Wivenhoe is a small historic riverside village set on the banks of the River Colne, where the river broadens into a vast estuary before meeting the North Sea. Regarded as one of Essex’s most desirable small towns and selected by The Sunday Times as the Best Place to Live in the East of England for 2024, Wivenhoe is a former fishing and boatbuilding locale that has, since the 1960s become lively home to artists and academics.

A small university town since the early 70’s, the village began to attract a remarkable community of painters, writers and musicians, most notably Francis Bacon, who spent extended periods living and working in Wivenhoe alongside his close friends, the artists Denis Wirth-Miller and Richard Chopping. Their presence helped cement Wivenhoe’s reputation as one of Britain’s most distinctive creative enclaves, a spirit that continues today through galleries, studios, exhibitions and the annual Wivenhoe Art Trail.

Nature is equally central to life here. The Colne Estuary is one of the East Coast’s most ecologically important landscapes, with salt marshes, mudflats and winding creeks supporting an extraordinary variety of birdlife throughout the year. Footpaths trace the shoreline in both directions, offering miles of walking through ever-changing coastal scenery where curlews, avocets, oystercatchers and migrating geese are regular sights. The riverside walks around Wivenhoe are among the finest in Essex, with expansive views across the estuary and a landscape that changes dramatically with the tides and seasons.

While the historic waterfront, with its colourful cottages and the Rose & Crown pub, remains the focal point of the town, the high street has a selection of independent offerings such as the Wivenhoe Deli, the Wine Cellar, Red Rocket Music record store and Wivenhoe Bookshop for carefully curated books, while a collection of independent cafés, and pubs dot the village. Further afield, but within a twenty-minute drive, the village of Dedham, set in the heart of Constable Country, offers lovely walks, paddling and the Sun Inn, a nationally top-ten rated historic pub. Also within a short drive are Mersea Island, Manningtree and Pin Mill, with their beautiful maritime views, footpaths and excellent pubs and restaurants.

Despite its tranquil setting, Wivenhoe remains remarkably well connected. The station is approximately five minutes’ walk from the house and provides direct services to London Liverpool Street in around one hour, making it possible to enjoy life beside the estuary while remaining connected to the capital.