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Brent Eleigh, Suffolk, England
Number of guests
Sleeps up to 12 (+ cots/camp beds for infants and summer camping space)
Property description
Street Farm is a five-bedroomed farmhouse in the Suffolk countryside, under two hours from London and an ideal venue for large family groups.
The original part of the farm, the hall, dates from the late 14th century and you'll notice some fine original features including exposed oak beams, large fireplaces, an original medieval staircase and an exposed Crown Post. To quote from an historical survey of the property, '… remarkably few alterations have taken place at Street Farm since the 17th century, excepting the new facade of 1880 and the rebuilding of the chimney stacks at the turn of the millennium .... Street Farm is an extraordinary survival that offers important insight into the nature of medieval life'.
Despite its age, the property is light, airy and spacious, as the majority of the rooms are dual-aspect with good height ceilings. It has been completely renovated and is furnished throughout in a simple, comfortable, modern way.
The grounds extend in total to five-and-a-half acres and are great for children to explore. There is a formal garden area surrounding the house with a range of original single storey farm outbuildings. The house lies in a conservation area on the edge of the small village of Brent Eleigh and looks out across the River Brett to its own willow plantation.
Location
Street Farm lies on a no-through road on the edge of the attractive little village of Brent Eleigh in the Brett Valley in South Suffolk. It is surrounded by scenic, undulating countryside. Brent Eleigh itself has no amenities other than the Cock pub which is five minutes' walk from the house. It is small and characterful, and serves simple meals. Nearby Lavenham (2 miles), one of the best-preserved medieval villages in England, has a good range of pubs, restaurants and shops, including a traditional butcher and bakery and a small Co-Op supermarket. Monks Eleigh is also 2 miles away, with a community-run shop and good food pub. Sudbury is a bigger market town, 8 miles away, with a Waitrose and full range of other shops. It is 75 miles to central London (1hr 50 mins by car).
This is a particularly lush area of Suffolk, of windy lanes, fields and meandering rivers, providing many enjoyable walks and gentle bike rides.
Nearest airport: Stansted (40 miles)
Nearest station: Sudbury (1hr 15 mins to London, via Marks Tey). Colchester (17 miles) has direct trains to London.
Accommodation
Despite its history, Street Farm feels light and airy thanks to high ceilings and plentiful windows. The décor has been kept simple and modern. Much of the furniture is new, and has been purchased specifically to make the house comfortable for guests.
The traditional style oak farmhouse kitchen has an Aga and a separate pantry. There's a large wooden table and chairs for informal meals.
The dining room is large and light, with a modern table seating 12 and views over the garden and river. The drawing room is part of the original 14th century hall, and has oak beams and an inglenook fireplace. It's furnished in a simple style with Heal's lighting, a white sofa and comfortable armchairs. There's a second, sizeable sitting room with a log burner, a large sofa and a wide selection of books and games.
There's a useful utility room which opens onto the garden.
There are five bedrooms and two bathrooms. All are carefully decorated with wooden beams or floors featured where possible. The master has an antique oak double bed and wardrobe plus a single bed, a vaulted ceiling and exposed beams.
Camping space for extra guests is available during the summer, by prior arrangement.
Facilities
Domestic facilities include an electric oven and hob, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer.
In terms of entertainment there is a TV and DVD player, CD player, iPod dock and various books and games.
There's a log burner in the living room and a barbecue in the garden.
NB: Sorry, no smoking is permitted inside the house.
Area
This is a beautiful part of Suffolk, with various local attractions as well as the delightful Suffolk coast which is only an hour away, well within daytrip range.
Places to visit include:
* The historic weaving village of Lavenham with its half-timbered houses and National Trust Guildhall (2 miles)
* Various other National Trust properties, including Melford Hall in the lovely little town of Long Melford and Ickworth House and gardens near Bury St Edmunds (14 miles)
* Kentwell (8 miles)
* Bury St Edmunds has a beautiful ancient abbey
* Cambridge - famous university town (40 miles).
* Colchester - castle and excellent zoo (17 miles).
* Castle Hedingham (12 miles) which has the best-preserved Norman Keep in England. Its regular re-enactments are very popular with children.
* Colne Valley Steam Railway (12 miles).
* Suffolk Heritage Coast - including Aldeburgh and Southwold
* Constable Country - Dedham, Flatford Mill and surrounding villages. Home of landscape artist John Constable (16 miles).
* Farmers' markets at Lavenham and Sudbury
*Newmarket – HQ of the racing world, open to visitors.
Prices
£1,800 per week during school holidays
At all other times: £1,400 per week
Weekend (2 nights): £750
NB: 10% off any booking made before the end of July 2010
Christmas and New Year 2010: £2,250 per week
Contact the property owners
Phone: +44 (0)777 3080113
Fax: N/A
Please note that you cannot rent this property directly from The Big Domain. If you wish to rent Street Farm, Suffolk, or would like to enquire about availability, please click on the Contact the Property Owner button above, and use the form provided to contact the owner directly.
