Main Road, Ford End, Nr Chelmsford, Essex, CM3

A charming and spacious Grade II listed, three/four bedroom cottage with three generous receptions, set centrally within delightful formal and cottage gardens. Extensive south facing courtyard, double garage with workshop and detached outbuilding with varied potential uses subject to planning consent. Walking distance to Ford End C of E primary school (OFSTED rating GOOD). Chelmsford mainline station (16 mins). EPC Exempt.

EXTERNALLY

To the rear of The Old Smithy there is off street parking for 5 vehicles via a cobbled driveway, which is served by a substantial double garage and adjoining workshop. To the other side of the driveway is a gated access into the kitchen garden and a further detached weatherboarded, thatched outbuilding/barn. This is currently used as utility and storage, however, could become fantastic ancillary accommodation to the main house if required, subject to the usual planning consent. This former stable block would also house a classic car or could even be linked to the main house via a glass walkway, again subject to the relevant consents.

An extensive south facing courtyard is located between the main house and outbuildings, providing outdoor seating areas and additional access into the garage and workshop via a stable door and indeed the previously mentioned detached thatched barn. The courtyard is also gated with steps leading down to a brick pathway. Gates are also located at either end opening to the varied and interesting sections of garden that surround this charming cottage.

These wonderful grounds are protected by established hedging and have been extremely well considered in their landscaping with beautifully established and well planted beds, gravel pathways, formal lawns, specimen trees and hedging. A beautiful pergola with established wisteria, and further gravelled seating area are located to the rear with an established kitchen garden tucked away to the southern boundary, served by a potting shed and greenhouse.

INTERNALLY

A beautiful kitchen/breakfast room is accessed from the courtyard via a stable door and is fully fitted with electric fired Aga, original brick flooring and lovely views onto the gardens and courtyard. The adjoining dining room offers exposed timbers with a dual aspect to both the front and rear gardens and a stunning exposed brick inglenook fireplace with inset feature fire. A discreet doorway off the dining room gives access to a second stairwell and ground floor office, previously used as a fourth single ground floor bedroom with its own cloakroom. It is important to note that the office has its own external access to the side garden. The dining room also gives access to the main turning stairwell to the first floor bedrooms and lobby to the front with external access to the courtyard. This section also provides a substantial ground floor family shower room which is part vaulted with tiled flooring and generous shower. The beautiful main drawing room is also dual aspect onto the front and rear gardens, again offering beautiful, exposed timbers and generous open fireplace with a French style woodburner, protected by a stone hearth. The eccentric “pub” is located beyond the sitting room with part vaulted ceiling, copper plated bar with seating and further small dining area which benefits from the previously mentioned terrace/courtyard to the south.

To the first floor there are three very generous bedrooms. Of note, the part vaulted master bedroom which is dual aspect onto the front and rear gardens benefitting from an abundance of light and lovely views. Bedroom two is located in the centre of the house and again offers a dual aspect to the front and rear garden, part vaulted ceiling, extensive wardrobe space and ensuite bathroom.

Bedroom three is also a good size double and is accessed from bedroom two. It does however also benefit from its own independent stairwell and can therefore be blocked off from bedroom two if required.