House For Sale £1,000,000
SELLERS INSIGHT Caterpillar Cottage has been our family home for the past 2.5 years, when we saw it we just feel in love with the place. After that, there was no other house in the running, we knew we'd found our new family home!
We made our offer the very same day we viewed. We just had to.
The location is picture perfect, so idyllic for the quintessential country life that we were so looking for. We're in the midst of a Grade 2 listed area where all the properties are lovely and so full of character. Set in the heart of the Essex countryside, it's surrounded by lots of options for walking the dogs or grabbing a bite to eat at a country pub somewhere. And yet it's ideally situated for accessing the A12 or Marks Tey train station for the commuter, both being 6 minutes drive away, or Colchester centre 15 minutes away for the shopping, restaurants and local historical sites. The highly sought after private and grammar schools on offer are all serviced by a regular bus route accessible from right outside the gates - perfect for our children's daily school commute!
The main house, Caterpillar Cottage, is only 18 years old but you wouldn't know it - it was so full of charm we couldn't help but be smitten with it – from the high vaulted lounge ceiling that comfortably hosts our enormous Christmas trees, to the view of the garden through the master bedroom french doors whilst having your morning cup of tea in bed – who wouldn't want to live here?
We have lovingly renovated and refurbished the whole house, room by room, to provide a beautiful, modern family home, whilst also being respectful of the local area and in keeping with a traditional cottage style. We had a lot of fun designing rooms such as the kitchen, blending the old with the new - cottage style doors and wooden features with the huge quartz island and waterfall table that dominates the length of the room – the perfect base for entertaining friends at the many cocktail evenings enjoyed and those huge family gatherings for birthdays and Christmas!
We paid particular attention to the bathrooms too – creating all ensuite bedrooms – by adding a 'hotel' feel to the design with large double rainfall showers complete with recessed lighting and a seat. Ensuring one of the bathrooms remained as a full 4 piece suite with the addition of a full bath aswell as the separate shower.
Once the cottage was complete we moved on to the outbuildings – two 300 year old stable blocks – ideal for converting to additional guest accommodation or multi generational living options. We had our elderly parents and also our children in mind, so that we could offer a home to any of our family that might need it in the future. However, initially we've used them as holiday let accommodation generating a very healthy income, being incredibly popular with very few nights available over the past 12 months. A very easy business to run and manage from home whilst raising the children and taking care of the family!
We've so enjoyed the versatility and lifestyle that Caterpillar Cottage has afforded us over these past couple of years, and will be so sorry to say goodbye to her when we leave. But it is time now for another family to start their chapter here - we only hope they create as many beautifully unforgettable memories as we have.
THE PROPERTY Welcome to 'Caterpillar Cottage', a beautifully renovated and modernized property located in the highly desirable village of Aldham, just west of Colchester. Situated within easy reach of Tollgate retail park, which offers a wide range of shops, pubs, restaurants, and excellent schools, this property is ideal for families. The vibrant city center of Colchester is also easily accessible, providing numerous shopping options, attractions such as Colchester Castle, the museum, and the Mercury Theatre. Convenient transport links, including Colchester's north train station and Marks Tey, offer direct connections to London Liverpool Street station. The area is also known for its prestigious secondary schooling options, both state and private.
What sets this property apart is the incredible business opportunity it presents. Included in the price are 'The Cabin' and 'The Studio' holiday lets, both fully modernized and refurbished. These self-contained one-bedroom accommodations offer an additional source of income for the current owners.
Both 'The Cabin' and 'The Studio' feature a kitchen, sitting room, double bedroom, and bathroom. The kitchens are equipped with freestanding cookers, extractor hoods, fridges/freezers, and washing machines. The bathroom in 'The Cabin' includes a bath, rainfall shower, hand basin within a vanity unit, toilet, and heated towel rail. 'The Studio' features a similar shower room, excluding the bath.
Upon entering the property through the storm porch, you'll find an inviting entrance hallway leading to the impressive dual aspect sitting room. This room boasts a vaulted ceiling, exposed beams, and a captivating fireplace with a log burner. French doors open to the patio and rear garden, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor flow.
The modern 'Howdens' kitchen/dining room is fitted with a range of integrated appliances, including a full-height fridge and freezer, dishwasher, oven and grill, wine chiller, and a hob with a built-in extractor. The kitchen island, finished with an attractive quartz worktop, provides ample workspace and a breakfast bar for casual dining. Additional storage is provided by a selection of cupboards, drawers, and a pantry. Underfloor heating runs throughout the property, with the exception of the en-suites, which feature heated towel rails. An electronic fire adds to the overall comfort. A rear door in the kitchen/dining room offers direct access to the garden.
The utility room provides extra workspace, storage, and plumbing for a washing machine and tumble dryer, all set within an oak block worktop. The study offers a convenient space for those who work from home, featuring built-in storage cupboards and a workstation. The ground floor includes a main bedroom with two built-in wardrobes, dual aspect windows, and French doors leading to the patio. The accompanying en-suite shower room features a double shower, rainfall shower, hand basin within a vanity unit, toilet, and heated towel rail. A cloakroom completes the ground floor.
Upstairs, the spacious landing has been cleverly designed to include a gaming area for children and two study areas. Both bedrooms on this floor are generously sized doubles, with the largest bedroom boasting dual aspect windows and two built-in wardrobes. The en-suite mirrors the configuration of the principal bedroom's en-suite. The third bedroom's bathroom is a four-piece suite, including a bath with a shower mixer hose.
Outside, the main house is accessed through an electronically operated gate with an intercom system, which also provides access to the neighboring property. Ample off-road parking is available for multiple vehicles, with illuminated light bollards enhancing the parking area. The double garage offers additional parking space and houses the gas boiler, with a personnel door leading to Caterpillar Cottage. Both 'The Cabin' and 'The Studio' have enclosed courtyard-style gardens, secured by six-foot fencing. The rear garden of Caterpillar Cottage is gated on both sides and mainly laid to lawn, featuring mature trees and shrubs. Adjacent to the house, a large patio spans the width from the main bedroom to the sitting room. The patio area closest to the sitting room includes a pergola and a water feature, providing a tranquil outdoor space. Towards the rear of the garden, you'll find a timber garden shed and a brick-built shed for additional storage.
LOCATION Located on the edge of the village of Fordham and approximately seven miles from the centre of Colchester which lies to the east. The well know Shoulder of Mutton antiques room with its renowned licensed tea room is a short walk away. Local shopping facilities are provided at Tollgate, Stanway including a Sainsbury's supermarket with a more extensive range of shopping and recreational facilities in Colchester. Colchester offers a wide range of schooling for all age groups including Colchester Royal Grammar School, Colchester County High School for Girls, Holmwood House, Colchester High School and St. Mary's School. For the commuter there is a train service from Marks Tey train station to London's Liverpool Street and access onto the A12 and the A120 trunk road at Marks Tey (all of which are less than 3 miles away from the property with direct access to Stansted Airport and the M11. This property is close to The Essex Way, an 81 mile walk from Epping to Harwich, which will lead you through ancient woodlands, open farmland, tree-lined river valleys and leafy green lanes, visiting historic towns and villages along the way.
We made our offer the very same day we viewed. We just had to.
The location is picture perfect, so idyllic for the quintessential country life that we were so looking for. We're in the midst of a Grade 2 listed area where all the properties are lovely and so full of character. Set in the heart of the Essex countryside, it's surrounded by lots of options for walking the dogs or grabbing a bite to eat at a country pub somewhere. And yet it's ideally situated for accessing the A12 or Marks Tey train station for the commuter, both being 6 minutes drive away, or Colchester centre 15 minutes away for the shopping, restaurants and local historical sites. The highly sought after private and grammar schools on offer are all serviced by a regular bus route accessible from right outside the gates - perfect for our children's daily school commute!
The main house, Caterpillar Cottage, is only 18 years old but you wouldn't know it - it was so full of charm we couldn't help but be smitten with it – from the high vaulted lounge ceiling that comfortably hosts our enormous Christmas trees, to the view of the garden through the master bedroom french doors whilst having your morning cup of tea in bed – who wouldn't want to live here?
We have lovingly renovated and refurbished the whole house, room by room, to provide a beautiful, modern family home, whilst also being respectful of the local area and in keeping with a traditional cottage style. We had a lot of fun designing rooms such as the kitchen, blending the old with the new - cottage style doors and wooden features with the huge quartz island and waterfall table that dominates the length of the room – the perfect base for entertaining friends at the many cocktail evenings enjoyed and those huge family gatherings for birthdays and Christmas!
We paid particular attention to the bathrooms too – creating all ensuite bedrooms – by adding a 'hotel' feel to the design with large double rainfall showers complete with recessed lighting and a seat. Ensuring one of the bathrooms remained as a full 4 piece suite with the addition of a full bath aswell as the separate shower.
Once the cottage was complete we moved on to the outbuildings – two 300 year old stable blocks – ideal for converting to additional guest accommodation or multi generational living options. We had our elderly parents and also our children in mind, so that we could offer a home to any of our family that might need it in the future. However, initially we've used them as holiday let accommodation generating a very healthy income, being incredibly popular with very few nights available over the past 12 months. A very easy business to run and manage from home whilst raising the children and taking care of the family!
We've so enjoyed the versatility and lifestyle that Caterpillar Cottage has afforded us over these past couple of years, and will be so sorry to say goodbye to her when we leave. But it is time now for another family to start their chapter here - we only hope they create as many beautifully unforgettable memories as we have.
THE PROPERTY Welcome to 'Caterpillar Cottage', a beautifully renovated and modernized property located in the highly desirable village of Aldham, just west of Colchester. Situated within easy reach of Tollgate retail park, which offers a wide range of shops, pubs, restaurants, and excellent schools, this property is ideal for families. The vibrant city center of Colchester is also easily accessible, providing numerous shopping options, attractions such as Colchester Castle, the museum, and the Mercury Theatre. Convenient transport links, including Colchester's north train station and Marks Tey, offer direct connections to London Liverpool Street station. The area is also known for its prestigious secondary schooling options, both state and private.
What sets this property apart is the incredible business opportunity it presents. Included in the price are 'The Cabin' and 'The Studio' holiday lets, both fully modernized and refurbished. These self-contained one-bedroom accommodations offer an additional source of income for the current owners.
Both 'The Cabin' and 'The Studio' feature a kitchen, sitting room, double bedroom, and bathroom. The kitchens are equipped with freestanding cookers, extractor hoods, fridges/freezers, and washing machines. The bathroom in 'The Cabin' includes a bath, rainfall shower, hand basin within a vanity unit, toilet, and heated towel rail. 'The Studio' features a similar shower room, excluding the bath.
Upon entering the property through the storm porch, you'll find an inviting entrance hallway leading to the impressive dual aspect sitting room. This room boasts a vaulted ceiling, exposed beams, and a captivating fireplace with a log burner. French doors open to the patio and rear garden, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor flow.
The modern 'Howdens' kitchen/dining room is fitted with a range of integrated appliances, including a full-height fridge and freezer, dishwasher, oven and grill, wine chiller, and a hob with a built-in extractor. The kitchen island, finished with an attractive quartz worktop, provides ample workspace and a breakfast bar for casual dining. Additional storage is provided by a selection of cupboards, drawers, and a pantry. Underfloor heating runs throughout the property, with the exception of the en-suites, which feature heated towel rails. An electronic fire adds to the overall comfort. A rear door in the kitchen/dining room offers direct access to the garden.
The utility room provides extra workspace, storage, and plumbing for a washing machine and tumble dryer, all set within an oak block worktop. The study offers a convenient space for those who work from home, featuring built-in storage cupboards and a workstation. The ground floor includes a main bedroom with two built-in wardrobes, dual aspect windows, and French doors leading to the patio. The accompanying en-suite shower room features a double shower, rainfall shower, hand basin within a vanity unit, toilet, and heated towel rail. A cloakroom completes the ground floor.
Upstairs, the spacious landing has been cleverly designed to include a gaming area for children and two study areas. Both bedrooms on this floor are generously sized doubles, with the largest bedroom boasting dual aspect windows and two built-in wardrobes. The en-suite mirrors the configuration of the principal bedroom's en-suite. The third bedroom's bathroom is a four-piece suite, including a bath with a shower mixer hose.
Outside, the main house is accessed through an electronically operated gate with an intercom system, which also provides access to the neighboring property. Ample off-road parking is available for multiple vehicles, with illuminated light bollards enhancing the parking area. The double garage offers additional parking space and houses the gas boiler, with a personnel door leading to Caterpillar Cottage. Both 'The Cabin' and 'The Studio' have enclosed courtyard-style gardens, secured by six-foot fencing. The rear garden of Caterpillar Cottage is gated on both sides and mainly laid to lawn, featuring mature trees and shrubs. Adjacent to the house, a large patio spans the width from the main bedroom to the sitting room. The patio area closest to the sitting room includes a pergola and a water feature, providing a tranquil outdoor space. Towards the rear of the garden, you'll find a timber garden shed and a brick-built shed for additional storage.
LOCATION Located on the edge of the village of Fordham and approximately seven miles from the centre of Colchester which lies to the east. The well know Shoulder of Mutton antiques room with its renowned licensed tea room is a short walk away. Local shopping facilities are provided at Tollgate, Stanway including a Sainsbury's supermarket with a more extensive range of shopping and recreational facilities in Colchester. Colchester offers a wide range of schooling for all age groups including Colchester Royal Grammar School, Colchester County High School for Girls, Holmwood House, Colchester High School and St. Mary's School. For the commuter there is a train service from Marks Tey train station to London's Liverpool Street and access onto the A12 and the A120 trunk road at Marks Tey (all of which are less than 3 miles away from the property with direct access to Stansted Airport and the M11. This property is close to The Essex Way, an 81 mile walk from Epping to Harwich, which will lead you through ancient woodlands, open farmland, tree-lined river valleys and leafy green lanes, visiting historic towns and villages along the way.
