About this property
Ideal for groups of friends or multi-generational families, this superb three-in-one property is set in an agricultural landscape and bordered by woodland, 0.5 miles from the small village of Shimpling and its welcoming pub. This area of Suffolk is dotted with charming villages and medieval towns that boast narrow streets, timber-framed buildings and market squares filled with boutique shops and galleries. Plan a tour of the iconic Wool Towns, including Long Melford – where you can visit the historic houses of Kentwell Hall and Melford Hall - and Lavenham, renowned for its 14th century crooked house (both 5 miles). Sudbury (8.5 miles) has a wide range of independent shops and places to eat. It’s located on the beautiful River Stour, and from here you can embark on walks and boat trips through the countryside that inspired the artists Gainsborough and Constable. Suffolk’s foodie capital, Bury St Edmunds, is 11 miles away.
You’ll approach the property over a long, private driveway, giving you the opportunity to fully appreciate its stunning setting. The unique country house has been crafted from several historic buildings, and comprises a two-storey main house, adjoining two-storey annexe, and a separate, single-storey studio. The careful renovation has retained original features such as brick and flint walls, exposed timbers and mullioned windows, while creating exceptionally bright, airy and spacious rooms. Enter the main house into the generous hallway, which has a red-brick floor and magnificent oak ceiling, and glazed, folding doors which open onto the terrace opposite. This room flows through to the incredible drawing room, which centres on a raised, open fireplace and has a choice of seating for quiet moments with a good book or simply relishing the wonderful view over the south-facing garden. Beyond the lounge is another extraordinary space in which to relax: the orangery, which has a soaring, glazed roof, dramatic chandelier and doors that open wide to the terrace. Around the corner, tucked beyond the stairs, is the changing room for the swimming pool, with a shower and WC. Turning left from the entrance hall, past a useful WC, you’ll find the kitchen/diner, an L-shaped room with a long skylight and, again, glazed doors to the terrace. Hand-built, painted kitchen units offer plenty of storage, and there’s a large island with a breakfast bar as well as a double Aga for creating gourmet meals. The dining area offers comfortable seating for 12 guests. Adjoining the kitchen is a laundry room, and tucked beyond this a cosy reading room with a Smart TV. Two staircases take you up to the first floor of the main building, where there are three bedrooms: a king-size and two doubles, all with access to a balcony that overlooks the garden. Both doubles (one of which can connect to the king-size room) have glorious four-poster beds and en-suite showers, and the king-size room boasts an en-suite bathroom. The superb, two-storey annexe is reached via a lobby off the kitchen. On the ground floor it has a small kitchen as well as a lounge with sofas and a Smart TV, while on the first floor is a super-king-size bedroom with an en-suite bathroom that has a free-standing copper bath and a separate shower. Finally, the studio, which is accessed by crossing the patio and garden, includes an open-plan living space with a kitchen area, a king-size bedroom, a double bedroom accessed through the king-size, and (down a couple of steps from the double bedroom) a shower room.
The outdoor areas of this superlative property are just as impressive as its interiors, and you’ll want to open the doors that connect inside to outside as much as possible, drifting into the sunshine to enjoy al fresco drinks, meals and sociable relaxation. To the rear is a south-facing, mature garden that is safely enclosed. Its spacious brick terrace, with furniture for dining and lounging, overlooks the vast lawn and a huge, heated swimming pool. At the front of the house is a lawn and an unfenced pond. Making arrivals and departures effortless, off-road parking for four cars is provided and further vehicles can also be accommodated.
Additional information and rules
No dogs allowed
- 6 bedrooms – 1 king-size, 2 doubles (in the main house), 1 super-king-size (in the annexe), 1 king-size, 1 double (in the studio)
- 6 bathrooms – 1 en-suite bathroom with WC, 2 en-suite shower rooms with WCs, 1 changing room for the pool with shower and WC (in the main house), 1 en-suite bathroom with bath, shower and WC (in the annexe), 1 shower room with WC in the studio, 1 separate WC in the main house
- Double AGA, AGA electric oven, American-style fridge/freezer, microwave and two dishwashers in main kitchen; oven, hob, fridge and dishwasher in annexe kitchen; oven, hob, fridge/freezer, drinks fridge and dishwasher in studio kitchen
- Utility with washing machine and tumble dryer in main house
- Open fire in main house drawing room
- Smart TV in main house reading room and annexe lounge
- Enclosed garden at rear with terrace, outdoor dining furniture, seating areas and BBQ; lawn at front with unfenced pond
- Heated outdoor swimming pool
- Private off-road parking for 4 cars. Additional vehicles can be accomodated behind the stables
- Shop 4.5 miles, pub/restaurant 0.5 miles
- Please supervise children near the pond and pool