Escape to Essex with these equestrian havens
Get the best of both worlds in Essex with easy access to London and rural living
1. Seven Gables Stables, near Chelmsford
For you: a five-bedroom family home, built in the 1970s, in the rural village of Cock Clarks, with farmland views to the front and rural views to the rear. Additionally, there is a detached two-bedroom annexe that is arranged over two floors, and a triple cart lodge, plus formal gardens with a feature pond.
For the horses: the yard consists of 10 block-built and three wooden boxes. There is a large, detached hay barn and a 20x40m arena that needs resurfacing.
What’s the damage? in excess of £1.25m
Agent: Zoe Napier
Telephone: 01621 840333
Visit: zoenapier.com
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
2. Sparrows Farm, near Saffron Walden
For you: an attractive former farmhouse, dating back to the early 17th century, with an en suite master bedroom, and three further bedrooms. The property is not listed and has full planning permission to be extended. Outside there is a summerhouse, gym and hard tennis court.
For the horses: there are seven stables, a tack/staff room, feed room, hay barn, all-weather arena with mirrors and a sound system, a horse walker and excellent hacking. Set in 4.5 acres.
What’s the damage? £1.5m
Agent: Savills
Telephone: 01279 756800
Visit:savills.com
3. Bennetts Farm, near Chelmsford
For you: a Grade II-listed farmhouse dating back in parts to the 15th century. There are three bedrooms and a detached guest annexe. There is dog kennelling and an outdoor run, plus an extensive gravelled driveway with a lawn and planted areas plus stone terrace areas with built-in lighting in the garden.
For the horses: four large stables and two stables on skids. There is also a concrete wash-down bay, 30x40m arena, secure storage containers and six paddocks. Set in just over nine acres.
What’s the damage? £1.295m
Agent: Zoe Napier
Telephone: 01621 840333
Visit: zoenapier.com
Continued below…
Bag yourself a bargain with one of these horsey homes
Our pick of properties that you don’t need to be a millionaire to dream about
4. Ongar Park Lodge, near Epping
For you: a Grade II-listed period house with four bedrooms and far-reaching views. One of the bedrooms is arranged as a dressing room and gives access to two further attic rooms. In the mature gardens is a substantial pond.
For the horses: a stable yard with three looseboxes, a tack room and a hay barn. There is also an arena, which needs resurfacing. Set in 2.5 acres.
What’s the damage? £1.1m
Agent: Savills
Telephone: 020 8498 6600
Visit: savills.com
Next week: Equestrian properties to rent
Ref: Horse & Hound; 5 October 2017
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
A graduate from Durham University, Madeleine joined H&H in 2011 and became Features Editor — producing content across the magazine and website, including the popular inside back cover article ‘The horse that made me’ and the weekly ‘The best of my fun…’ interview. She has written on topics as diverse as hay making and headcams, to hot totty in the horse world and circus horses. Madeleine now works as a freelance feature writer for Country Life, The Telegraph, Horse & Hound, cntraveller.com, The Spectator and The Field, as well as writing obituaries for The Times.