Countryside Properties, which built its reputation on quality estate type developments of all kinds, has broken new ground - it has built its first mansion.

'The Hall' in Wickham Bishops is described as an 'elegant Georgian styled property' but it has also been designed to give the appearance of being built over the centuries with extensions added to it.

Set in its own 25-acre private estate the £3.25m five-bedroomed (including a masterbedroom with its own sitting room, dressing room and balcony) the place has such attractions as a grand stair, library, study, even staff accommodation and its own wine cellar.

It also has a 'dog room' which, we are reliably informed is a small area where the family dog can be cleaned up - presumably after dashing all over the 25-acre estate.

"According to Strutt and Parker, the Hall is the largest and most luxurious property to be built for sale in recent times in Essex", Sales and Marketing Director Helen Moore says.

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