Conservatory Garden Garage Open fire Off-street parking Central heating

House Description:

If you don't like new builds and much prefer an older house with character, quirky details, original features including old bowing lead lights with a ‘park like' garden, then our home will be of interest. My Wife and I have preserved and improved the original building and wooded conservatory, again with matching leadlight windows.

Our elevated property is within a culd-e-sac of similar houses, adjacent to Rayleigh tennis club, close the main high street which is traditional with a Norman church and pre-Saxon mount at one end. The highest point in Essex, and one of many country pubs is 10minutes walk away and the main arterial road to London is 2 minutes by car.

Orchard Avenue and Elizabeth Avenue were once a Roman vineyard converted to an Orchard prior to the houses being built in 1952. For this reason we have an old apple tree in the front garden and 2 apples with a large pear tree in the rear garden. The rear garden is secluded, boarded by a beech hedge, tall fir trees, several beech trees and 3 rhododendrons amongst many other mature shrubs around a meandering lawn. To one side next to the rear terrace are 2 ponds with a connecting natural looking waterfall. Beyond the ponds is a ‘secret' walkway covered over by tall shrubs and a wisteria. The garden is lit by discreet lamps fed from a switch in the kitchen.

The rear lounge window, study and conservatory look out into the garden so entertaining in both good and inclement weather is always possible.

The front garden is also secluded with 2 mature hedges either side, the original brick front wall and working wrought iron gates. A driveway that accepts 2 cars meets our garage, front porch and lounge bay window. The porch is arched by mature piracanthias adjacent to mature shrubs in-front of the lounge window. A grass area meets a cobbled pathway to two sides which surrounds the property and leads to a wrought iron side gate covered with both clematis and honeysuckle. This leads to the back garden.

The entrance is via a traditional timber door with bottle glass view panel next to a leaded light window. The hall, leads through glass panel doors to the breakfast room and Lounge and stairs lead off up to the bedrooms. The original parquet floor is still kept in good condition and the panelled staircase base has a large concealed cupboard beneath. Within this cupboard is a fully operational security system which covers the whole house using PIR sensors and door contacts. The 3 landing staircase has matching timber spindles and newal posts.

We believe the lounge is a great entertaining space with a bay leaded light front window, 2 leaded windows to the side elevation and large leaded windows with double doors to the rear terrace. A traditional brick built fireplace and hearth is the centrepiece for both relaxing and eating as we have a 6/8 seat table in the bay window. A large cornice and original parquet floor help to show this room off to its best.
The breakfast room has an original brick fireplace and hearth and beamed Hemlock timber ceiling and matching wall timbers. Plenty of room for 4 to 6 people for breakfast.

A panelled peninsular kitchen unit with vertical timber beam divides the breakfast room from the kitchen and utility area.

The kitchen has 2 leaded light windows on two aspects viewing the rear garden. A fully fitted kitchen in washed white timber with Atag gas hob, electric oven, double sink (overlooking the garden) and fridge storage surrounds the kitchen with a concealed Potterton boiler within a special tall built-in kitchen unit. This services the property with hot water and the gas fired heating system. The white tiled floor extends into the adjacent utility area. This has matching units containing a washing machine, spin dryer and freezer. The surfaces are lit from wall units that include leaded glass units.

From the kitchen there is an external door to the back garden with a door to the study and conservatory and downstairs cloakroom.

The cloakroom is off a small lobby to the internal rear garage door. This has a toilet and built in sink, affectingly known as our blue room.

The study has a bay fronted leaded light window and currently has 2 desks serviced by phone, fax and broadband. The best space is in the bay window which allows a full view of the rear garden.

Through double doors you are taken to the timber constructed leaded light conservatory which is a unique design to match the property. The floor is solid timber and the double doors lead out into the garden from a small cobbled terrace which matches the surrounding pathways.

Back to the staircase and up to the second landing which leads to the 3rd bedroom with leaded light windows both to front and back elevations. This is built on two levels with a bedroom section and lower dressing area (currently used as a small gymnasium). There is a purpose made single 4 poster bed within the bedroom space which our Daughter used when we were much younger!

Back onto the landing and up two steps to the 3rd landing when the 2 bedrooms and bathroom are found.

The bathroom is built into the eaves with an unusual corner feature and a Jacuzzi double bath and overhead shower built into one side of the bathroom. Between the bath and sink/toilet area is an emersion heater and storage cupboard. The sink has a purpose built cheery timber vanity unit with a scroll columns sitting above a timber floor. A small coloured leaded light window allows light into the room to enhance the low voltage inset lights and original single beam light within the ceiling.


Double bedroom 2 sits at the back of the upper floor with a leaded light window to the rear garden. Currently being used as a sitting and craft room with sofa bed, small work surface and TV linked to the satellite system, as is the master bedroom.

The master bedroom has a front elevation with leaded light window. Both bedrooms on this level have eves cupboards and this room has another over the stairs so there is plenty of storage space.

The current word for us wishing to move is ‘downsizing' else we would be happy to remain in this comfortable and character filled property for many years to come.