Location
Situated in a small village a few miles south of Chelmsford in Essex and just half an hour’s drive from the popular resort of Southend-on-Sea.
Highchurch House East of England
Soak up the history, soak in the hot tub
One of the most historic houses on our books, Highchurch House was a Tudor tythe barn before being used to stable the bishop’s horses. Now it’s a fabulous holiday home, with an outdoor pool, a hot tub and six sumptuous bedrooms sleeping 16.
Situated in a village mentioned in the Domesday Book, Highchurch House is a one-off. The brass radiators were brought over from France and the oak flooring is from Victorian French railway carriages. After dining in front of a log burner in a huge fireplace, step through to the sitting room and enjoy its warmth from the other side. Amidst the ancient brickwork and characterful beams, modern comforts abound. A sleek kitchen houses Miele appliances, there’s Netflix, Amazon, the full Sky package and Apple TV, and Alexa controls the lighting and music at your command.
Outside, splash in the pool, sunbathe on loungers or sink into the hot tub, soaking up views of the village church and listening to the local cricket team play. After a game of croquet on the lawn, enjoy a barbecue, with seating around the pool or in the pool house.
Explore the area, visiting ancient battle sites and browsing antique shops. Go pony trekking, clay pigeon shooting or treetop climbing at Go Ape, all within a few miles. And after a full day, retire to bed in a charming room with village or garden views. Highchurch House brings together history and modern comforts, rural and urban charm - you’re in the Essex of Gavin and Stacey and TOWIE - and action and relaxation. It’s perfect for bringing together your favourite people for celebrations, high end hen or stag parties, or family gatherings.
Selected by Mark
Learn more about our handpicking process
NEW
7 NIGHTS, £7,425
from 27 December 2025
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Restrictions
No fireworks
Sleeps 16Plus one z bed available for an additional charge (see list of bedrooms PDF below)
Bedrooms 6Scroll for a link to the full list of rooms in the property.
Bathrooms 3Scroll for a link to the full list of rooms in the property.
Dining Capacity 16See House FAQs below for further details.
Pool
Hot Tub
Wifi
Pet Friendly
Child Friendly
Open Fire
Ground Floor Bedroom
What we think
What to Expect
We’ve tried to think about everything to make your stay at Highchurch House just perfect. In all of our big houses to rent, we provide all the essential features to cater for a large group. Here’s a list of all the practical provisions we have at the house. If there’s anything you can’t see here but need, just ask as we’ll see what we can do.
- Welcome treats
- Luxury bed linen and bath towels (please bring your own pool towels)
- Well-equipped kitchen including American style fridge freezer (with water and ice dispensers), two wine fridges, two Miele ovens, 8-ring induction hob, dishwasher and Nespresso coffee machine
- Dining table that seats 8 guests, with an additional table alongside which seats another 8 guests
- BT Wi-Fi
- Smart TV with sound bar, Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV and full Sky package in the main living area
- Additional 40” Smart TVs in the kitchen and Opulent bedroom (with same services as above)
- Log burner in the main living area (logs provided)
- Amazon Alexa for lights and music
- Heated outdoor swimming pool (available May - October)
- Pool house with American style fridge freezer, sink, bar area, 40" TV and comfy seating
- Hot tub (seats 8) with lights and Bluetooth audio
- Outdoor tables, chairs and sun loungers
- Large gas BBQ and smaller charcoal BBQ (fuel provided for an additional charge)
- Croquet set
House FAQs
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What are the check in and check out times?
Check in is at 4pm on the day of your arrival and check out is at 10am.
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How many cars can park at the property?
There is parking for 8 cars on the driveway. Additional parking is available either by the church or to the side of the property.
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Are children welcome?
Children are very welcome at Highchurch House. One travel cot and one highchair are available on request (please bring your own cot linen). Children's puzzles, board games and books are also available. Please note, parents should supervise children at all times around the swimming pool and hot tub area (there is no fencing or gates around the pool).
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Are pets allowed?
Up to two well-behaved dogs are allowed at Highchurch House, subject to a fee of £25 per dog. Dogs are not allowed upstairs or on soft furnishings.
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Are stag and hen parties allowed?
Respectful hen and stag parties are welcome. Please note, due to the village location of the house, outdoor activities are not permitted after 9pm.
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Can I arrange a supermarket delivery to the house?
Yes, you can order online with Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, Waitrose or Ocado for a delivery direct to the house. We usually suggest booking a delivery for after 4pm on the day of arrival.
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How many guests can sit at the dining table?
The dining table can seat up to 8 guests, with an additional table alongside which seats another 8 guests. There is a separate breakfast room next to the kitchen with a table that can seat up to 8 guests.
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Can you recommend any local places to eat out?
Yes, we'd recommend the following pubs and restaurants, all within a short distance of the property:
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What are the dimensions of the outdoor swimming pool?
The outdoor swimming pool (available May to October) is kidney shaped. Dimensions are approximately 11m in length with a depth of 0.9m at the shallow end and 2.1m at the deep end.
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What is the nearest train station?
The nearest train stations are Battlesbridge (1.5 miles) or Wickford (3.5 miles).
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What is the nearest airport?
The nearest airports are Stansted (28 miles) or Southend (11 miles).
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Will you hold a damage deposit during our stay?
Yes, we ask to hold a cautionary deposit of £1,000 during your stay at Highchurch House. This is requested just two weeks prior to your stay, and is returned shortly after, assuming no damage to the property or its contents (see our Booking T&Cs for more information).
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How do I book?
You can check availability and pricing and place your booking request online, or by calling our team on 01242 352 747.
When booking, we ask for a deposit of 33% of the total price, with the balance due 12 weeks prior to your stay (or the full balance when booking within 12 weeks of your stay).
