The beautiful Halstead home with a business to boot
The Vicarage in Halstead is a beautiful countryside home with a difference. Set in over an acre of land with stunning views, the house is an idyllic family home. But hidden within the grounds is Wagtails, an established dog grooming business that home owner Janice Alkin has been running for the last three years.
Everyone likes to know their precious pets are going to be cared for when they are on holiday and the Alkins are no different when it comes to their three dogs. The Vicarage owner Janice Alkin said: “We never liked the idea of using commercial kennels while we were away and always had to have someone live in.
“We soon realised a huge gap in the market and thought there must be others in the same position. The business has been a great success and people seem to love the service.”
Close to the house, the kennels and grooming parlour are tucked away in a quiet spot within the garden. The grooming studio, fully equipped parlour and three kennels can potentially provide an income for new owners looking to carry on the business.
The detached 1930s house on the outskirts of Sible Hedingham, Essex, has plenty of traditional features, in the sitting room there is an ornate ceiling rose and a wood-burning fire which is perfect for the winter months ahead. The conservatory offers a cosy setting with plenty of natural light and panoramic views across the landscaped garden. The mature gardens also make for some spectacular balcony views.
Home owner Janice Alkin said: “When we looked at the property 15 years ago, the building wasn’t anything special. We just completely fell in love with the location and grounds which sit at the top of a hill.
“Over the years we’ve completely renovated the house to match its idyllic setting.”
On the market with Fenn Wright’s Sudbury branch, the first floor has three double bedrooms and a master bedroom with French doors that open out onto the balcony, offering elevated views of the garden. The downstairs has an impressive sitting room that opens out into the dining room and garden terrace, and a study, ideal for remote working.
The grounds feature a sizeable vegetable plot over-spilling with plums, rhubarb, green beans and pears, as well as an ornamental fish pond and swimming pool.
Every part of the house has been carefully thought through and flows seamlessly into the garden. Janice added: “Our home is a great place for socialising and the swimming pool has been a great way to keep our three boys entertained over the years.
“I could get peace and quiet in the house and just throw the boys a sandwich when they got hungry.”
The house has been a well-loved family home but with three grown up children, Janice and Tony are looking to relocate to France. Janice added: “We’ve finally got the house the way we want it, but we’ve always wanted to move to France to benefit from a warmer climate, so why wait?
“I’ll miss my Aga and the wonderful land surrounding the house, perfect for dog walking.”
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