Perfect for a family get-together or for a getaway with friends, this idyllic Grade II-listed cottage is situated in the pretty village of Westleton, mid-way between the delightful seaside towns of Aldeburgh and Southwold, both 9 miles away. The village, centred around a traditional green, has two pubs, two second-hand book shops, a tea room and a well-stocked village store/post office, and is an ideal base for walking, bird-watching and cycling. The quiet village of Dunwich is just 2.5 miles away, known as England’s ‘lost city’ – once a thriving medieval port, since lost to storms and coastal erosion. Now it has a pebble beach, a large nature reserve and the ruins of a medieval friary to explore. In Walberswick, 6.5 miles, you will find pubs, tea rooms, restaurants and boutique shops, as well as a lovely sand-and-shingle beach. The RSPB’s Minsmere nature reserve is 3 miles, where you can walk, enjoy family-friendly activities, and see an impressive variety of birds, including avocets, bearded tits and bitterns. If you’re lucky you might even catch sight of an otter, too.
The property dates back to the 17th century, and its history is evident in its gorgeous features, which include exposed beams, latched doors and charming fireplaces. There is a welcoming, old-meets-new feel, with a mix of modern and antique furnishings that are high quality and beautifully co-ordinated to complement the spacious rooms. Entering the large hall there is storage space, seating and a table football game – with a retro fridge nearby, ideal for competition drinks and snacks. The fabulous sitting room is a real home from home, with its comfortable seating, warm lighting, soft rug, shelves full of books and wood burner. Like the other rooms on the ground floor, it has elegant timber flooring. The dining area is another wonderful space, with not only a large table and chairs but also additional seating, display shelving and a wood burner-effect electric fire. At the end of this area is the bespoke, Shaker-style kitchen, with a wooden worktop, built-in appliances and ceramic butler’s sink. This handsome area is superbly equipped for preparing delicious meals, perhaps using local delicacies. On the ground floor there is also a queen-size bedroom, with a door to the garden, and the family shower room with a large corner shower and impressive, period-style sanitaryware. Upstairs, three further bedrooms are tucked under sloping, beamed ceilings and are softly carpeted. The principle king-size bedroom has a generously sized en-suite with a roll-top bath and hand-held shower attachment – definitely a wow-factor room. The second king-size bedroom is another lovely room, through which is accessed the large twin bedroom – an ideal set-up for parents with younger children.
Outside the cottage is a large, private garden on two levels, mostly lawned and with a border of flower beds. Here you can spend warmer days and nights enjoying the fresh air and perhaps eating alfresco at the dining table provided.