Occupying a prominent position in the heart of Earls Colne, The Old Dairy is a particularly attractive Grade II listed village house offering an excellent combination of substantial accommodation, period character and modern-day practicality.
The property forms part of a building of considerable historic interest. Historic England records 83 and 85 High Street as an early 15th-century timber-framed hall house, subsequently altered during the 16th century and later periods. Of particular note are the exposed structural timbers, substantial chimney stacks and evidence of the building's long evolution over several centuries.
The accommodation is arranged over two floors and extends to approximately 2,402 sq ft, with a further detached garage, providing a surprisingly generous and versatile home within the centre of the village.
The front door opens into a characterful reception area where exposed timber framing immediately gives a sense of the property's history. This leads through to a comfortable snug, a particularly appealing room with exposed wall and ceiling timbers together with a brick fireplace and stove.
The principal sitting room is another substantial reception space, again displaying exposed beams and centred around an impressive brick inglenook-style fireplace. An opening connects the sitting room with the dining room, creating an excellent arrangement for entertaining whilst retaining clearly defined individual rooms.
Beyond is the kitchen/breakfast room, fitted with an extensive range of contemporary cabinetry and offering ample space for informal dining. The room enjoys an outlook towards the courtyard garden and provides direct access outside, making it particularly practical for day-to-day family living.
Adjacent to the kitchen is a further room currently arranged as a study, although its proportions and position make it equally suitable as an occasional fourth bedroom, hobbies room or additional reception space. French doors open directly onto the garden.
A ground-floor cloakroom/utility area completes the accommodation on this level.
The staircase rises to a galleried first-floor landing from which the principal bedroom suite is approached. The principal bedroom retains attractive exposed timbers and is complemented by a particularly generous dressing room, fitted with extensive storage.
The adjoining en-suite bathroom is finished to an impressive standard and incorporates both a freestanding bath and separate shower together with twin wash basins.
There are two further first-floor bedrooms, both displaying further character features including exposed timberwork and partially vaulted ceilings. These are served by a separate shower room.
Outside
The property is approached from the High Street, with a driveway running alongside the house and providing vehicular access to a substantial parking area at the rear.
This in turn leads to the detached garage, measuring approximately 20' x 18', providing excellent parking, storage or workshop space.
The rear garden has been arranged as an attractive, predominantly low-maintenance courtyard garden with a south-easterly aspect. Paved seating and entertaining areas are complemented by gravelled sections, established planting, raised beds and mature shrubs, creating a sheltered outside space that can be enjoyed without the upkeep associated with a large traditional garden.
Location
Earls Colne is a popular and well-served North Essex village offering an excellent range of everyday amenities including shops, cafés and public houses, together with schooling, medical facilities and recreational opportunities.
The nearby villages of Coggeshall and Marks Tey provide further facilities, with Marks Tey offering a mainline railway station with services towards London Liverpool Street. Colchester, Braintree and Halstead are also readily accessible.
Being positioned directly within the village centre, The Old Dairy is particularly convenient for those wishing to enjoy village life with amenities close at hand.
Historical Note
Historic England identifies the building as an early 15th-century timber-framed hall house, altered during the mid-16th century and subsequently during the 20th century. The listing refers to two former cross wings, an inserted first floor dating from around 1540, stop-chamfered beams and some reused smoke-blackened rafters within the raised roof structure. The property was formally Grade II listed in June 1962.
*This mortgage calculator is provided for general information purposes only. It's intended to provide you with an estimate of your potential mortgage payments and does not constitute an offer of finance or advice. The calculations are based on the information you provide and do not take into account your individual needs and circumstances.
The calculator does not include all the costs you will need to pay when taking out a mortgage. Your actual mortgage payments may be higher or lower than the estimates provided by this calculator. The interest rates used in the calculations are subject to change and may not reflect the actual rates available in the market.
Please note that the calculator does not consider changes in interest rates over time, early repayment charges, or any other fees and charges that may apply to your mortgage. You should always seek professional advice before making any financial decisions.
Remember, your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
| Tax Band | % | Taxable Sum | Tax |
|---|
Your estimated gross rental yield would be:
