Palmer Street, Walsham-Le-Willows

A fine Grade II listed former vicarage standing within generous private grounds grounds on the edge of the picturesque village of Walsham le Willows, this is a not to be missed opportunity for those looking for a family home full of character or a place to change the pace of life in retirement.

Built in the early to mid 16th century of traditional timber frame construction beneath a later plain tiled roof, this particularly elegant house retains a wealth of original features including many exposed timbers, studwork and fine arched fireplaces.

Rarely on the market, The Old Vicarage is a deceptively spacious light and airy home with well-proportioned rooms and fine views across open countryside while still being a short walk from the village centre and its local amenities.

Benefitting from no onward chain, the accommodation comprises an open entrance porch and heavy timber entrance door, opening to the reception hall with a traditional quarry tiled floor, wonderful display of exposed close studwork and stairs off to the first floor. The sitting room is an elegant reception room with a window overlooking the front lawn, circular feature window to the side, timber flooring and a fine arched brick fireplace with a wood burner. Off the sitting room, is a charming triple aspect snug creating a lovely space for relaxing with a good book. The dining room is ideal for entertaining with an arched feature fireplace and French windows to the front garden. The inner hall has an original china cupboard and doors to the cloakroom and outside. There is a bright, cosy study with windows to the rear. The well-equipped kitchen/ breakfast room is fitted with an extensive range of units providing plenty of drawer and cupboard space beneath granite worktops, complemented by appliances and a large walk-in pantry.

Stairs lead to the first-floor landing with exposed studwork and two built in cupboards. The four generous bedrooms are served by a family bathroom and separate shower.

Outside - The house is approached down a gravel drive providing extensive vehicle parking and turning space, leading to the garage and adjoining former cart lodge with hayloft/space above. The gardens are a particular feature surrounding the house with fine views to the rear across the adjacent countryside. Mostly laid to lawn the gardens are stocked with an abundance of flowering plants, mature shrubs and hedging, a variety of specimen trees, small vegetable plot and a small orchard. A brick and timber studio could provide an ideal home office.

Location - The house enjoys a delightful setting in a conservation area backing onto open countryside and farmland whilst situated within a short walk to the heart of the village. Walsham le Willows is one of the prettiest villages in the Mid Suffolk area, with a primary school, Rolfes traditional butcher's, public houses, and a fine church. It is equidistant from Bury St Edmunds, Diss and Stowmarket, which have excellent British Rail services to Liverpool Street (80 minutes).

Directions - When entering Walsham le Willows from Badwell Ash, turn right into Palmer Street. Continue along Palmer Street, where the entrance to the house will be found a short distance further on the right.

Services - Mains electricity, water and drainage. Oil fired radiator central heating.
Council Tax: Mid Suffolk Band: G
Broadband speed: Up to 80 mbps available (Source Ofcom)
Mobile phone signal for: EE, Three and O2 (Source Ofcom)
Flood Risk: Very Low Risk

Grade Ii Listing - House, used at one time as the Vicarage, but not purpose-built. Early to mid C16. Timber-framed and rendered, red brick gable ends, old plaintiled roof. 2 storeys; 2-cell end-chimney plan. The original stack on the right, set within the frame, has a plain rectangular shaft of old brick on a rendered base; the associated gable end is in Tudor brick with diaperwork in blue headers, a small original slit window to the upper floor, a circular window to the ground floor; later buttressing.

A small single-storey extension with hipped roof attached to this gable end has 3 cross windows. A later external stack on the left, also with a plain shaft. Modillion cornice, plain bargeboards. 3 windows to upper floor: one 2-light, 2 3-light, all old casements with a horizontal bar to lights.

On the ground floor, a 4-light casement window with transome to the right of the door, and to the left a half-glazed French door with 2 leaves; a small-paned single-light window beside the plank entrance door. Open C20 rustic porch. Interior with good framing exposed: close studding, main ceiling-beams with very large chamfer; cambered tie-beams with long arched braces to the upper floor.

Reconstructed fireplaces. Remains of 2 doorways in the internal partition wall, but no evidence for a typical service division into 2 on the left. Roof, which may originally have been hipped on the left, with plain queen-posts, arched braced to the collars and arcade plates; intermediate collars between trusses.