FOR all the undeniable practical advantages of living in a brand new house or apartment, there is consistently strong demand for period properties from people who value their charm, character and even in some cases their historical significance.

And whatever your taste, Essex boasts more than its fair share of interesting period properties to choose from.

“Period properties, especially those with any history related to them, are all the more interesting,” says Schuyler Pratt of agents Jackson-Stops Staff.

“To a purist, a house with architectural integrity should command a premium. The vernacular in Essex is timber framed houses. So when a true Georgian gem comes on the market, being few in number, they tend to command a captive audience.”

HOWBRIDGE HALL

Howbridge Hall in Witham is an historic Grade II-listed timber framed manor house, dating from the late 16th century and set in some two-and-a-half acres of private grounds close to the centre of Witham.

Within the property there are a number of notable period features, in particular the panelled dining room and principal bedroom, and a number of fine fireplaces.

The accommodation in the main house includes three reception rooms and a library, a kitchen, cloakroom, utility and a cellar, plus a total of four bedrooms. In addition, across a courtyard, a converted dovecote provides self-contained three-bedroom accommodation, while one-bedroom Creedy Cottage has its own garden and alternative access. The whole plot is for sale through Jackson-Stops Staff for £1.1million.

LITTLE WALTHAM COTTAGE

Fenn Wright Signature are selling a charming semi-detached timber framed cottage, with a guide price of £515,000, in Little Waltham.

Grade II-listed, and dating from the 17th century, the versatile and exceptionally spacious accommodation possesses a wealth of period character and includes four bedrooms and a family bathroom, three reception rooms, a vaulted farmhouse-style Aga kitchen/breakfast room, a utility room and a ground floor shower room.

With two independent staircases and first floor landings, there is potential for reconfiguring the accommodation to create a separate annex, if desired. Outside, the property boasts a pretty enclosed rear garden. An added benefit is that this delightful cottage is available with no onward chain.

GRADE-II LISTED MANOR PLACE, GREAT BADDOW

Manor Place is a Grade II-listed double fronted village house close to the centre of Great Baddow, with no onward chain. The majority of the house is timber framed and dates from the 16th century, but a classically elegant front was added in the 18th century. The house offers particularly generous accommodation with good room sizes and high ceilings, arranged over three floors and including four/five bedrooms (one en suite), a family bathroom, two attic rooms, a sitting room with open studwork and a working fireplace. There is a formal dining room, also with an open fireplace, a drawing room, kitchen/breakfast room and a cloakroom. Outside, a driveway passes under an arch to a courtyard and detached garage, while to the rear of the house is a beautiful part-walled garden with stream frontage. Manor Place is for sale through Savills with a guide price of £750,000.

GRADE-II LISTED HOME IN NORTON HEATH

The Home Partnership are selling a Grade II listed, detached family house enjoying a semi-rural position in the small village of Norton Heath. Parts of the property are believed to date back to the 16th century, with later Georgian additions. It offers four double bedrooms – one with an en-suite bathroom/dressing room – plus a family shower room, a sitting room, dining room, a study/inner hall, a kitchen/breakfast room, a useful boot room and a cloakroom/utility. The guide price is £650,000.

APARTMENT IN FORMER GRAIN STORE, INGATESTONE

Meanwhile, Hilbery Chaplin is marketing an immaculately presented spacious “loft style” first and second floor apartment in a converted former grain store in the heart of Ingatestone.

With a guide price of £575,000, it offers elegant, well-proportioned accommodation including, on the first floor, two bedrooms (one with an en suite shower room) and family bathroom.

On the upper floor is a superb open-plan vaulted living/dining area, thoughtfully designed and zoned for entertaining with a built in surround sound system, together with a bespoke built study/home office area. The accommodation is completed by a high quality bespoke kitchen with integrated appliances, granite work surfaces and a convenient breakfast area. Outside there is secure gated double bay carport, plus additional visitors’ parking and a courtyard-style seating area for outdoor entertaining.

ILLEGAL “TIPPLING HOUSE” IN ROXWELL, DATING BACK TO 1500

Finally, Beresfords are selling Willow Cottage – a unique Grade II-listed former tippling house in the picturesque village of Roxwell, with a guide price of £575,000. “Tippling house” is an old term for a property where liquor was sold illegally. With parts dating back to 1500, and set in beautifully landscaped and secluded gardens extending to approximately 1/3 of an acre, the property boasts accommodation full of character and versatility – ideal for families of mixed ages, and with annex potential. It offers three/four bedrooms, a family bathroom, a lounge, dining room, study, kitchen/breakfast room and a ground floor shower room. The gardens also include a detached garage with office above.