Santon Downham, Brandon

Tucked away and nestled in the trees at the edge of the picturesque village of Santon Downham was once found 2 brick and flint forestry worker cottages. Originally built in the 1860’s (but not Listed) these have been combined and sympathetically renovated by the current owners. Woodcock cottage is now a spacious, versatile and high specification 3/4-bedroom home with all the modern luxury you would expect to find in an executive property but whilst retaining the existing charm of its former life.

Set within approx. 2/3 acre, the grounds wrap around the property to create your own peaceful, wildlife haven. A large tarmac driveway provides ample space for inviting family and friends round to share in the serenity this beautiful home and gardens offer.

Stepping into the large entrance hall with high ceiling, there is plenty of space to store those muddy boots and coats. With underfloor heating throughout the whole property, those toes will stay warm in winter.

A small oak staircase takes you up into the large, light and spacious lounge area with limestone floors to compliment the age of the house and aid in the breathability of an old building.

This leads through to a generous sized, bright dining room overlooking the wildflower bed with a feature inglenook that has been bespoke made using reclaimed wooden lintels from the renovations (as are the downstairs windowsills). Also, within the same wall, can be found the original bread oven which has been restored and now serves as an additional storage cupboard.

The open plan lounge diner area offers lovely garden views to multiple aspects and is a bright, versatile space.

A further reception room is found to the other side of the lounge and although used by the current owners as a playroom and study, it lends itself to a snug or even a 4th bedroom with the potential to create its own ensuite in the study space. It also enjoys its own direct access outside.

Turning right from the entrance hall leads to a stunning kitchen with modern utility attached, with space for washing machine and tumble dryer, whilst also housing the boiler and mains pressure water tank. The kitchen is a fantastic inside-outside entertaining space with large glass and aluminium sliding doors leading to a great sized deck. It really is a superb hub of the home. With high quality integrated Bosch appliances (full height fridge and full height freezer), integrated dishwasher and two Siemens ovens (one which doubles up as a microwave) and a 5-ring Siemens induction hob with extractor above, it’s a dream to cook in. With an abundance of quartz worktop space, large dining island and numerous cupboard storage including walk in pantry this a fantastic, stylish and practical kitchen. An oak and glass staircase with huge feature window framing the pine trees outside, leads you upstairs where the same high specification finish can be found. There are 2 good king size bedrooms and a modern well-appointed family bathroom to one half of the house and the large principal bedroom with stunning ensuite to the other. Everything has been thought of by the current owners to create a useable, practical family home with luxury finishes whilst taking care of an old building. The house has new (all installed in 2022) electrical wiring throughout, new plumbing including wet underfloor heating system throughout which is supplied by a new LPG underground tank outside and new boiler system inside. The roof was also re-felted and newly tiled as part of the renovations. Breathable insulation has been used throughout, including beneath the downstairs floor, in-between floors and in the loft to create a very energy efficient house which for its size and age is remarkable. Even the lime plaster to the walls has insulating fibres in it! All the fixtures and fittings are of a high quality with Grohe sanitary ware in both bathrooms and demister pads behind the mirrors, and high-end appliances in the kitchen. Quality materials have been used such as limestone flooring, engineered oak flooring in the kitchen, utility and bedrooms 2 and 3. Plenty of space for furniture and with no radiators to contend with make all rooms very flexible to make them your own. There’s an array of fitted wardrobes and drawers in the principal bedroom and bespoke made vanity in the en-suite. Throughout the property each room has an individually controlled thermostat for the underfloor heating, the whole house has cat 6 cabling to each room, there are multiple network points for tv’s and access points. It is fully equipped for internet connectivity throughout the inside and outside of the property which is an unusual feature for a house of this age. This high attention to detail throughout the main home, is carried over to the garden office building. It offers a flexible space whether for home workers or just additional reception space. With 2 Mitsubishi units providing air conditioning and heating, it’s an all-year-round functional space, with open garden views at the front and views into the forest at the rear. Subject to the necessary planning consents, it could be modified to full annexe accommodation. As per the house, it’s equipped with Cat 6 cabling and fully insulated making it an energy efficient space.

Outside - Set on approx. 2/3 of an acre, the wrap around garden and grounds have been divided up into functional, enjoyable spaces. The large tarmac driveway through a gated entrance provides ample parking and access to the large garage with power and lighting. The front garden is accessed via a small gate and provides tidy plant and gravel borders around a lawned area. Sweeping around to the rear, is a mature tree and shrub bed which leads to a wildflower patch and further tree borders. It then opens out to the main lawned area and garden building framed by the surrounding pines and mature trees. From here you look back on to the kitchen with a large, decked area for enjoying those long summer evenings in your own bubble of peace and nature. Under the kitchen window, a garden bench provides the perfect setting for watching the birds and squirrels. The current owners delight watching the birds on the feeder, to name but a few: Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Siskins, Nuthatches and Long Tailed Tits. Swifts also fly over in the summer, and they’ve had many bluetits, blackbirds, wagtails and greenfinch nesting in the garden within the Springtime. Another delight to watch is the abundance of butterflies and even dragonflies in the summer months. Lastly there is a large metal storage shed next to a vegetable garden area which could be developed further with raised beds. The septic tank with drainage field and the underground LPG tank are situated at this far end of the garden also.

Location - Santon Downham in Suffolk is a small village but with a big community feel. It has a very active village hall with many events organised and fitness classes hosted throughout the year. It also has its own members club with a licensed bar. Less than a 10-minute drive away, is the small Suffolk town of Brandon with a busy high street for all your essential needs: supermarket, doctors, dentist, schools and sports clubs. Slightly further afield is the Suffolk town of Bury St Edmunds with a broad range of shops and entertainment facilities. Also, with Santon Downham being situated on the border with Norfolk you can reach its wonderful coastline, such as Brancaster Beach and Holkham Beach in around 1hr and 10 minutes. Woodcock Cottage enjoys the forest directly on its doorstep, whether you want to go for an evening stroll through the woods or take a 5 min walk to the Little Ouse River where you might find families playing Pooh sticks or paddle boarders in the summer. For those with horses there’s plenty of nearby equestrian facilities. Equally well catered for are the outdoor enthusiasts, with the Forestry England owned High Lodge a very short drive or cycle away. So, whether it’s the active lifestyle or quiet paced walks in nature that you seek, this wonderfully appointed home has it all.

Directions - When entering Thetford from the direction of Bury St Edmunds on the A134, proceed over the traffic lights and then straight over the roundabout towards Brandon on the B1077. Take the turning to Santon Downham and proceed into the village. At the green, bear left and the house will be found at the end of the lane.

Services - Mains electricity, water, LPG gas fired full underfloor heating throughout. Installed 2022
Private drainage.
Council tax - West Suffolk. Band F.
Broadband speed: Up to 1800 mbps available (Source Ofcom)
Mobile phone signal for: Three and O2 (Source Ofcom)