Essex

Secretary’s House, Bures

Guide price - £1,750,000

Area (approx)
6,200 Sq Ft / 575.8 Sq M

2 Water Lane, Bures
Essex CO8 5DE

A house with history, charm and presence.

Layout

5 Bedrooms
4 Bath/Shower rooms
2 Reception rooms
1 Garage
1 Coach House
1 Acre

Services

Mains water, electricity and drainage.

The AreaBures

There’s something special about Bures. Straddling the Essex-Suffolk border along the River Stour, it is a village rich in history, community spirit, and natural beauty. The surrounding landscape—made famous by John Constable’s paintings—remains as picturesque as ever, with rolling farmland, meandering waterways, and endless walking trails that weave through the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Despite its peaceful, rural setting, Bures is remarkably well-connected. Connecting trains from the village station reach London Liverpool Street in just over an hour, while Colchester and Sudbury are a short drive away. The village itself has a thriving community, with an excellent local shop, a much-loved pub, and an active calendar of events, from farmers’ markets to weekend football clubs for children and regattas on the river.

For those who love the outdoors, the area offers spectacular walking, cycling, and horse-riding routes, while the River Stour provides opportunities for paddleboarding, fishing, and boating. Further afield, the historic towns of Lavenham and Long Melford are brimming with independent shops, galleries, and places to eat.

With its strong sense of community, unspoiled countryside, and easy access to London, it is understandable why Bures is a popular destination to live.

Secretary’s House, BuresAbout this home

Tucked behind a high red-brick wall and electric gates, Secretaries is a house of quiet grandeur. Set within just over an acre of walled gardens in Bures Hamlet, it is both commanding and utterly private. The Georgian frontage—sash windows, a pedimented doorway—hides an older soul, its medieval timber frame still visible in places. There has been a house on this site for centuries, with echoes of Roman settlement and Tudor intrigue woven into its history.

Step inside this Grade II listed home, and the sense of legacy continues. The reception hall makes a statement—high ceilings, an elegant William and Mary staircase, and a glimpse of the garden beyond. South-facing sitting and dining rooms soak in the light, their period details intact. A handcrafted kitchen, anchored by a four-oven Aga, leads to a snug. French doors from the inner hall open onto the terrace—a perfect spot for morning coffee.

Upstairs, five double bedrooms stretch across two wings. The principal bedroom, with its lofty ceilings and twin garden-facing windows. The west wing, with its own bathroom, offers independence—ideal for teenagers or guests.

Across the courtyard, the Coach House is a treasure. Now a home office, it boasts air conditioning, ultra-fast broadband, and views. Below, a garage and two generous rooms offer further potential.

Mature trees, beech hedging, and sun terrace frame the gardens. Secretaries is a home with history, ready for its next chapter.

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Floorplan

AREA (APPROX)

6,200 Sq Ft / 575.8 Sq M

Map

Further information

Learn more about the home & area with our local expert

Poppy Chenevix-Trench

Raised on a family farm in North Essex, Poppy returned in 2021 with her young family. She spent a decade at Savills, including three years as Head of Communications in the Private Office, before becoming Head of Property at RedBook. With a background in interior design from KLC, Poppy provides clients with expert guidance, strategic insight, and a personalized approach.