2 Water Lane, Bures, Essex, CO8

A listed village house with history, charm and presence

ABOUT THIS HOUSE
Tucked behind a high red-brick wall and electric gates, Secretaries is a house of quiet grandeur. Sitting within just over an acre of walled garden in the village of Bures Hamlet, its presence is both commanding and utterly private. The Georgian frontage—complete with sash windows and a pedimented doorway—hides an older soul, its medieval timber frame still evident in places. There has been a house on this site for centuries, with echoes of Roman settlement and Tudor intrigue woven into its history.

Step inside this Grade II listed house, and the sense of legacy continues. The reception hall makes a statement—high ceilings, an elegant William and Mary staircase, and a glimpse of the garden beyond. South-facing sitting and dining rooms soak in the light, their period details intact. A handcrafted kitchen, anchored by a four-oven Aga, leads to a snug designed for quiet moments. And through the inner hall, French doors open onto the terrace—a perfect spot for coffee in the morning sun.

Upstairs, five double bedrooms stretch out across two wings, each with a story of its own. The principal bedroom, with its high ceilings and twin windows framing garden views, provides a peaceful retreat at the heart of the home. With four further bedrooms, including a separate west wing with its own bathroom, there’s ample space for a growing family to spread out—whether that’s giving teenagers their own domain, hosting guests in comfort, or creating a private space for live-in support.
Above, a heritage staircase leads to an attic space, perfect for additional storage.

Across the courtyard, the Coach House is a treasure in itself. A Georgian structure meticulously restored, it is now a fabulous office with countryside views, air conditioning, and ultra-fast broadband. Below, a spacious garage and two generous rooms offer scope for reinvention.

Beyond the buildings, the garden tells its own tale. There are mature trees around the lawns, while beech hedging and a large sun terrace frame the space.

Secretaries is more than a house. It is a piece of history, carefully preserved, ready for its next chapter.

ABOUT THIS AREA
There’s something special about Bures. Straddling the Essex-Suffolk border along the River Stour, it is a village rich in history, community spirit, and natural beauty. The surrounding landscape—made famous by John Constable’s paintings—remains as picturesque as ever, with rolling farmland, meandering waterways, and endless walking trails that weave through the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Despite its peaceful, rural setting, Bures is remarkably well-connected. Connecting trains from the village station reach London Liverpool Street in just over an hour, while Colchester and Sudbury are a short drive away. The village itself has a thriving community, with an excellent local shop, a much-loved pub, and an active calendar of events, from farmers’ markets to weekend football clubs for children and regattas on the river.
For those who love the outdoors, the area offers spectacular walking, cycling, and horse-riding routes, while the River Stour provides opportunities for paddleboarding, fishing, and boating. Further afield, the historic towns of Lavenham and Long Melford are brimming with independent shops, galleries, and places to eat.
With its strong sense of community, unspoiled countryside, and easy access to London, it is understandable why Bures is a popular destination to live.