School Lane, Elmstead Market, Colchester, CO7 7EY

Part of our Signature collection, a wonderful four-bedroom detached period home in a delightful setting including an established holiday cottage business and swimming pool, set within grounds approaching one acre. The property is to be sold with no onward chain.

A wonderful four-bedroom detached period home in a delightful setting including an established holiday cottage business and swimming pool, set within grounds approaching one acre. The property is to be sold with no onward chain.

Located on the outskirts of Colchester between Elmstead Market and Wivenhoe, Bird's Farm is believed to date back to the late 18th Century with later additions and alterations in the 1980's to create a flexible and generous layout whilst retaining an abundance of character and being unlisted.

The property has benefitted from improvements over the years and now offers an established income generated through holiday letting, with the option of secondary accommodation (subject to planning).

Bird's Farm House itself offers two well-proportioned symmetrical reception rooms, one with impressive inglenook fireplace and inset log burner and both offering exposed beams with sash windows.

There is a good sized kitchen/breakfast room with adjacent boot room and utility providing plenty of storage and French doors open onto the rear garden that overlooks the pool area.
To complete the ground floor is a shower room with WC and wash hand basin.

To the first floor are four well proportioned bedrooms and a family bathroom. Bedrooms 3 and 4 both benefit from built in storage whilst bedroom one offers ensuite facilities. The loft space is a good height with a window and subject to planning, we understand could make a great additional room.

Bird's Farm House has a private access and drive. The garden surrounds the house and is interspersed with a variety of established fruit trees and plants with a kitchen garden and sun terrace.

There is a separate access and ample car parking for the cottages. An outdoor swimming pool (heated via an air source heat pump) and plant room is located to the rear of the cottages.

Birds Farm Holiday Cottages
Originally a collection of agricultural barns, the buildings were converted to holiday accommodation in the 1980s. Under the current ownership since 2008, Bird's Farm offers five separate holiday cottages with a communal courtyard and private seating area to the rear. The accommodation briefly comprises:

Robin -   (1 bedroom, sleeps 2)
Swallow -  (2 bedrooms, sleeps 4)
Partridge - (2 bedrooms, sleeps 4)
Plover -   (2 bedrooms, sleeps 4)
Pheasant - (3 bedrooms, sleeps 6)
 
One of the Cottages (Plover) is located in the main barn, together with the reception and games room.

The cottages have a separate access and car parking to the main house, guests have exclusive use of the grounds and swimming pool,

The Business
The property is well located close to Colchester, Essex University and the Essex and Suffolk coastline. Bird's Farm is popular with individual guests as well as larger group/family bookings. The accommodation has been awarded the Visit England Gold Award.

Bookings are currently based on a minimum 3 night stay. Bird's Farm benefits from in excess of 50% repeat bookings. The current booking prices are available on the Bird's Farm website.

The turnover for the Yr ending March 2022 was circa £70,000. Accounts available to interested parties, after viewing.

Planning
The cottages have planning permission to be used on a 12 month basis, subject to a 28 day occupancy condition.

Outgoings
Council Tax - Band F - 2022/2023 - £2775.95
Business Rates - Rateable Value - £11,000.
Rates payable - £nil. The cottages currently qualify for 100% small business rate relief.

Website
birds-farm.co.uk

Important Information

Services – We understand that mains water and electricity are connected to the property together with a private drainage system. Central heating for the main dwelling is via a biomass boiler and the holiday cottages are heated via electric heaters.
Tenure – Freehold
EPC ratings
Main House – E
Holiday Cottages – G

Our ref – 55623BMR