Daws Heath, SS7 2UN

ABOUT THIS HOUSE For generations, locals knew Woodlands as “the big house”. Completed in 1890, it is a house with a full and layered history, recognised as one of the defining homes of the area. Today, following a deeply sympathetic 4-year restoration, with remarkable attention to period detail, it feels every inch the country house - generous, welcoming and entirely unpretentious. At its heart sits one of the most impressive kitchens imaginable. Skilfully combining scale with warmth, the exceptional 13m x 7m DeVOL kitchen adjoins a generous walk-in pantry and laundry room and incorporates a dining and seating area beneath a soaring vaulted ceiling, overlooked by a galleried office above. It is a space made for entertaining, family life and long, relaxed gatherings. Double doors to each principal room on the ground floor create a superb sense of flow for grand-scale entertaining and, when closed, retain traditional comfort. Reclaimed oak parquet spans the entire ground floor, and the south-facing aspect draws natural light across the house through the day. Despite its scale, Woodlands is first and foremost a home. Victorian wallpapers and carefully chosen Farrow & Ball and Little Greene paint colours sit alongside thoughtful details such as solid oak bathroom floors crafted from reclaimed French railway carriage boards and recreated period ceilings. Throughout the house are cozy places to pause. Choose a book from the panelled library entrance hall, settle into one of many seating areas, and stay awhile. Upstairs, the principal bedroom, secreted away on one side of the house, exceeds 400 sq ft, with a generous dressing room and ensuite. An integral heated and carpeted four-bay garage with stable-style doors is overlooked through a stunning feature window in the snug and opens onto an enclosed courtyard. The wraparound garden is beautifully zoned for entertaining, family life and quieter moments alike. ABOUT THIS AREA Daws Heath is a small and highly desirable hamlet with a distinctly semi-rural community feel. Woodlands is uniquely positioned, surrounded by seven ancient woodlands, all protected by the Essex Wildlife Trust. These ancient woodlands are interconnected, creating miles of walking routes directly from the house. In spring, bluebells carpet the landscape, while year-round the setting offers a sense of seclusion and connection to nature. Just six minutes by car, Leigh-on-Sea provides a vibrant coastal lifestyle, with its independent shops, cafés and restaurants, beautiful Old Leigh fishing village, sailing club and sandy beach at Chalkwell. The area has a strong arts community and a reputation as one of Essex’s most sought-after seaside towns, offering a rare balance of energy and charm. The area is particularly well regarded for education, with a wide choice of respected state and private schools, including boys and girls grammar schools in Westcliff and Southend. Transport connections are excellent, with Rayleigh, Leigh and Benfleet stations providing direct services to London in around 40 minutes. Southend Airport is approximately 15 minutes away and Chelmsford under 30 minutes. Woodlands offers the rare combination of country house living, ancient woodland on the doorstep and effortless access to the coast, schools and London. TOWNS AND STATIONS Leigh-on-Sea – 3 miles Chelmsford – 16 miles Leigh-on-Sea Station – 3 miles Benfleet Station – 4 miles Rayleigh Station – 2.7 miles Southend Airport – 4.5 miles London Fenchurch Street – from 40 minutes London Liverpool Street – from 40 minutes