4 bedroom house

General information A beautiful country house with a stunning interior and glorious grounds of about 1.2 acres in a Special Landscape Area close to Woodbridge.

Church House is a wonderful country house designed in the Suffolk vernacular style by the current owners, both of whom are highly regarded designers and architects.  The timeless design of this farmhouse-style property blends perfectly within its beautiful established grounds with the backdrop of a high bank which is classified as a Scheduled Monument. 

The property was rebuilt about 21 years ago and is of brick construction incorporating some oak beams, with rendered elevations under a pan-tiled roof.  The attention to detail throughout is exceptional and one instantly appreciates this on arriving at the front door with a charming asymmetrical hand made oak porch. 

The atrium hallway is naturally lit by a sky lantern above and you are immediately drawn into the open plan kitchen/family/dining room which forms the hub of the house.  The kitchen has shaker-style units with Iroko worksurfaces, and a fireplace recess with a bressummer above provides space for a range-style cooker.  In order to emphasise the free-flowing space, the kitchen and family rooms are purely defined by a large curtain if required.  Glazed double doors from the family/dining room open onto an alfresco dining terrace which runs along the full width of the south facing elevation; the terrace is also directly accessed from the sitting room.  It is along this side of the house that planning permission has been granted for a large garden/family room with
bi-fold doors from which one can enjoy a lovely outlook over the garden.  The sitting room has a fireplace with a woodburner and on the other side of the hallway is a study that could be used as a cosy snug.  Off the kitchen is a boot room with a stable door onto the parking courtyard, and this flows into the utility area and ground floor cloakroom.

A turning staircase leads from the central hallway up to the bright and airy landing with a sky lantern above.  There is an arched recess painted in a vibrant blue typical of the colourings one would expect to find on a sunny Greek island.  The landing opens into a central sitting/study area and gives access to the 4 double bedrooms and 3 bath/shower rooms.  Of particular note is the vaulted master bedroom suite with a dressing area, ensuite shower room and a generous sized bedroom with views towards the wildflower meadow.  All of the bedrooms enjoy double aspects over the garden and the second bedroom also has an ensuite shower room.  The attractively fitted family bathroom has a double ended bath with a shower attachment over, a wc and washbasin as well as a cupboard housing the pressurised hot water system.  Each of the bathrooms have ceramic flooring and further quality floorings throughout the house include reclaimed pale pine floorboards and sisal/seagrass matting; there is underfloor heating on the ground floor. 

The outside Further accommodation is provided by the detached studio/home office with an adjoining workshop/garden store. In addition to the planning permission for a significant garden/family room, we understand permission has been granted to convert the double cartlodge garaging into a single storey annexe to incorporate an open plan living room/bedroom, kitchenette and shower room. There is plenty of space to build further garaging around the parking courtyard if required (stp).

The grounds of about 1.2 acres (sts) form a special feature.  Designed by our vendors, who also do landscape design, the established garden offers year-round areas of interest and colour.  A gravelled driveway leads to a generous, curved parking sweep which gives direct access to the cartlodge garaging (currently storage) as well as to the studio/office.  The front of the house is west facing and there is a circular front lawn surrounded by well stocked flower beds incorporating lavender, irises, crocosmia and roses; there is also a delightful central water feature with a gently flowing fountain. The principal garden, which enjoys a southerly aspect, incorporates a sunny brick alfresco-dining terrace with a mature vine currently sheltered by a shade sail; there is also a herb garden.  The terrace gives way to an expanse of lawn leading towards a shaded area with mature trees which is ideal for a hammock in the summertime.  The lawn is defined by mixed hedging, beech, box and holly to the western boundary and nestled behind a tall bank to the eastern boundary.  The bank, which leads to Castle Field, is classified as an Ancient Monument; Castle Field is a protected Suffolk Site and leads across to St Botolphs Church - it is also reputed that a golden calf is buried in the field.

The north western end of the grounds incorporate a wild flower meadow with a fine selection of trees including holm, turkey, english oaks and copper beech. Further trees throughout the grounds include cox and bramley apple trees, conference pear, victoria plum, cherry trees, poplars, scots pine, ash and chestnut, acacia and eucalyptus. 

Location Church House is nestled within a valley classified as a Special Landscape Area.  The property is on the southern tip of Clopton and is easy walking distance to neighbouring St Botolphs Church in Burgh as well as the active adjoining village hall which was converted out of an old schoolroom, designed by our vendor.  Clopton is a scattered village dotted across gently rolling Suffolk countryside, much of which is pastureland.  Nearby Grundisburgh offers good day-to-day amenities including a popular pub, village stores and delicatessens, whilst popular Woodbridge (about 5 miles) provides for more extensive needs including schools, a wide range of shops, pubs and restaurants as well as a station and the beautiful River Deben.  The Suffolk Coast is within easy reach. 

Important information Services - We understand that mains water and electricity are connected. Private drainage to a septic tank. Oil fired central heating.
Tenure - Freehold
Council Tax Band - C
EPC rating - D


Marketed by: Fenn Wright, Woodbridge