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24 January 2002
The construction of The Hall at Wickham Bishops, the largest and most luxurious country house to be built in Essex in recent times, is at the ideal stage for A buyer to influence the interior design and features of their future home. Countryside Properties, who designed and created The Hall, started building work in August and the elegant property is now clearly taking shape.
The Hall has been carefully designed to echo a historic, Georgian country house, that has evolved and been added to over time. Though the structure and internal layout is in place, many internal features and the interior design could still be adapted, meaning the residence can be tailored specifically to meet the taste and the needs of the new owners.
Helen Moore, Sales and Marketing Director for Countryside Properties, comments, "The Hall in itself is a most unique residence, and the new owner has the opportunity to really put their own identity on it. The large rooms and period features provide the shell of a magnificent home, which the new owner can capitalise upon by customising the interior to their own taste, before they move in."
The Hall in itself is a most unique residence, and the new owner has the opportunity to really put their own identity on it.
Helen Moore, Sales and Marketing Director for Countryside Properties
Helen explains, "Now is the ideal time to buy because at this stage of the construction process, certain features of the internal design can still be changed or adapted. For example, the future owner may choose the kitchen to best suit their lifestyle, whether it features clean, contemporary lines and state of the art appliances, or has a magnificent, traditional country house design with a large, homely range-style cooker. Countryside's Selections team can organise luxurious upgrades ranging from a full interior design package; flooring options to suit the purchaser's own requirements ranging from limestone to solid wood; enhanced exterior lighting to the property to create a real sense of arrival; through to providing the cabling for multi-room hi-fi and home cinema."
The Hall is built on the site of a former equestrian estate, Glebe Farm, and is set in 26 acres of land, providing spectacular views of the countryside from the main house. The Hall will be the newest addition to the attractive village of Wickham Bishops and is adjacent to a golf course. It is an imposing residence at the end of a sweeping gravel drive with a formal landscaped approach.
The Georgian style home has authentic classical features such as timber sash windows, large rooms with high ceilings and stunning open fireplaces, yet the property will suffer none of the problems that can come with old country homes, which need high maintenance or renovation.
In order to create the impression that it has evolved and been extended over the years, the main part of The Hall is built in soft red brick with hand made clay roof tiles and the two wings of the house have then been finished in a contrasting rich cream render. Inside, rooms include a spacious kitchen with a separate dog room, a pantry and a laundry room; a grand entrance hall with sweeping stone staircase; and a master bedroom suite with ensuite bathroom, dressing room and balcony. In the downstairs study there is even a spiral stone staircase leading to an underground wine cellar. There is also an entire leisure wing, which will comprise an indoor swimming pool, a spa pool, a sauna and a substantial gym / function room with a small kitchen for entertaining. Above this is a spacious self-contained flat, suitable for staff or independent family members.
Wickham Bishops is near Witham, in Essex, less than 50 miles from central London. It is within three miles of the A12 between Chelmsford and Colchester, with direct road and rail links to the M25 and Central London. Direct trains run from Witham BR station to London Liverpool Street (journey time approx. 45 minutes) and London Stansted airport is only 23 miles away.
The Hall is available for sale through Hawksley Pearce, telephone: 01621 893 589 and Strutt and Parker, telephone: 01245 258 201. Offers in excess of £3.25 million.
Countryside Properties' website is at: www.countryside-properties.com
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Information correct as at 29/08/2007