Lime Blossom Cottage, Wrentham, Suffolk

Formed by combining two separate Georgian cottages, this house of singular charm sits in a pretty village near the Suffolk coast. It is surrounded by a large garden planted with mature perennials that thrive in their seaside clime. Several ancillary buildings dot the grounds, including an annexe, a summerhouse perfect for taking in sunsets, and a convenient potting shed; there is also private parking at the rear. Located within the Wrentham Conservation Area, the cottage is a short distance from Covehithe Beach, the popular town of Southwold and Brampton Station.

Setting the Scene

Part of a row of cottages, the house was built at a time when a new turnpike road began to bring travellers to Beccles from further afield. Its red-brick façade is accented with glazed black pantiles, sash windows marked with glazing bars under segmental arches, and decorative brick dentil eaves cornicing. For more information, please see the History section.

The Grand Tour

A paved path weaves through a mature garden planted with climbing roses, hardy geranium and other herbaceous perennials. From here is a glass porch along the house’s rear red-brick façade that beckons visitors in. Entry to the house is via the kitchen, through a stable style door that makes for an easy indoor/outdoor transition in the finer months.

There is a well-equipped kitchen, where an adjacent larder has plenty of space to stock and store. Sturdy slate flagstones begin underfoot here and continue into the adjacent dining space, where there is plenty of room for a farmhouse table of generous proportions. A downstairs WC and utility room is tucked alongside.

At the front of the plan is the large sitting room and lounge, painted in peaceful greenish blue. The chimney breast that divides the two spaces has a double-sided wood burning stove, that you can open and feed from both sides. In the sitting room, built-in shelving runs along one wall, allowing for a generous book collection along with glazed alcove cabinetry. Alcove space has also been fitted in the lounge, with chamfered beams running overhead and eight-over-eight sash windows taking in views of the front garden.

Stairs ascend to the first floor, where two bedrooms are arranged around a landing. A third bedroom and two well-sized bathrooms are accessed via a separate flight of stairs. Original floorboards run across the first floor and reclaimed stained-glass leaded panels have been used internally to share light between rooms.

A large studio annexe in the garden is a wonderful space to accommodate guests or embrace closer living with the gardens. Here, a delightful kitchen has been crafted from reclaimed timber and a cosy wood burner ensures a warming reception.

The Great Outdoors

Great attention has been paid to the planning and planting of the surrounding gardens. Embracing a wild and flowing style that provides year-round interest, the grounds are anchored by a series of species of trees and shrubs. Tall grasses wave in the sea breezes and a large climbing rose clambers over walls and structures. Nodding foxgloves poke their heads above the beds in the summer and alchemilla, ox eye daisy and clematis fill the beds with riotous colour throughout the warmer months.

A summerhouse to the rear of the garden is a perfect nook to while away the afternoon with a good book. Towards the end of the garden is a potting shed, with a gravelled parking area beyond an adjacent picket fence.

Out and About

Nestled between the larger towns of Southwold and Lowestoft, Wrentham is well served with plenty of amenities on hand including a selection of shops, two pubs, a café and a village shop with a post office. The cottage is within easy reach of the coast, with Covehithe, Southwold and Kessingland beaches all a short drive away.

Benacre Nature Reserve is also nearby, reachable by car or on foot. The reserve features extensive reedbeds, woodland and heathland. There are over 100 species of breeding birds, including marsh harrier, bearded reedling, water rail, and occasionally bittern. Reeds are cultivated here and used for the local thatch so indicative of Suffolk vernacular.

Slightly further afield, Southwold is a pretty town popular for days out. Home to the famous Adnams Brewery, Southwold is home to a team of independent shops, cafés and restaurants. Local favourite Sole Bay Fish Shop (currently closed for refurbishment but poised to reopen soon) is a popular seafood restaurant with a fishmongery at the entrance. Other popular spots include the Two Magpie Bakery, The Harbour Inn, and The Black Olive Delicatessen.

The village primary school in nearby Reydon has been rated as “Good” by Ofsted, as have the nearest secondary schools to the cottage: East Point Academy, Beccles Free School and Alde Valley.

The nearest station is Brampton just over 10 minutes away by car and runs services north to Lowestoft and south to Ipswich, where trains connect to London Liverpool Street.

Council Tax Band: C