12, Chapel Street, Colchester, CO5 7JS

A home that offers considerably more than first impressions might suggest.

Extended to the rear, this three-bedroom house has been opened up to create a fantastic kitchen, dining and family space – the kind of room that naturally becomes the centre of everyday life.

Add a separate sitting room, three bedrooms and a genuinely substantial rear garden, and there is a lot of house here.

All of this sits in Rowhedge, with the village amenities and River Colne close by, while Colchester remains within easy reach.

The Property Step through the front door and a long entrance hall immediately gives the house a good sense of space, with the main sitting room positioned to the front.

It is a generous, comfortable room with plenty of space for larger sofas and a feature fireplace providing a natural focal point. The real transformation comes at the back of the house.

The original accommodation has been extended and reworked to create a large, sociable kitchen, dining and family room that stretches across the rear.

The kitchen itself is fitted with a substantial range of sleek gloss cabinetry, wood-effect worktops, integrated ovens and plenty of preparation and storage space.

Rather than simply being somewhere to cook, this is a room designed to be lived in.

There is space for a full dining table alongside a separate seating area, while French doors open directly onto the garden – ideal for busy family life, entertaining or simply having somewhere everyone can be together without feeling on top of one another.

Also tucked neatly off the kitchen is a useful ground-floor shower room/WC, adding a level of practicality that is particularly welcome in a family home. Upstairs are three bedrooms.

The two larger rooms comfortably accommodate double beds and bedroom furniture, while the third makes a good single bedroom, nursery or home office.

A family bathroom with bath completes the first floor. The Outside The garden is another of this home's big selling points.

Stretching well beyond the rear of the house, there is far more outside space than you might expect from the street.

Immediately outside the kitchen is a decked seating area, creating an easy extension of the living space during warmer months.

Beyond this, the garden continues through lawn, mature shrubs and established trees, with plenty of room for children, pets, entertaining or for a keen gardener to really make their mark.

Towards the far end is a further gravelled area and garden storage, while rear access leads towards the additional parking.

Combined with off-road parking at the front of the house, it makes the outside space as practical as it is generous.

The Area Rowhedge has long been one of the area's most distinctive villages, sitting on the western bank of the River Colne with a history closely connected to shipbuilding and the water.

Its waterfront, riverside walks and established village centre give it an identity of its own, yet Colchester is only around three miles away.

Visit Essex Chapel Street puts everyday village life close at hand. Rowhedge has local shops, a post office, primary school, gp surgery and pubs, while The Anchor sits down towards the waterfront.

OpenAlfa For anyone who likes having countryside and water nearby without giving up the convenience of a city, it is an appealing balance – village life on the River Colne with Colchester's wider shopping, leisure and transport connections within easy reach.

Further Information Tenure: Freehold Local Authority: Colchester Council Tax Band: B Property Construction: Brick Mains Gas, Electricity, Water and Sewerage Mobile Coverage EE Good outdoor There is a good chance of getting a connection good enough to support mobile services.

You may be able to get limited indoor coverage. O2 Good outdoor There is a good chance of getting a connection good enough to support mobile services. You may be able to get limited indoor coverage.

3 Good outdoor There is a good chance of getting a connection good enough to support mobile services. You may be able to get limited indoor coverage.

Vodafone Variable outdoor There is a variable chance of getting a good connection that will support services. Basic services such as voice and text messages are more likely to be available.

Do not expect coverage indoors. Broadband Coverage The table shows the predicted broadband services in your area.

Broadband type Highest available download speed Highest available upload speed Availability Standard 20 Mbps 1 Mbps Good Superfast 80 Mbps 20 Mbps Good Ultrafast 1800 Mbps 220 Mbps Good Networks in your area - Openreach