A house which has been at the heart of a community for more than a century has gone on the market for a seven figure sum.

If walls could speak the Ongar building could tell a thousand tales, as it was formerly used as a school house and later, a doctor’s surgery.

Coopers in Coopers Hill has been owned by GPs for more than 60 years, but has now gone on the market for a whopping £1.59 million.

The five bedroom property was built in 1850 and features a separate three bedroom coach house in the grounds.

Dr Bruce Rix, the current owner, said that the house contains a lot of history and has been visited by many generations of Ongar families.

He said: “The house was actually used for evening and weekend consultations from 1952 until 1996 when I retired from general practice.

“In fact, on some maps the end of the house is still marked as being the doctor's surgery.”

Mullucks Wells has now begun the search for the next owner of the historical home.

Director of the company, William Wells, said that the building has ties with many local people.

He added: “Many residents of Ongar will undoubtedly remember visiting the doctor at Coopers, so the house has a real place in the local community.”