A New Chapter Falkenham | | A NEW CHAPTER

“This is a house for all generations; it’s a peaceful hamlet, yet you can be involved with local Churches and various activities every day and evening if you want to.”

Remote Beauty Just a few short miles from Suffolk’s premiere town, and even fewer miles from Britain’s most significant container port, sits the surprisingly remote and secluded village of Falkenham. Steeped in history, and looking out across Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB, the local parish is mentioned in the Doomsday Book, but this outstanding Hall has a fascinating history all of its own. Originally a farmhouse once responsible for thousands of acres of land, parts of this Grade II listed property on the peninsula date back as far as the C16 & C17, with extensive remodelling taking place in C19. The timber-framed home is full of character, and the vendors too have left their own sympathetic mark here throughout their ownership, spanning more than a third of a century. Making A Grand Entrance It was as a young couple in 1986 relocating from and additional french doors. Arguably the most Surrey that their love affair with Falkenham impressive room leading off the hall is yet to Hall began, and as you approach the front you come: the kitchen. can clearly see why. Arriving onto the gravel driveway, the Prostyle entrance portico takes Back To The Future your eye, with its elegant tiling, wooden columns, Throughout their time here, our current owners and reeded architrave; it is behind the panel have invested a great deal of energy, not only in front door however that the grandeur really lies. to raising a family, but raising a family home The two-storey hallway is flooded with natural too. They have done everything, from complete light, welcoming you in and swiftly drawing replacement of the roof and wiring, to new damp your attention to the large bright walls and the coursing and carpets, consistently decorating and recently added wood block flooring. From here updating; all the time looking ahead, whilst being you are spoilt for choice, wondering quite where respectful of the building’s history and features. to explore first. A wealth of beautifully presented For example, original fireplaces are regularly and generously sized reception rooms, bedrooms used and maintained throughout, but with the and bathrooms, each with their own individual addition of efficient user friendly wood-burners, character give you an abundance of versatility, but and where some ceilings boast modern recessed there is even more to this property than initially lighting, others still show off their original roses, meets the eye. coving and picture rails. This conscientious approach however is best demonstrated in the Room For Every Occasion capacious heart of the home, the centrepiece From the entrance hall, bearing right in to what is kitchen. Installed in 2002, the German built known as ‘The Snug’ will also lead you through units still look fresh and timeless with a quality to the current office space, beneath which lies a to match, providing the perfect companion to the cellar. It is fitted with a safe, but also provides the all important prime feature: an oil fuelled double ideal place for any wine connoisseur to indulge Aga. For extra storage, a handy boot room can their passion. From the office are two further be found, but continuing through the kitchen doorways: the first takes you to a lobby and takes you to an incredible space that just screams exterior side entrance, and the second returns you potential. Currently, this adjoining workshop, to the hallway, but not before passing a cloakroom barn and garage are very useful, there is even a and WC, and the first of two staircases leading water pump available here, however, should it up to the first floor. Bearing immediately left from be required, permission has already been sought the hall instead, directs you into the dining room, in the past to renovate this into a spacious currently configured for eight guests, although three bedroom room annex, making this a very more could comfortably be accommodated. attractive proposition for those wishing to either Should the occasion call for it, pre dinner drinks keep a relative close-by, or create a studio or can easily be enjoyed outside through the french home work space, subject to appropriate consent doors in the exclusive walled garden. Prior to of course. the Victorian additions, another window once looked out facing north, towards what is now the drawing room and one of the finest areas in the house. Tastefully decorated, the serene ambience here is created from the seamless marriage with the garden, through the floor to ceiling windows

These rooms have had so many different uses over the years, and when I’m not working or studying I now spend a large portion of my time around the kitchen”

I just love the kitchen, it’s great in the winter, and in the summer all the doors are open and the dogs can wander freely in and out”. Upstairs Downstairs, and Upstairs Again Having explored all the possibilities at ground level, we now alight the second staircase to find yet further potential. At first glance we see six immaculate double bedrooms, two bathrooms and a wet room, yet closer inspection reveals a very well considered layout indeed. There are two generous chambers with interconnecting doorways facing the front of the house, and the two to the left of the property directly share a bathroom in what is known as ‘Jack and Jill’ style. Over the kitchen is where things become more interesting though, as the bedrooms and bathroom here can immediately become private accommodation with the closing of a single door. There is ample space, we are told, for towels and blankets for guests, and according to our vendors, an extra staircase was used here to adjoin this ‘flat’ (once used to accommodate servants) to the kitchen downstairs. Speaking of staircases, yet another flight leads off the landing and up to yet more usable space, in the form of attic rooms. Having been plastered and wired, all three could serve as bedrooms, and with a little more planning, water could also be connected for an additional bathroom.

After a long day, there is no better remedy than to enjoy one of the many stunning walks with the dogs around the Deben Marshes and Kings Fleet, before settling back down on the bench with a glass of wine in hand to fully enjoy one of the most divine views in the county. Don’t just take our word for it though; following one of several visits here, Simon Knott, curator of suffolkchurches.co.uk , also agrees:“But you leave that all behind when you enter the churchyard of St Ethelbert, into the shadows of the large lime trees and Victorian houses. And beyond the church, beyond the village, there is a view across the Deben estuary to on the far shore, several miles away, the pub and the church and the marshes between, and the low hills beyond. It is one of the loveliest views I know in Suffolk.” Saintly Neighbours and Heavenly Views Back outside, once you have finished admiring the walled garden in all its glory and made a note of the added security it provides, you will notice a gate leading in to the neighbouring garden, belonging to St Ethelbert! There is evidence here of the Church’s origins stretching back many hundreds of years, but like the house, it was also built on to substantially in the C19. A noteworthy name inside is Benjamin Ashewell Posford: Farmer, Suffolk Punch Breeder, Artist, and resident of the hall at the turn of the nineteenth century. Further information on the family is readily accessible online but it is interesting to note here that his grandson, George Benjamin Ashewell Posford, went on to become a well known composer. Currently in the owners possession is original documentation dating back to 1948, which makes for very interesting reading also. One of several perks offered by this Holy relationship with the neighbours is your very own pew, which is even mentioned in the deeds, however the present occupiers favoured ‘pew’ is located at the front of the church, not inside.

A New Chapter and Verse Romanticism aside, the location of this magnificent property facilitates the practicalities too, with excellent road and rail links, first class medical services, a very good choice of both Private and State schools, nearby farm-shops, independent cafés and restaurants alongside well known supermarkets and retailers; not to mention a wealth of leisure activities, including golfing and water sports, all at your fingertips. “Being remote and for peace of mind, we have just installed a state-of-the-art alarm system, there is no through traffic, only keen nature-loving walkers. The friendly villagers like to stop and chat and know and recognise everybody by sight, which is doubly reassuring”.

Given the chance, our owners would purchase their home all over again, and in a heartbeat would simply pick it up and take it across the country to their chosen destination, but it is now time to hand over their legacy to a new custodian, someone who will fall in love with, and begin to write a new History of All measurements are approximate and quoted in imperial with metric equivalents and for general guidance only whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred Falkenham Hall. to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified and should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent. Registered in England and Wales, Company Reg No.10931078 Exquisite House, Alton Business Centre, Wherstead, Ipswich, Suffolk, United Kingdom, IP9 2AX.

EXQUISITE HOME

At Exquisite Home, we offer a refreshing The more prestigious a property, the smaller the approach to selling or letting exclusive homes, number of potential buyers. Buyers of exclusive combining individual flair and attention with properties are generally not constrained by the local expertise of independent estate agents such influences as specific location, proximity to create a strong international network, with to public transportation or local amenities, In powerful marketing capabilities. We understand today’s market, the mobility of buyers is also moving home is one of the most important greater than ever and they could come from, decisions you make; your home is both a financial quite literally, anywhere- through local and and emotional investment. Exclusive properties regional marketing, national newspapers and also require a tailored approach to marketing. magazines or; increasingly, internationally using Our bespoke service adopts a lifestyle approach interactive technologies, with this in mind, we to the promotion of your property, combined have created a marketing strategy to target a with an efficient sales process and outstanding suitable geo-demographic profile of potential customer service. The widespread exposure of buyers around the world. prime residential properties is crucial.

6 Exquisite Home, Exquisite House, Alton Water Business Centre, Wherstead, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 2AX T +44(0) 1473 558885 E [email protected]

www.exquisitehome.co.uk