6 Bedroom detached house ● Lexden ● £1,695,000 (Guide Price)

Set in beautiful gardens and filled with light The Red House in Lexden has been home to the same family for over 50 years. The current owners part bought part inherited the Edwardian property 15 years ago & have renovated it to an exceptional standard, enhancing its architectural beauty and making the most of its magnificent situation. "My husband's parents bought it 54 years ago from the people who built it. My husband grew up here and our own children have always known & loved the house. For me the house is all about the light, the garden, & the magical woodland. The house is flooded with light because of its east west orientation & large south facing bays. The lovely windows allow numerous stunning views of the garden & woodland. The wood has been a fantastic playground for the children growing up, with even their own hill for tobogganing with friends on snow days off from school. We often use the wood for walking and has been ideal for bonfire parties, family summer lunches, evening drinks, and even the occasional summer dinner party."

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Like many properties in this sought after corner of Lexden, The Red House was built within the extensive parkland of a Victorian estate. " This means we have some incredible, well established trees, including many oaks which are well over 450 years old. We also have thousands of wonderful narcissi from mid February through to mid April when they are replaced by a sea of bluebells." The woodland once contained an original Swiss chalet which was the summer house of the Victorian estate, and also includes an Iron Age Dyke, home to all sorts of wild life. " It is a very private & peaceful home, " she adds " One of my favourite places is the charming veranda where you can sit in the sunlight at the end of the day and look out over the garden, down to the woods."

DESIGNER TOUCHES
After moving in the couple set about upgrading the house. Their aim was to retain its character whilst also creating beautiful interiors. " I am a designer and have aimed to maximise the light and the beautiful spaces of the house. I have changed the principle rooms from the front to the back of the house in order to fully enjoy the views of the garden from the house. I have used muted Designer paint colours throughout, as a back drop for our art work & eclectic mix of furniture. " Among the many attractive rooms is the en suite master bathroom which has been hand painted, loosely based on an Orla Kiely pattern, with furniture designed by the owner. There are solid oak floors downstairs which compliment the attractive arts & crafts staircase & high ceilings.

LIGHT FANTASTIC
The Red House opens into an elegant central reception hall which gives on to the family room, study and drawing room, kitchen, dining and living room. There is access to the veranda from a half glazed door from the hall. There is a ground floor utility room and a separate cloakroom, together with stairs down to the cellar which has standing height and a window. " I love the kitchen, dining and living area, with its two sets of French doors which lead directly into the garden. This room catches the morning sunlight from the front & in the afternoon the evening light from the back of the house. The drawing room which has a west facing bay & two south facing windows also has lovely light."

FAMILY HOME
The first floor features four bedrooms and the family bathroom. The guest room has an ensuite shower room and the spacious master bedroom enjoys a sumptuous en suite bathroom. Two further bedrooms are located on the second floor. " There is a door from the master bedroom on to the balcony, also accessed from the landing and another bedroom. We use it for morning tea in the summer but the children had great fun here often sunbathing in the summer. " The Red House has been the backdrop to so many special occasions from family Christmas and Easter celebrations to garden & bonfire parties, games of football & sleepovers. " Until recen

SETTING THE SCENE

The Red House is set back from the road in magnificent mature parkland gardens. The property has an attractive in - out driveway and a detached, two storey, original garage. There are places to sit out in the sunshine and for outside entertaining. The house has its own extensive woodland with an Iron Age Dyke which is an historical monument. " Looking out over the garden is as beautiful in the winter as it is in the spring and summer. You can look down towards the Dyke and see the setting sun with the light streaming through the winter trees."

WHATS NEARBY

The property is a short stroll into the town centre with good shopping facilities, restaurants, cinema and galleries. It is within easy reach of Offstead outstanding schools, Colchester County High School for Girls and Colchester Royal Grammar school two of the top schools in the country. There is also a range of excellent private and state schools, St. Mary's, Oxford House and the Sixth Form College. The house benefits from being within the Hamilton Road Primary school catchment area.

WITHIN EASY REACH

The A12 which connects with the M25, heads south towards London or North to Ipswich. Stanstead, the nearest airport is a 50 minute drive away. Towards the Essex and Suffolk border is ' Constable Country' a landscape immortalised by the great painter John Constable. The popular Suffolk coastline of Aldeburgh and Southwold are also within easy reach.

• Property reference CWR080211668
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