Earls Colne, CO6 2ER

Meadow Croft is an extraordinary residence, beautifully positioned at the end of a long private drive and set within established grounds that frame the area’s most handsome Edwardian residence. Built in 1911 for Arthur Hunt, the local foundry owner, the property retains much of its original fittings with recent upgrades further enhancing the appeal of this fine country home. The result is a remarkably authentic home with tall elegant chimneys, heavy oak detailing, wide hallways and beautifully proportioned rooms that immediately reflect the quality of its heritage. The current owners have set about a full refurbishment, sympathetically enlarging the ground floor with clever architecture that draw the wonderful views into the home. Every room has seen some form of improvement and as you wonder around this magnificent home, you will be impressed by the quality of the finish and history. The living accommodation expands across three floors and provides the perfect layout for a large family looking for multigenerational living or those needing to accommodate an au pair. You enter via a storm porch that leads into a large, welcoming entrance hall. The heart of the property is the stunning, heavy beamed reception hall where an ornate staircase slowly rises past a large stain glass window and up to the first floor. The reception hall has a fireplace and provides space for a seating area. The main drawing room is an elegant room and ideal space for entertaining. Adjacent to the living room is the library where you can work from home and enjoy views of the garden. Heading back across the reception hall, a third reception room awaits along with powder room and downstairs cloakroom. Inside, the reception hall is one of the home’s most memorable features, with oak panelling, an impressive fireplace and the original sweeping staircase rising above. The principal rooms radiate from here and provide a comfortable balance of formal and informal living spaces. Natural light plays an important role throughout the house, helped by generous windows and the soft orientation of the main elevations. The recently created kitchen and family space is a particular highlight, with bespoke cabinetry, a beautiful roof lantern and a clear connection to the garden. This space blends period charm with contemporary lifestyle requirements, creating a relaxed and sociable everyday environment. The kitchen is not just a showpiece of the house but also a practical, everyday living space and features a butler’s pantry, complete with serving hatch, pantry and a quality utility room that links the house to the side courtyard and store areas. Across the upper floors, the house offers many bedrooms, arranged with flexibility in mind. The proportions are excellent, and many rooms enjoy views over the gardens and surrounding countryside. Of particular note is the principal bedroom, a lovely retreat with use of a luxurious en-suite bathroom. The second floor provides a self-contained two bedroom apartment with its own sitting room and kitchen, ideal for an au pair, older children, extended family or visiting guests. There is also a hobby or crafts room on this level. Earls Colne itself offers a superb village environment with excellent everyday amenities, a well-regarded primary school and convenient access to senior and Grammar schools in both Colchester and Halstead via established school transport. The recreational and sporting facilities nearby are exceptional, including tennis and indoor sport at Earls Colne Recreation Club, Colne Valley Golf Course, The Essex Golf & Country Club and the Anglian Flight Centre for aviation enthusiasts. The village has a strong sense of community and sits in a particularly attractive stretch of the Colne Valley. Meadow Croft is a home of genuine substance and rarity, retaining the grace and scale of its Edwardian heritage while offering practical modern comfort. It stands as one of the most distinctive and admired houses in the area — a property preserved with care, enhanced with intelligence and now ready to begin its next chapter.