Birch House, Peasenhall, Suffolk

Located in Peasenhall, Suffolk, this wonderful architect-designed house was created with the wider landscape in mind. It has four bedrooms arranged in a versatile configuration across its ground and first floors, along with a double-height living space where sliding doors open seamlessly to a Mediterranean-inspired terrace surrounded by grapevines, herbs and structural shrubs. There is a meadow garden at the front with a rich array of fruit trees, including fruiting quince, pear and figs. A short distance from the coast, Peasenhall is a friendly village with wonderful local amenities; it is also close to Saxmundham station for rail services to London Liverpool Street.

Environmental Performance

Birch House was designed with a strong commitment to sustainability and longevity. Eco-conscious interventions include an air-source heat pump, MVHR, and underfloor heating, along with 12 photovoltaic panels and a 7.5kW battery storage system.

The Tour

Birch House lies in the centre of Peasenhall yet the surrounding trees, flowers and shrubs enhance its private feel. Its exterior is clad in ThermoWood and has dramatic standing seam aluminium roofs.

There are several points of connection between inside and out. The main entrance, tucked to one side of the house, is through a wide, sea-green aluminium door. Beyond lies a hallway where the purposefully minimal palette of LVT floors and white-painted walls begins. A convenient utility room extends on one side.

On the other, the double-height living space comes into view. An unobstructed line of sight draws the gaze through sliding doors at the far end towards the garden, while the first-floor gallery above unveils hidden volumes.

The living area is divided between sitting and dining areas, its versatility apt for multiple configurations. The kitchen lies beyond, with a cut-out section and open doorway that create a sense of cohesion.

Colour has been confidently used in the kitchen, with gentle green Fenix-fronted plywood units from Plykea. Countertops are formed of quartz, and integrated appliances include a double Neff oven, Bosch dishwasher and gas hob. Light enters from two sides, including through a glazed door to the garden. At the opposite end, a sliding door conceals a generous walk-in pantry with a door to the rear of the house.

At the rear of the living space is a handsome wood-lined wall with a door to a flexible snug or office space. On another side is an internal circulation space with access to a large store and the principal bedroom. Blue carpet grounds and dual-aspect glazing (including a door) provides strong connections with the garden. The room has a smart en suite shower room and a freestanding bathtub.

The second ground-floor bedroom is at the other end of the house. It has direct access to the outdoors - making it a private space for visiting friends or family.

Stairs ascend from the living room to the first-floor galleried landing, where engineered wood runs underfoot. At either end of the first floor are two additional bedrooms beneath the angular pitch of the roof. The views from here are beautiful, stretching across the neighbouring fields.

Outdoor Space

Generous grounds emanate from the house, designed with the same exacting approach to detail as the building.

An Indian sandstone terrace abuts the living room and makes for fuss-free summertime hosting. White-painted beds surround this area and are planted with a resplendent array of Mediterranean flowers, including canna, creeping rosemary and verbena.

Beyond lies a meadow area, which has been left naturalistic to meld with the broader environment. A wildflower mix has been planted here, while birch, apple, plum, quince and pear trees enhance privacy. On the other side of the house is a peaceful Japanese-inspired garden, which provides a shady respite on the warmest of days.

A private shingle driveway leads up to the house, with space to park up to 4 cars.

The Area

Peasenhall is held as one of Suffolk’s most desirable villages on account of its community feel and proximity to beautiful landscape and the coast. The village straddles the picturesque Yoxford-Stowmarket road and has a range of amenities, including a shop, post office and Emmett's deli, which has a royal warrant. For a wider range of shops, Saxmundham is a short drive away and has a branch of Waitrose.

There is a strong sense of community locally - the village hall has been known to host cinema nights, concerts and a pop-up pub. Dining options include Sibton White Horse pub, along with Weaver's Tea Room.

Peasenhall is less than 10 miles from the sea, and the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB, which covers 403 square kilometres, including wildlife-rich wetlands, ancient heaths, windswept shingle beaches and historic towns and villages.

The towns of Woodbridge, Aldeburgh and Orford are all close. The latter, a pretty medieval village on the River Ore, attracts visitors for its daily drops of fresh lobster and crabs, its renowned oysterage and smokehouse and the excellent Pump Street Bakery.

Aldeburgh is famed for ice cream, fish and chips and having once been home to Benjamin Britten. It also has independent shops and galleries and wonderful places to eat. The world-famous Snape Maltings concert hall is just a few miles inland.

There are state-run primary schools in Yoxford and Saxmundham. Framlingham College is a short drive away and is a popular private boarding and day option.

Trains from Saxmundham station reach London Liverpool Street within two hours. The A12 is reached in under 10 minutes, providing access to Ipswich in 45 minutes and London in around three hours.

Council Tax Band: D