Dapple House is well named. The house is surrounded by natural historic woodlands and is bathed in dappled light throughout the day. Architect David Parsons designed this home for his own family in 2015 and made sensitive use of the tranquil woodland environment in which the house sits, ensuring a dynamic connection with the woods and the light while retaining a modest and unintrusive presentation in the natural surroundings.

Across the entire 1300 sq. foot interior the design of Dapple House has been thoughtfully conceived to make maximum use of natural light through skylights, floor to ceiling glass panels and a calming engagement between the exterior and the interior.

The house is approached from a private driveway. The bright hallway gathers light throughout the day from immaculately planned skylights.

An impressive open plan living room opens onto the garden via huge glass doors and another wall which is constructed of original bricks from East London, pays homage to the Victorian builders and craftsmen of that area. A log burning stove provides a focal point to the room. There’s an easy flow to this living space with a purpose designed kitchen to the rear and a lovely touch: a window seat tucked into the kitchen space offering a space for conversation or another spot from which to watch the wildlife outside.

On the ground floor are two of the three bedrooms, both of which have their own bathrooms; one with a shower room, the other with shower and bathtub. Both are good sized double bedrooms with plenty of storage. One bedroom has another of the signature window seats – a place to relax, read or be inspired by the surroundings. The other bedroom on this floor has an entire wall of glazing and direct access to the garden terrace.

The whole of the upper floor is given over to the main bedroom and ensuite bathroom. There is access from this bedroom to the sedum covered roof terrace; a further nod to integrating Dapple House with its environment. The shower has a skylight which allows the user to be bathed in water and light simultaneously. The washing machine and dryer are also housed upstairs ensuring that the living spaces remain uncluttered by laundry or machine noise.

The garden wraps around the house and is tiered up to the rear boundary making this inviting space private and easily manageable. A winding path leads past well-chosen trees and planting which is in keeping with the surrounding nature reserve. Within the garden is a self-contained studio with loo – a perfect creative space, workroom, annexe for children or for occasional guests.

Sustainability is at the core of everything within Dapple House, which means it’s incredibly well-insulated. The house includes a natural ventilation system throughout the property and a water digester has been built-in which leads to an overall reduction in energy use. There is also an electric car port located in the front drive which includes space for two cars.

Norsey Wood surrounds Dapple House and is famous for the ‘rides’ or paths that are the original tracks from Anglo-Saxon times. The wood covers over 175 acres of ancient trees, with a lot of native & endangered species thriving, including the ever-rarer dormouse which is protected within the forest which surrounds Dapple House.

Situated in easy reach of Billericay town centre and wider Essex, there’s a great range of independent shops, restaurants and pubs with an impressive local presence. The local spirit is strong, and it’s easy to feel connected with the community. The local primary schools are particularly good in this area, with Sunnymede Infants & Juniors 5 minutes away, and an associated nursery close by.

For transport connections, Billericay Train station with a regular daily service to London Liverpool Street in just over 30 minutes is a short 5–7-minute drive, or a 15–20-minute walk from Dapple House. The main A12, going straight into London is only 15 minutes away.