House For Sale £750,000
Western Avenue, Brentwood, Essex

SELLERS INSIGHT We moved to this house when our son was just a toddler. We only intended to stay for 3 years, but we found living here was perfect for us, and are so we still here now.

We stayed not only because of the light and space the house offers, but also because of the location. The high street, coffee bars, Sainsburys, and local shops are a short walk. We are only a few minutes walk from Merrymeade House and Country Park, and just a short drive to South Weald, Thorndon and Childerditch country parks. There are lots of green spaces and woodlands within a few minutes walk which are great for walking the dog.

Some of our neighbours have been here even longer than us and there are a couple of young families who have recently moved in. Everyone is friendly and help each other out when needed.

The neighbourhood and community feel is great, we have so many friends here and it is so convenient for everything. Plus it has lots of parking and a double garage. We moved here from a small cottage and because we wanted more space. We wanted to stay in this area because it is such a great location, and we found this house just across the road from where we lived! The house was so light and airy and had a large garden which was great for our young son, and the fact that it is also detached was another benefit.

This has been a great house for raising our family. Locally the schools are outstanding, and most are in easy walking distance. The families are friendly and there are lots of activities and kid's clubs. In the summer there are picnic days on Shenfield common, and in the winter, it is fun to visit the reindeer and grotto in South Weald Park. Our son played football and we loved walking to the local parks watching the games most Sundays. The country parks are great spaces for children, we are a short walk to Hopefield Animal Sanctuary and a short drive to Old MacDonald's Farm which are both great days out for families. Brentwood leisure centre is nearby with lots of sporting facilities including a swimming pool and a really good gym. It has fantastic activities like kids clubs, gym tots and trampolining. It also holds shows and events throughout the year.


It is a short walk to Brentwood station, and now with the new Elizabeth Line getting to central London is just over half an hour on the train. The fast train is just fifteen minutes from Shenfield. The M25 is a short drive, and Stanstead airport is just half an hour away.

The house was built in the 1930s and the previous owners lived here for about 40 years. It's got lots of original features. Over the years we have extended and made lots of changes but have always tried to keep the original character. For example, we opened up the fireplace, we managed to find some reclaimed 1930's tiles that match exactly what was here originally. We spent weeks cleaning and restoring them, and they now look lovely in the fireplace and as though they have always been here.

This house would be perfect for a young couple or a growing family who want space to expand. It's a great house for socialising, and for family gatherings. It would also be great for an older couple looking for a house that is ready to move into and easy to maintain.

We have made a lot of changes over the years as we adapted the house to our growing needs. We added a large family room at the back of house which is a great space for parties and entertaining. It has a reclaimed brick wall, extra-large bifold doors and a wooden floor that was reclaimed from an art room of a Victorian school. This rooms opens onto a hardwood decked area which was reclaimed from an old pier in Suffolk. In the summer the doors are always open, and it really brings the outside in. We moved the kitchen into what was the old dining room, and this leads into the family room. We added a pocket door so the space can be open plan or closed off when needed. The old kitchen is now a spacious utility room, and we installed a downstairs loo under the stairs. We also extended up into the loft with a light and airy fourth bedroom with French doors and a Juliette balcony, and added a bathroom with a walk in shower.

The large family room is our favourite room to hang out in. It's such a versatile space, we have had lots of dinner parties and family gatherings. But also, we have used it as a photographic studio for our business, and I often use the room for teaching art therapy. It can easily seat up to 20 people and still have lots of room to move around. And in the warmer weather the doors are always wide open which connects the outdoor and indoor space seamlessly.

I think the thing we are proud of the overall feel of the house. People who come to visit often don't want to leave! They say they feel relaxed, and it feels like a very bright and happy house.

I particularly love the kitchen, I love to cook, and it is a proper cook's kitchen, with lots of space for my books and things, granite worktops, and two ovens one of which is also a steam oven that is great for baking bread.
We really love the garden. It has a beautiful, twisted willow which we planted as a twig, two lilac trees and a small vegetable patch. The fence is covered with a beautiful Virgina Creeper which is stunning in the autumn, as well as jasmine, honeysuckle and sweet pea. I do yoga most mornings on the deck, and often take my laptop outside to work. We installed electricity and a seating area during lockdown and spend a lot of time working outside when weather permits. The garden looks also lovely at night when the tree are lit up.

There is so much we will miss, friends and family and also my kitchen - but in particular I think I will miss cosy nights in front of the open fire.

We really love our house but now that our son has left home we have decided that it's time for a change, and we have decided to move to Spain for a new adventure.


 

THE PROPERTY Attractive arched porchway welcomes you to the property opening into entrance hall with access to the ground floor accommodation.

The sitting room is situated to the left offering plenty of character with feature fireplace and bay window.

Leading further down the hallway with ground floor cloakroom, utility room, opening to the modern kitchen with ample cupboards, space for appliances and worksurfaces. Sliding door to large bright family/garden room with bifold doors opening onto the rear garden.

Stairs from the hallway lead you to the first floor with three bedrooms and family bathroom. Further staircase from the landing leads you to the second floor occupied by the main bedroom, with its personal shower room French doors with Juliet Balcony.

OUTSIDE
The front of the property is enclosed by low brick wall with pathway , shingled areas with various shrubs and plant borders.

The well maintained rear garden measures approximately 90ft in length being mainly laid to lawn with decked area and various shrubs and trees. Paved area to the rear with gate access leading to hardstanding for off road parking and detached double garage. 

LOCATION Situated within close proximity to Brentwood's vibrant High Street offering an array of shops, bars and restaurants as well as highly regarded schools, sports centre and surrounding green spaces.

Great access to road links such as the M25, A12 and A127 also Brentwood's Train station is under a mile away with regular a service through to London Liverpool Street with Crossrail Elizabeth Line wiprovidingpassengers with direct access across London to Heathrow Airport.