A Hidden Gem Holbrook | | Suffolk We bought the house in 2004 and raised our family here. Back then, the front comprised an eighteenth- century cottage with a nineteen seventies house at the back. I did lots of work on it and it was fine while the family were growing up. However, last year, I bit the bullet, got planning permission, hired an architect and replaced the cottage with a brand new two storey extension. I went from the ground up, new foundations, new steels, new everything.” A Hidden Gem

he Peninsula could well be hall is the open plan living area comprising Suffolk’s best-kept secret. Dotted with a lounge, dining room, kitchen and utility Tpretty villages and bordered by the room. All painted in neutral contemporary county’s two great rivers, the Orwell and the shades, these are ideally suited for family life. Stour, it’s a place which enjoys spectacular There is plenty of room for flexible living, light sunrises and sunsets, sitting beneath the pouring in through the windows and French huge over-arching Suffolk skies while being doors, a lovely working feature fireplace and within surprisingly easy reach of London. space enough for everyone to play, cook, work and relax to their heart’s content. The village of Holbrook is located five miles north of Ipswich, on the northern shore of On Your Doorstep... the Stour estuary. It’s a thriving place, with The vendor has many happy memories of its own artisan butcher, two pubs, a Grade II bringing up his family here. “It’s a family- listed church, a doctor’s surgery, a village hall friendly house without a doubt. It’s quiet with and a Co-op specialising in local produce. a beautiful garden and we’ve got everything There is a primary school and an academy in on the doorstep. Holbrook Academy did my the village, while the children proud and they walked there and is just down the road. Alton Water offers back every day. Suffolk Food Hall is just up endless opportunities to sail, surf, water the road and Alton Water is five minutes ski, cycle, camp and walk. Suffolk Coast and away. In the summer, you can walk over the Heaths AONB is located on the south of the fields to Freston and have lunch at The Boot, peninsula. amble down to the Butt and Oyster or just cycle or walk wherever you please. There’s so Past And Present much freedom for children here. Mine were Conveniently situated in the centre of the always down at the Stour, sailing on Alton village is this stunning five bedroomed family Walter or cycling.” home, recently renovated and refurbished to a very high standard. The present owner has The kitchen has been recently installed, with left absolutely no stone unturned in his quest smart dark grey doors and white composite to turn this house into an immaculate living work surfaces, it’s every cook’s dream. A space. brand-new top of the range Zanussi oven and hob, dishwasher, washing machine and The two buildings, fifty years apart, have fridge have hardly been used and there is been expertly blended to create one a very useful utility room next door. To the delightful open plan house. The brand-new right of the hall is a smart, contemporary front door, painted in a contemporary shade cloakroom and the delightful family room, of grey, opens into a spacious hall floored long, light and spacious. with laminate boards which run through downstairs rooms. There’s plenty of space under the stairs for storage and it would make a cosy children’s play nook. To the left of the A Hidden Gem

Charming Sunny Garden The back garden is mostly laid to lawn with a fishpond stocked with koi carp. There is a rare medlar tree, a magnolia which fills the garden with perfume and bloom, well- established shrubs and the mature wisteria which gives the house its name. “In springtime, the wisteria bursts into a mass of fragrant purple blooms. As a family, we spent loads of time out here. We used to have breakfast outside in the summer and most nights we’d have a barbecue and have our dinner together outside. I planted over a hundred bulbs last spring and I’ve just scattered wildflower seeds all around the edge of the back garden. I wanted to leave memories of my family here. It’s a totally private garden, not overlooked and perfect for children.”

The owner has installed oil-fired central heating, fed by a brand-new 1250 litre capacity oil tank controlled by Wi-Fi. “It’s got an alarm to tell you when the level’s getting low. You don’t even have to go outside. I replaced all the soffits and guttering, put in new windows and repaired others. I’ve kept all the paperwork and guarantees for whoever moves in.”

Excellent Transport Links The house is only ten minutes from Manningtree station with regular trains into Liverpool Street. Within easy reach of the A14, it is incredibly well-connected. With immaculate interiors, spacious accommodation and a delightful location, it is the perfect family home.

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 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, , Ipswich, Suffolk, United Kingdom, IP9 2AX. Regional Office: Exquisite Home, Valley Lane, Wherstead, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 2AX T +44(0)3455 651681 E [email protected]

www.exquisitehome.co.uk