The Follies, Aldringham, IP16

The Follies Cottage is a charming four-bedroom detached home of approximately 2,433 sq. ft., sitting in a plot of around 0.8 acres (stms) on the edge of heathland and Thorpeness golf course. Accessed via a private half-mile track, it forms part of a small row of five cottages and enjoys beautiful views across open farmland and the Suffolk countryside. Believed to date back to the 1860s, the property was originally two farm workers’ cottages, purchased by the current family in the 1950s and later extended in the 1970s to create a spacious family home with excellent reception space, including a large sitting room, study, dining room, and snug. The property also benefits from solar panels and double-glazed windows and doors.

Set within mature gardens with an orchard and ample parking, Follies Cottage features a large rear garden providing a wonderful space for outdoor entertaining and enjoying the surrounding countryside. Close to Thorpeness, Aldeburgh and Leiston, and just beside the 11th green of Thorpeness Golf Club, this rural and idyllic home has been a haven for four generations. The property is offered for sale with no onward chain and, while pleasantly presented, would benefit from some refurbishment.

Accommodation comprises:

Entrance hall; Snug; Study; Dining room; Sitting room; Kitchen; Utility room; Cloakroom; Four bedrooms; One en-suite shower room; Shower room; Bathroom.

Exterior and garden:

The front of the property exudes traditional cottage charm, painted in a soft pink hue with white-framed windows and a welcoming front door. Climbing plants add greenery and character to the façade, softening the look and enhancing its classic countryside appeal. A neat lawned garden stretches along the front boundary, bordered by a simple white post-and-rope feature that perfectly complements the home’s cottage aesthetic. Established shrubs and colourful potted plants frame the entrance, while to one side, a covered carport provides convenient sheltered parking or storage. A pathway along the fence leads through to the rear garden.

The rear garden is a standout feature — a large, mature outdoor space that extends a considerable distance behind the house. Closest to the property, a paved patio area offers the perfect spot for al fresco dining or relaxing, surrounded by potted plants and enclosed by fencing and hedges for privacy. A small ornamental tree and well-kept planting beds bring structure and greenery to this area.

Beyond the patio, the garden opens into a wide, gently sloping lawn bordered by mature hedgerows and trees, creating a wonderfully private and secluded setting. The lawn offers ample space for children to play, hosting summer gatherings, or even adding features like a summer house or vegetable plot. Towards the far end, the garden transitions into a more natural, semi-wild space with long grass, mature trees — including fruit trees — and several wooden sheds and outbuildings. This section has a rustic, almost orchard-like feel, ideal for use as a workshop, wildlife area, or simply a peaceful retreat.

Overall, the garden strikes an ideal balance of usable space, privacy, and countryside character — a rare and highly desirable feature for a property of this type.

Location:

The tranquil village of Aldringham is conveniently situated less than three miles from the charming coastal town of Aldeburgh, and under two miles from both Thorpeness and Leiston. Nestled just inland from Suffolk’s Heritage Coast—an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty—the area offers an abundance of scenic footpaths through woodland, nature reserves, and along peaceful riverbanks.

Leiston provides a comprehensive range of shops and amenities, including a Co-op supermarket, chemist, post office, bank, doctors and dentist surgeries, vets, library, leisure centre, cinema, and several pubs. The town is well served by regular bus routes, while Saxmundham railway station, just four miles away, offers direct connections to Ipswich and London via the A12 corridor.

Nearby Aldeburgh offers stunning sea and river views, boutique shops, galleries, cafés, restaurants, and an independent cinema. Thorpeness, with its pub, Hotel Golf & Country Club, and access to the beach, lies close by, offering golf, sailing on the River Alde, and easy access to Aldeburgh to the south and Leiston to the north.

Services:

Oil fired heating and hot water. Mains water. Septic tank drainage.

Tenure:

Freehold

Terms: Guide price £725,000 subject to contract.