Long Melford, Suffolk

An attractive Grade II listed cottage with existing 'holiday let' accommodation, tucked away in mature partially walled gardens, extending to around 0.33-acre. Convenient for Long Melford and Lavenham.

The Forge Cottage is an attractive Grade II listed cottage, believed to date back to the 16th-century and built of traditional timber-frame construction under a thatch roofline. The property has been subject to many improvements over recent years, with modern infrastructure complementing a character house of particular charm, with many notable features and comfortable and versatile living accommodation.

The accommodation is arranged over two floors, extending to almost 1,700sq-ft, with the additional option of offering ‘holiday let’ accommodation close to two cultural tourist ‘hotspots’ of Lavenham and Long Melford, but equally works well as part of the principal house.

The timber front door leads to a large double aspect, L-shaped reception hall, with pamment floors and exposed timbers. The sitting room has an attractive red-brick inglenook fireplace with log storage and wood-burning stove on brick hearth, exposed timbers and floorboards and double aspect. The sitting room leads to the principal bathroom, with luxury suite including a roll top bath with mixer tap and shower attachment, separate shower cubicle, WC and vanity wash hand basin.

The kitchen is equipped with a range of matching wall and base units with solid wooden work surfaces and exposed timbers to the ceilings and walls. A fine feature has been made of an original brick arched fireplace with inset bressummer beam, range style cooker with Calor gas hob and extractor fan above. Butler sink with mixer tap over, integrated slimline dishwasher and fridge. The kitchen opens through to an attractive garden/dining room, with views over the gardens.

From the hall, is a separate entrance door, which has been used by those booking the holiday let room. This hallway flows around to the principal house, as well as access to its own shower room and utility room/kitchenette, there is an independent staircase leading to a wonderful vaulted bedroom, attractive Victorian fireplace with hand-painted tiled cheeks and oak flooring.

The staircase for the principal house leads up to a landing area and access to three bedrooms, two of which are good-sized double bedrooms with views over the attractive gardens, bedroom 3 presently serving as a dressing room.

Outside
The Forge Cottage is approached via five-bar gates leading to a large gravelled area of parking.

The property's rear garden is divided into many different areas and adjacent to the property itself is a large brick terrace leading out to a large expanse of lawn is interspersed with mature, well-stocked beds which contain a colourful variety of plants, flowers and maturing trees. Toward the top of the garden is a large decked terrace enclosed by a mellow red brick and flint wall overlooking neighbouring farmland.

A paved pathway leads around to the front of the property into a further secluded area of lawn with a particularly fine Weeping Willow tree and is bordered by the River Chad. A gravelled area provides an attractive area of seating and currently contains a timber hot tub and further summerhouse with an electricity supply.

There is a superb, beautifully created workshop/studio, power and light connected, and containing a range of base level units with space for a variety of equipment. Vaulted ceiling with exposed timbers and a staircase rising to useful mezzanine level.

Services
Mains water and electricity • Oil-fired heating • Private drainage • Thatch roof replaced in 2015 • Council Tax Band ‘E’ • Broadband: Ofcom suggest Superfast 80Mb • Mobile: Ofcom suggest all providers likely.

Agents Note
The holiday let ‘Willow Barn’ can be found on Bookings.com.