Impressive manor house set in an elevated position overlooking the idyllic Glem Valley.
Moorhouse Farm is a stunning Grade II Listed country house believed to date from the 15th century when it is believed to have been built as a hunting lodge for Boxted Hall. The property is built of a timber frame and rendered with herringbone brickwork, under a peg tiled roof. Later additions were added in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the 19th century the property was refurbished in the Victorian mock gothic style.
A wealth of original features have been retained within the property such as sash windows, open fireplaces with decorative surrounds, open stud work, exposed timbers and wide oak floor boards. The property affords light and airy beautifully proportioned rooms with high ceilings. Of particular note is the large, high-status late-15th century parlour cross-wing of five bays to the right of its Victorian Mock Gothic facade. This wing initially adjoined an open hall on the left and preserves a fine ogee-moulded ceiling in its front parlour with a decorated crown-post in the chamber above.
Set within a wonderfully private, elevated position the property offers spacious and flexible accommodation set over three floors. The ground floor accommodation comprises of a handsome reception hall with staircase to the first floor and landing above. The hall gives access to the impressive drawing room which benefits from an open fireplace with original Georgian alcoves, a bay window and French doors out onto the terrace. Beyond the drawing room along the eastern elevation lies the study. The sitting room is another lovely room which boasts decorative carved original beams, a wood burning stove and a bay window. The rear hall gives access through to the cellar, cloakroom/boot room and dining room. The dining room has wide doors out onto the south facing terrace, perfect for al fresco dining, and walled garden. The dining room also leads through to the bespoke wooden kitchen with a range of base and wall mounted units, larder, a four door AGA and island as well as a secondary staircase. The utility room and snug/ office, with doors out to the terrace, are both reached via the kitchen.
The first floor landing leads through to the principal bedroom with dressing room and bath/shower room. There are a further four bedrooms on the first floor, one with an en suite bathroom and a further family bathroom and a separate shower room. The second floor attic room, currently used as a playroom/ den, is very spacious and provides scope for additional bedroom/s with en suites. The majority of the bedrooms have fantastic views out across the gardens and surrounding countryside.
Outside
The property is approached along a long private concrete lane leading to the house, which has a gravelled driveway providing parking for numerous vehicles. The front garden is mainly laid to lawn with an attractive brick and flint wall. The grounds are a key feature of the property enjoying a parklike setting with a millennium wood, a wild flower meadow, pond area and two paddocks, all of which abuts open countryside. The formal walled gardens, directly behind the house, are well laid out with established planting, two terraces, apple orchard, kitchen garden with cedar greenhouse and fruit cage. The pool area is very secluded and has a pool house with a WC, shower and sauna and is heated by an air source heat pump.
Outbuilding
The wide range of outbuildings consist of four stables, the Old Dairy, which could easily be converted into a guest cottage subject to the necessary consents being obtained. There are further workshops and garage as well as a vast timber framed barn measuring approximately 40 meters. A full sized astro-turf tennis court lies within the stable yard setting.
Agents note: There are covenants relating to the outbuildings contact the agent for further details.
View payable Stamp Duty for this property
A wonderfully private, elevated country house offering spacious and flexible accommodation over three floors. I was also delighted with the parklike setting which includes a woodland, a wild flower meadow and two paddocks along with extensive outbuildings.
Tom OrfordProperty agent