THE PROPERTY Enjoying a secluded position within its own seventeen acre estate comprised of natural woodland, landscaped gardens and natural ponds this magnificent Tudor style country manor house offers a wide range of accommodation, extending to 11,000 sq. ft. and fitted throughout to provide a luxurious yet comfortable family home. There are eight bedrooms and bathrooms, sufficient for family and guests to stay in comfort. The formal main drawing room and dining hall are elegantly furnished for entertaining and formal dining, whilst the sitting room, study, kitchen /family room and orangery provide well appointed every day living spaces. Leisure time is well catered for with a fabulous 60' mural lined swimming hall, gym, home cinema. The basement area provides for the practical side of living with laundry room, wine store and boiler room. An L shaped oak built cart lodge has six vehicle bays with room above that was formally used to run a business from home but having a shower room, it could be used as guest space or for live-in staff. workshop/tractor shed and a first floor home office or self contained staff annexe.

OWNERS COMMENTS This magnificent 8-bedroom country house, which is enveloped within it own secluded gardens and grounds extending to around seventeen and a half acres, occupies a coveted location in the glorious Essex countryside, within the pretty village of Wickham Bishops.

The house was beautifully designed and built in the 1990s, but has the look and feel of a period manor house and so blends effortlessly with its stunning rural surroundings. The current owner says that as well as the grand proportions and elegant interior design of the property, it was indeed the tranquillity and seclusion of the glorious countryside setting that proved to be one of the biggest selling points. The family have enjoyed utter peace and privacy, cocooned within the splendid private grounds, however they have also enjoyed the added benefits of superb local transport links, being in close proximity to a fantastic array of amenities and having easy access into central London – the mainline station at nearby Witham operates a direct service into Liverpool Street, with a journey time only forty-five minutes.

The accommodation within this outstanding house extends to almost 11,000 sq.ft, but the owner comments that it is a real family home with a very warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout. Each of the rooms is sumptuously decorated, and features such as the huge inglenook and heavily beamed ceiling in the formal dining room give the house real character and charm. The property also boasts an indoor swimming pool, a gym and home cinema, and nestled within the sprawling gardens and grounds are a tennis court, vast swathes of woodland and even a helicopter pad. It's a property that has afforded the current owners an exceptional quality of life – and the children an idyllic childhood – and it is a place that they have enjoyed sharing with family and friends, as both the house itself and the beautiful ground are both extremely conducive to entertaining.

Favourite room: "It's hard to choose a favourite room; they are all so lovely," says the owner. "However, I love spending time in the huge main reception room. It has five large windows so it's wonderfully light and bright, and although a very elegant room, it also has a really homely feel."

Favourite aspect of the grounds or surrounding area: "We live in our very own slice of paradise where we enjoy utter peace and privacy, and where we're surrounded by nothing but natural beauty. However, what makes it so very unique is the fact that we can hop in the car in within jus a matter of minutes we can access absolutely everything we could possibly want or need."

Memorable event (if not another favourite room or unique feature): "We have everything here: a cinema, home gym, a tennis court and the swimming pool is something that the whole family has enjoyed – I swim every single day. Not only is it a very luxurious feature, but the room itself is stunningly beautiful."

What they'll miss most / why they are leaving: "People say we are so lucky to live here, and we couldn't agree more," says the owner. "It's been a wonderful family home and a place where we've enjoyed such a lovely lifestyle. But it's time for us to move on to a new chapter in our lives, and for another family to fill this house and really make it their own."

LOCATION Fernbrook Hall it situated within its own corner of Mope Lane, on the western edge of the village of Wickham Bishops just a short distance from the Benton Hall Golf and Country Club. The village has the usual village amenities including shops and public houses, and there is a wider selection of shops at the market towns of Witham and Maldon and the large variety of outlets at Chelmsford shopping centres. For the commuter there is a mainline station at Witham with direct links to London Liverpool Street and there are access points onto the A12 trunk roads.

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