Woodbridge, Suffolk

Superb farmhouse with swimming pool, tennis court, guest cottage, barn and 3.5 acres standing in stunning gardens and grounds in the beautiful Deben Valley.

Dark Lane House is an outstanding Grade II listed former farmhouse, originally part of the Duke of Hamilton’s Easton Estate. Presenting an impressive front façade, the house has some interesting architectural detail including hexagonal brick chimneys and decorative barge boards. The generous living accommodation and excellent ancillary buildings create a first-rate dwelling, perfect for family living as well as entertaining.

The entrance lobby leads to an inner hall with doors to the main reception rooms. The superb kitchen/breakfast room has a range of bespoke hand painted units including a central island and a Stoves range with induction hob, Miele dishwasher and deep shelved larder. A door opens to the spacious laundry room and there is also a useful boot room with a cloakroom.

The snug has an extensive range of built-in bookshelves with an open fireplace. Across the hall is a good-sized study. The sitting room is particularly impressive and overlooks both the front and rear gardens, with doors to the rear garden and a period fireplace. This leads through to the dining room which has a vaulted ceiling with exposed timbers with French doors opening to the gardens.

On the first floor is the main bedroom, with a large en suite with a bath and walk-in shower. There are two further bedrooms, one with an en suite bathroom and the other with a shower room, as well as a fourth bedroom. On the second-floor are two further bedrooms, and a bathroom.

The Annexe Cottage
To the rear of the house is a self-contained cottage, comprising sitting room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. There is also a separate cloak room and store room for use with the swimming pool.

Outbuildings & Pool
The property has a good range of traditional outbuildings including a timber-framed barn, with wi-fi connected, ideal for parties, as a games room or gym. Adjoining the barn is a large workshop, bike/machine store and log store. Attached to the cottage is double garage with twin up and over doors housing the boiler for the pool. There is a further brick store just behind the house. The heated swimming pool is to the rear of the cottage and is fully enclosed for security.

Gardens and Grounds
Dark Lane House occupies a generous plot extending to about 3.5 acres approached via a shingle driveway, with ample car parking. A five-bar gate provides access to a further drive leading up to the front of the house.

The gardens are well-maintained with lawned areas interspersed by numerous well-stocked and colourful herbaceous borders and specimen trees. To the front and side of the house is a paved terrace for entertaining and there is an octagonal summer house. The rear garden has further lawns and a woodland garden, which leads to a hard tennis court sheltered by mature hedgerow. The gardens benefit from an automatic irrigation system which is supplied via a borehole located by the barn.

A five-bar gate opens to an area of paddock with some mature trees, extending to about one acre. To the rear of the barn is an area of kitchen garden and an orchard planted with varieties of apple, quince and plum.

Services
Mains water and electricity are connected. Oil-fired heating and private drainage. Borehole for garden irrigation. Ultrafast broadband is available.

Council Tax Band – H – East Suffolk District Council

Directions
What3words – ecologist.shape.sketches

Location
Easton is a picturesque village, nestled in the stunning Deben Valley, with many fine period houses, a renowned pub, The White Horse, as well as a parish church, cricket and bowls clubs. It is known for its landmark ‘crinkle crankle’ wall, formerly part of the estate of the Dukes of Hamilton. The village is conveniently located close to the market towns of Wickham Market and Framlingham both which have a good range of local shops, restaurants and small supermarkets. Framlingham also has a number of well-regarded schools. There are a number of excellent local pubs nearby at Kettleburgh, and Cretingham. Woodbridge is also within easy reach and has first rate leisure amenities including sailing, a cinema and a leisure centre. There is branch line rail service from Campsea Ash Station and mainline rail service to London Liverpool Street from Ipswich Station.