Location

Chelmsford City Centre: 0.5 miles; Chelmsford station: 0.5 mile (Liverpool Street from 34 minutes); A12 (Junction 15): 2.6 miles; M25 (Junction 28): 13 miles; Stansted Airport: 19 miles; Canary Wharf: 35 miles. All distances approximate.

Chelmer House sits in a conservation area only about half a mile from the centre of Chelmsford, with easy access to the A12 and the mainline station to London Liverpool Street. The city provides an excellent choice of amenities including a bustling shopping centre, three private preparatory schools (two of which are situated on New London Road), two grammar schools and a well-known independent school (New Hall). Moulsham Street, with its independent pubs, bars and eateries lies with about a quarter of a mile.

The House has an interesting history, in 1908 it appears as commercial premises for the first time. At the turn of the 20th century the land and probably the substantial outbuilding are noted as being used for motorcar repairs and auction house, this continued until the mid-1950s. The property then came into use for the WRVS as many people will recall was the local driving test centre. The current owners had a full programme of restoration carried out over the last 10 years including a magnificent full width kitchen/family room, home cinema and 1,200 sq ft garden barn.

The house occupies a large plot of around 0.42 acre and is conveniently situated near the city centre, rail station, major road links, schools and universities. Constructed in 1878 of gault brick relieved by deep windows under a slate roof the house is one of the landmark buildings in Chelmsford's conservation area. Chelmer House has many attractive features associated with the Victorian period exemplified by a fine pammet tiled reception hall, spacious reception rooms with high ceilings and original feature fireplaces. The bedrooms lie over two floors with up to 6 in total, serviced by 4 bath or shower rooms. On the ground floor there is a very useful facility of a potential annexe area utilising the family room and the adjoining en suite shower room.

Description

Chelmer house has been the subject of a thoughtful programme of restoration and improvements over the past 10 years. Providing four floors including a basement, the house is designed to be versatile, ideal for the larger family or multi-generational living. Within the garden is a large steel framed former warehouse, now restored, and used as garaging and a workshop. Highly regarded schools are situated in New London Road, Widford and Broomfield Road, and the rail station is approximately within a mile of the house.

The house is approached through an impressive hallway featuring a traditional tiled floor and incorporating a fine staircase. There are stairs down to a basement, used as a gym, and at the end of the hall is a study area. At the front of the house lies a single level 'annexe' suite comprising a family room/bedroom with an en-suite bathroom. On the opposite side of the house the lounge has large, shuttered bay windows and features a fireplace and high ceiling. At the centre of the house is a sound-proofed home cinema fitted by 'Rayleigh Hi-Fi' The room has split level floor with 8 'lazy-boy' chairs, starlight ceiling, and a screen with a projector. A dining room adjoins the kitchen which has a wood effect floor, shadow lighting and a high ceiling, a very useful and spacious room. Adjacent is a large, fitted utility room and a cloakroom.

Pride of place goes to the magnificent 'Westbury' orangery spanning the full width of the house, some 32'. The whole room has a marble styled floor with under heating and air-conditioning. Tall windows and doors frame lovely vistas over the gardens and provide a great deal of natural light. The kitchen is bespoke with white shaker style units and contrasting grey granite tops wrapped around a substantial island. Integrated appliances include larder style fridge, freezer and wine cooler which are all 'Sub-Zero', a 'Neff' 5 burner hob and two integrated dishwashers.

The first floor has a galleried landing, stairs to the second floor and an airing cupboard. The principal bedroom suite has an en suite dressing room and bathroom. There are three further bedrooms and two bathrooms (one en suite) on this floor. The second floor is currently designed and used as an apartment, some 600 sq ft in size with a double bedroom, bathroom, and dressing room.

Outside
The house has a frontage to New London Road of about 85 ft, retained by a high stock brick wall with an in/out drive. The gravelled parking and drive provide parking for several cars, the drive passes through the side gate into further parking and a 'roundabout' next to a substantial barn. This was a former warehouse, of steel framed construction, used as a secure storage for cars and cloakroom. The garden has been thoughtfully landscaped and designed for entertaining and al fresco dining.

There is also an outside 'office' which is fully equipped, and has power and internet connection.

Glazing
The front windows have been glazed commercially graded glass. This provides excellent sound proofing and energy efficiency.

Services
All main services connected. Solar panels. Some air-conditioning.

Local Authority
Chelmsford City Council. Tax band: G, with improvement indicator.

Directions

From Chelmsford town centre and Parkway proceed south-west on the A1099 (New London Road). Continue for approximately half a mile and the house will be found on the left hand side.