Colchester Road, Peldon, Colchester, CO5 7QJ

This 1993-constructed property offers living space that totals 3240 square feet. The ground-floor centres around a light entrance which has full-height windows (that also provide light to the first-floor study/landing).

The 19 foot sitting-room has beautifully crafted, bespoke, oak floorboards with additional oak detailing. This room has direct access to an octagonal brick-built orangery which is a most pleasant environment for entertaining and provides the access to a hidden, subterranean wine-cellar (see photographs). There is a laundry shoot from the first floor to the utility room.

The farmhouse-style kitchen/breakfast room is equipped with every necessary appliance including two sinks, a dishwasher and an oil-fired Aga. There is also a breakfast bar, granite surfaces, French doors to a patio and access to a useful utility-room.

On the first-floor there are three bedrooms with the family bathroom having doors to both the landing and a bedroom (enabling it to be used as an en-suite if required). One of these rooms enjoys distant views of Mersea Island quarters.

The ground-floor lobby provides a link between what would logically be considered the main house and what could be, if required, an annex or a holiday let. With this possibility in mind, the utility room could act as suitable kitchen.

As the site plan shows, this property sits toward the southern end of a plot of land that measures around three acres. This includes areas of private lawn, two ponds, a large field which (if fenced) would suit equestrian use, a stable block, and a cart lodge.  

SELLERS INSIGHT
In the early nineties, my husband and I were living in Shenfield when we acquired a business in Peldon and decided we needed to be based in the area as well. We had the option to gain planning permission on the land we owned nearby and agreed we wanted to take on a project to build our own home. Working with a local architect, our key criteria was to not only design and build a house in keeping with its surroundings, but to build a high-quality home using only local trades and skilled craftsmen. The final design became a thatched barn-style property combining traditional features with all the facilities for modern day living.

All aspects of the house have been custom made and built to last, from each individual window and door; the hardwood kitchen and cherrywood family bathroom down to the spindles on the staircase - each hand turned by a local wood turner. The octagonal orangery was built as an added feature and now accommodates our spiral wine cellar, complete with humidifier to ensure the wines are stored at the correct temperature. The build took over two years to complete, and became a labour of love, but we were finally left with a beautiful home, designed to meet all our needs, with plenty of room for our growing family.

The house, and its location, has proved to be ideal for our family with generous space for our two boys as they grew, both inside and outside. We sit on three acres of grounds so, when they were young, we had a cricket pitch set up and even created a mini golf course, so my husband could teach them to play. This is a fantastic area for children and teenagers in terms of things to do and transport links to schools or activities. As the boys became more independent, they were able to catch the bus outside the house to travel to their sailing club in Mersea, or to Colchester to meet up with friends; and the self-contained annexe proved a popular choice to move into when they were old enough!

There are a number of things I will miss when I leave; this house is both spacious enough to host large parties and events, of which we have had many, but also cosy and welcoming. The view from my bedroom window across the marshland to West Mersea is very special, I never close my curtains and wake up to that spectacle every morning. Sadly, the house has now become too large for me to run on my own and it's time for another family to enjoy what it has to offer. 

LOCATION Rose Barn is located just on the outskirts of Peldon village which enjoys a tight knit community feel thanks to its recent addition of a new village hall which serves a variety of social events that include history talks and leisure activities. The Plough at Peldon, a family run pub, serves as a local meeting point for many in the village and with other eating establishments located in the surrounding area of Tolleshunt Knights, you are never too far away from something to do. The proximity to Mersea Islands offers enjoyable days out as well as an active lifestyle thanks to the prominent sailing facilities that are present. In addition, with the Company Shed; known locally for its fantastic fresh seafood dishes, being less than a ten minute drive away, Rose Barn is evidently positioned in an ideal spot for a range of activities and tastes