1 Howe Green Moat Hall Great Hallingbury CM22 7QB

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1 1 Howe Green Moat Hall Great Hallingbury CM22 7QB

2 1 Howe Green Moat Hall, Howe Green, Great Hallingbury At a glance 16 th Century Former Farmhouse Spacious Courtyard with Feature Fountain Grand Reception Hall 4 Large Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms Outstanding Topiary Gardens Grounds in Excess Of 1 Acre EPC Band D The Property This really is a magnificent home with a number of key wow factors. Originally a working farm, the previous tenant farmers salvaged many period features from Hallingbury Manor, including portico columns, staircase and main window from the grand reception hall. The present owners have resided at the property for 11 years, during which time they have significantly refurbished the property and created a blend of period style with modern family living. There are 4 very large bedrooms - previously there had been 5; however this process could easily be reversed. The property also benefits from double glazing throughout. The garden is simply stunning and has been transformed into a superb formal English garden, creating the finest topiary gardens of over 100 pieces. EPC Band D. The Setting A gravel driveway leads under a large arch into a spacious and enclosed courtyard, the centre point being a water fountain with a circular driveway surrounding it. The rear gardens are stunning; the perimeters are flanked by leylandii with buttresses like castle walls. Immediately to the rear of the property is a large patio area providing excellent space for entertainment which is enhanced by an Italian terrace and alfresco covered heated and lit dining area flanked by box hedging and covered outdoor kitchen with gas heating and water connected. A recreational area is fully laid to lawn and the formal English garden is made up of discrete areas featuring yew, box and leylandii topiary with a central avenue of 26 yew pyramids and spirals and a remote control water fountain. There is a pink rose garden with yew spirals and gazebo with stone columns and wrought iron frame in a Greek/Roman style together with white magnolia trees. There is also a red rose garden with giant spirals, a white rose and topiary garden and a lavender garden. There is a seating area with cherry trees and a herb garden and double garage. There is parking at the front of the garden for a number of vehicles. Beyond the formal garden, through an archway created through a 60 metre wall of ancient yew trees lies the wild garden, originally formed by two giant yew squares, one a rose garden, the other believed to have been a grass tennis court. Many years later the original yew hedges have grown to become 30 ft tall trees and an area of unmade beauty to contrast and complement the formal topiary garden.

3 Grand reception hall Ground Floor Accommodation The tone is set for this property driving through the spacious courtyard, past the fountain and with steps rising to the portico with ionic columns at the front of the property. A pair of large oak doors (it is believed that the doors and returns are from Hallingbury Manor) provides entrance to the grand reception hall with high ceilings, exposed floor boards and further hardwood ionic columns. The key feature is the wide dog-leg oak staircase with its oak banister, ornamental spindles and part oak panelling to the side of the staircase. There is also a superb, large arched window providing an additional feeling of light and space (it is believed that the staircase and the arched window are from Hallingbury Manor). The drawing room is the former ballroom and is very generously proportioned, again with exposed wooden floors, feature elegant stone fireplace housing a multi-fuel burner and glazed French doors leading to the rear patio. The kitchen/diner has a range of handmade pine base and eye level units and large central island with a butchers block worktop and includes an integrated larder fridge/freezer and a 5 ring range gas cooker. Completing the accommodation on the ground floor is a utility room and cloakroom. First Floor Accommodation The master bedroom is a very generously proportioned room with a large bay window overlooking the stunning topiary gardens. There is an en-suite shower room with large shower cubicle and walk-in dressing room. This feeling of space is continued in the other large bedrooms on this floor; indeed one of the bedrooms overlooking the courtyard was formerly 2 bedrooms and this process could be reverted if desired. In addition to the 4 large bedrooms there is a very good sized contemporary family bathroom. In addition there is a large attic above most of the bedrooms which is mostly boarded. Local Authority Uttlesford District Council. Council Tax Band Band G.

4 Owner s View Howe Green Moat hall is built on the site of the original moated medieval farmstead and has been in continuous use since the 1500 s.by the early 1900 s it was a tenant farm of Hallingbury manor, the area s most significant country estate with 50 rooms and 3000 acres of land. The tenant farmers of Howe Green farm bought pieces of the estate house including the grand handcrafted oak staircase which we have the privilege of walking down every day. They also bought the entrance doors from the manor, columns, window frames, flooring and panelling, all of which were incorporated into our house. The heavy front doors have the manors original 300 year old lock fitted together with the original big key that now hangs above the doors. Formal English garden We were drawn to this house by its tranquil location, grand historic features, oversized rooms and by the 1.75 acres of grounds, half of which was an empty field. This was an open canvas to create whatever we wanted and with an already established interest in formal gardens, our passion was to create an amazing garden to match the house. The central fountain was the first installation and from that the field slowly grew, over the next 10years into the magnificent formal garden you see now. All of the more than 100 topiary specimens and metres of hedges were hand selected by us directly from many trips to the growers nurseries in Tuscany, Italy, and shipped back by the lorry load. In every part of the garden there are benches and secluded places to sit and relax or have a meal with the family and built on to the house, the Italian terrace stays true to our Mediterranean heritage with the four large 40 year old olive trees framing the sitting area. Facing this is an outdoor roofed kitchen, and an outdoor covered dining room with lighting and heating. In wonderful contrast to the organised lines of the formal garden you can walk through an archway framed by giant yew trees into the wild garden, where many times we have pitched tents with our boys and had cook outs over roaring camp fires. Although we are surrounded by 12 acres of land including paddocks, and woodland we are lucky to be part of a private community of 11 houses developed from the original farm complex. We are only 2 miles from Bishop s Stortford town centre, 4 minutes by car to the station, 5 minutes to Junction 8 of the M11, and 15 minutes from the airport. If you have young children then Howe Green House private School is just opposite us, all our 3 boys have gone there, and there is a good choice locally of highly regarded senior schools. The beautiful and protected Hatfield Forest is just a Sunday stroll away. * These comments are the personal views of the current owners and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent.

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7 Agents Notes: All measurements are approximate and quoted in metric with imperial equivalents and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure.

8 "DoubleClick Tel Insert Picture" Scan me with your smart phone to view me online. Fine & Country Bishops Stortford 27 North Street, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 2LD fineandcountry.com