The Shire Stables is a beautifully appointed, self-contained, spacious, interior designed barn Newly renovated in January 2015 to the highest standards, to make your stay luxurious yet homely. Featured on ITV show ' Guess This House, episode 19
The private hot tub, hot tub towels and bath robes can be added to your rental. Please enquire.
Sleeping 8 guests included in the rental rate, this barn has the flexibility to sleep extra guests on foldaway beds in bedrooms and / or the sofa bed in the lounge.
WHAT WE OFFER
The Shire Stables is one of four barns, collectively known as Jepcrack's Barn Self Catering. They be rented separately or collectively for up to 31 guests.
From planning to departure, as a family business we go the extra mile to help make your experience easy and pleasurable.
Perfect for special occasions, family holidays, weekend breaks with friends or walking holidays with your dogs. We can help you by organising activities or those little extras that will help you to make happy memories.
For weekend bookings, arrival can be from 11am on Friday to 4pm on Sunday (earlier check-in is possible by arrangement) or arrival from 3pm on Friday to 10.30am on Monday.
Both charged at 3 night rate.
HEN PARTY
We can help to plan your Hen party! From a quiet, relaxing break or a mixture of quiet times and fun activities, we have a plan to suit you!
We can organise balloon decorating, a cocktail making masterclass, Italian meal with wine pairing, private chef, a Butler in the Buff, bouncy castle, or a limo to a club in nearby Chelmsford or Brentwood.
WEDDINGS
We are conveniently situated near the wedding venues of Captains Wood Barns,. Forrester Park, Faulty Manor, Braxted Park, Layer Marney Tower and Five Lakes. We are approximately a 30 minutes drive to Leez Priory and High House in Althorne.
WALKING HOLIDAYS AND DOGS
Dog walking and pet sitting available.
THE SHIRE STABLES
Special features include the optional rental of the private hot tub. The barn has a balcony overlooking fields, central fireplace with front and rear view wood burning stove.
The downstairs bedroom has an unusual wall feature, retained from the original stable. There are two antique French single beds that can be joined to make a king sized bed. The en-suite is beautiful. There is a small step up to a large, marble, fully fitted bathroom with antique cupboard, hand basin, toilet, shower cubicle and Jacuzzi bath.
Upstairs, one bedroom is very spacious and has a beautiful French style bed, fitted wardrobes and full length mirror. A door leads off this bedroom to a small bedroom with two single beds. Ideal for a family or group of friends. The en-suite serves both of these bedrooms and has a bath with shower above, vanity unit and heated towel rail.
Across the landing is also a further bedroom which has a balcony with table and chairs to sit and enjoy the views over fields. There are fully fitted wardrobes, full length mirror, spacious storage area and seating area. The en-suite has a bath with shower above, vanity unit and heated towel rail.
A large single foldaway bed can be set up in this room. The additional fee includes bedding, linen and towels.
Up to two additional guests can use the sofa bed in the lounge. This is a large double with a sprung mattress.
There is also a separate downstairs bathroom with shower.
The ground floor is open plan with an extremely well equipped kitchen, dining area and living area. The dining table extends to comfortably seat ten guests. The kitchen has a range style, electric cooker with hob, two fan ovens and a separate grill. The central fireplace is built out of the bricks that formed the original stable floor. There is central heating and a wood burning stove adds the final touch in the cold winter days or chilly summer evenings. The lounge area is spacious and has a comfortable, sprung sofa bed to accommodate two additional guests, making the capacity eleven in total.
All bathrooms have shaver points. We provide Egyptian cotton sheets; soft, fluffy towels and quality mattresses.
WI FI
Each barn has its own individual WiFi supply.
OUTSIDE
The Shire Stables sits well back from the road. There is off street parking and a turning point. The rear garden has a patio area with garden furniture and coal BBQ. A path leads to the hot tub which overlooks farmer's fields.
THE LOCAL AREA AND PLACES TO VISIT
The village of Great Totham is a 10 minute walk away around the farmer's fields. In the village you will find a village shop and post office, two pubs and a restaurant. The Bull (gastro) Pub is opposite the village green, ideal for watching local cricket. The Willow Room is a fine dining restaurant. You will also find The Prince of Wales Pub which serves good pub grub. In the opposite direction from the barn, in the village of Little Totham, you will find The Swan pub which is a very quaint, small country pub.
For weddings, The Shire Stables is close to Layer Marney Tower, Braxted Park, Prested Hall and Vaulty Manor. Colchester Zoo is close by. A little further out, but with easy access is Colchester Castle, Cressing Temple, Dedham Vale and the beaches at Frinton-on-Sea and Suffolk. For Hen parties, Brentwood and Chelmsford are easily accessed and there are local taxi companies or limousines available for transport.
The area surrounding the barn is a Mecca for road cyclists, walkers and horse riding. There are golf clubs, fly and coarse fishing and historical sights close by.The property lends itself for use for a family holiday, as a weekend or weekday retreat or for executives seeking fast access to London, Stansted, Southend and Gatwick airports. For larger groups, we can accommodate additional guests in our other barns, The Hay Barn, Barley Barn and Cart Lodge.
In nearby historic town of Maldon, you will find numerous restaurants, pubs, cafe's, bistros, boutiques and shops. The most popular image of Maldon is one that captures the scene at The Hythe with it's collection of barges and other craft tied up at the quay and the old church of St Mary the Virgin dominating the skyline. There are regular trips available on some of the barges including bird watching and sight seeing trips, see the boards by the barges for details. There are trips along the river Blackwater towards Osea Island and back from the sea wall between the Hythe and Promenade Park. Take time to visit Promenade Park, created over one hundred years ago. Popular with visitors and residents alike, this park is the centre of summer fun with playgrounds and various children's activity areas including the very popular splash park, roller skating, bowling and swimming pool with slides. It hosts the Maldon Annual Mud Race and Maldon Motor Show 'Classics on the Prom'.
Heybridge Basin is a great place to spend an afternoon. It was dug out of the marsh to enable sea going vessels to enter the canal and unload their cargoes onto the barges for transportation inland to Chelmsford. The canal is now used by leisure craft and is a favourite location for walking along the estuary wall, crabbing, fishing and bird watchers. If you prefer the less active option, there are two pubs at the Basin where you can sit and relax with a drink and a meal and watch the activity of this popular marine centre. At high tide, boats leave the safety of the Basin through the huge lock gates and enter the estuary. There is also a tea room run by the famous Tiptree Preserve company where you can get a cup of tea or coffee and a cake, sandwich or meal. Ice cream is also available from the kiosk.
Please enquire about complimentary travel cots and high chairs for children under 2 years of age.
Advertised prices are for 8 guests. All prices are inclusive of VAT.
Damage deposit refunded on departurewhen the property has been checked.
We kindly ask guests to keep the property and all furniture, fittings and effects, in or on the property, in the same state of repair and condition as the commencement of the period, and to leave the property in the same state of cleanliness and general order in which it was found. £350 damage deposit is required. This can be paid in cash on arrival or before your arrival by bank transfer. This is refunded immediately if there is no damage or excess cleaning. We will, where possible, accommodate any guests' requests regarding minor accommodation amendments but we cannot guarantee acceptance.
