Location

The Bishops House is quietly situated on the outskirts of Frating which is well placed for amenities being 7 miles from Colchester and has good access to the A120 and A12. Local shopping amenities are provided in Great Bentley and Elmstead Market but a much wider range of shopping, educational and recreational facilities are available in nearby Colchester or Manningtree. For the commuter there is ready access to the A120 which links to the A12 from the A133 and there are InterCity train services to London's Liverpool Street from either Colchester or Manningtree.

Description

The Bishops House is an exceptional Georgian country house set within approximately nine acres of beautifully landscaped grounds.

Dating back to 1832 The Bishops House is constructed of white brick beneath a slate roof and retains a wealth of fine period features throughout. These include tall sash windows, high ceilings, deep skirting boards, decorative cornicing, open fireplaces and an elegant turning staircase with skylight above. The accommodation is beautifully presented and naturally light filled throughout.

The property is approached via a sweeping driveway, passing through painted wrought-iron railings and gates set between brick piers, and leading to a generous parking area to the front of the house. French doors open into an entrance hall, providing access to the principal accommodation.

The layout of the property flows beautifully with the main reception rooms arranged around a stunning central reception hall. This impressive space features glazed French doors opening onto a terrace, allowing natural light to flood in.

The elegant, double-aspect drawing room benefits from a southern and westerly orientation. The room is centred around an open fireplace and features a charming bay window overlooking the magnificent gardens. A further glazed door opens directly onto the south-facing terrace, which is a perfect setting for alfresco dining and entertaining.

The sitting room is an impressive and inviting space, enjoying lovely views over the gardens. A decorative fireplace with a Chesneys wood-burning stove provides a focal point, complemented by bespoke shelving and cabinetry. The kitchen is accessible both from the sitting room and the reception hall. The kitchen/breakfast room is equally impressive, featuring an AGA, a comprehensive range of wall and base cabinetry providing excellent storage, and a substantial central island.

A door from the reception hall leads through to a rear hallway, where there is a games room enjoying French doors opening directly onto the terrace and gardens. This area also accommodates a well-appointed utility room, pantry, cloakroom and a range of storage cupboards. The ground floor also provides access to the cellar.

Two staircases lead up to the first floor where there are six well proportioned and light filled bedrooms. The principal staircase elegantly turns up to the first floor galleried landing where there is a skylight above filling the space with natural light. The rear staircase winds up to the first floor also and has a study located off along the way.

The main landing provides access to the principal bedroom, which forms a superb suite enjoying a double aspect to the south and west, together with a generous dressing room leading through to a well-appointed en suite bathroom. There is also a beautiful guest suite, similarly benefitting from a dressing room and en suite bathroom. Two further bedrooms and a family bathroom are also accessed from the main landing, while steps lead to the remaining bedrooms, which are served by a further well-appointed bathroom. A laundry room completes this level.

To the front of The Bishops House is a generous parking sweep positioned directly in front of the property. Garages and a range of outbuildings are arranged around an enclosed courtyard and include double garages and various store rooms. There is also a large studio, providing excellent versatile uses.

Within the grounds is a hard court tennis court, positioned to the rear of the outbuildings, alongside a charming walled kitchen garden. There is also a heated swimming pool, which is enclosed by yew hedging and complemented by a brick and slate pool house.

To the rear of the house, yorkstone terraces extend along the south and west elevations, bordered by well-stocked shrubbary and flower beds, creating an ideal setting for outdoor entertaining. There terraces lead onto expansive lawns interspersed with further flower beds and mature specimen trees. An impressive avenue of trees forms a picturesque walkway, leading towards the meadow/paddock situated along the western boundary.