Pakenham, Bury St. Edmunds

SITUATION & LOCATION Believed to date back to the 1700's, Bell House is a beautiful Grade II Listed period house, originally the 'Bell Inn' until the mid 1800's when it became a private residence and around the 1950,s included a Surgery for the village doctor who resided there at that time. The property was listed in 1983, and the current owners have lived in the property for the last eleven years. The Grade II Listing describes Bell House as a timber framed property, rendered under a pantiled roof.

The property is situated in a central position in the village fronting The Street, with access directly onto a spacious driveway and courtyard as well as the double timber garage. Overall, the plot extends to approximately 0.35 acre (subject to survey), most of the garden ground being located to the rear and carefully landscaped by the current vendors to create a beautiful well stocked cottage garden with a bounty of different varieties of shrubs, trees and bushes- all carefully planted to give year-round interest and colour. There is also a lovely summer house or den.

Whilst the house offers an abundance of modern conveniences, Bell House is full of character and charm with so many original period features including exposed joists, beams and studwork, preserved Mullion windows, delightful Inglenook fireplaces and some original Pamment floors. In fact, if you look closely in the kitchen, there is decorative Ceiling beam with carvings, believed by historians to have originated in Bury St Edmunds Cathedral.

The property has ample and versatile accommodation over three floors, the ground floor boasting two formal reception rooms, each with large inglenook fireplaces, the sitting room also having a wood burning stove. The well-appointed kitchen/breakfast room has solid oak fronted cabinets, granite work surfaces and a dual fuel Range cooker; there is a useful cloakroom and a lovely rear garden room or snug with Vaulted ceiling. This leads directly onto the rear garden. There are five bedrooms to the first and second floors, the principal bedroom having a useful en suite shower room and there is a family bathroom also to the first floor. There is oil fired central heating throughout the property.

Pakenham is a very desirable village with a thriving local community and facilities which include an excellent local shop, post office, village hall and a public house. There is a church and the village is best known as "the village of two mills" with its historic water mill and windmill. Bell House is situated only a 5 minute drive from Thurston Station, with fast trains to Cambridge for work and pleasure, and to Stowmarket for connections to London

The sale of this delightful property offers a wonderful opportunity to those purchasers seeking a stunning home of character in a village location, but still within easy access of the nearby towns, road and rail links. Early viewings are recommended. 

ENTRANCE LOBBY With oak entrance door and leaded light glazed oak windows; radiator; staircase with under stairs storage cupboard leading to first floor; Pamment floor. 

SITTING ROOM 17' 10" x 15' 5" (5.46m x 4.70m) Inglenook fireplace with Bressemer beam and quarry tiled hearth incorporating wood-burning stove; exposed beams, joists and stud work; radiator; windows to front and side aspect, secondary glazing to side window. Matching wall lights, Fitted carpet. 

DINING ROOM 17' 10" x 17' 1" (5.46m x 5.23m) Inglenook fireplace with Bressemer beam and brick hearth incorporating fire grate with Brass canopy; exposed features including brickwork, beams, joists, stud work and original window Mullions; radiator; windows to front and side aspect; fitted oak corner unit with shelving. Matching wall lights, Pamment floor. 

KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM 15' 7" x 13' 5" (4.75m x 4.09m) Exceptionally well fitted with range of oak fronted wall and floor cupboard units with granite work surfaces over incorporating one and a half bowl stainless steel sink unit with mixer tap; integrated dishwasher, former inglenook fireplace with Bressemer beam incorporating Rangemaster Classic 110 Deluxe dual fuel (electric/LPG) range oven with twin ovens and grill, five burner hob and induction hot plate; windows to front and rear aspect, one secondary glazed; exposed joists and beams; radiator; space for fridge freezer; tiled floor. 

INNER LOBBY With oak stable door to outside; tiled floor. 

CLOAKROOM With WC and wash hand basin; radiator; tiled floor. 

SNUG/ GARDEN ROOM 12' 11" x 11' 5" (3.96m x 3.48m) Vaulted ceiling. Range of fitted cupboards concealing provision for washing machine as well as single drainer sink unit with cupboards below and shelving above; radiator; Travertine tiled floor; fitted Broom cupboard; radiator; window to side; softwood framed sealed unit double glazed French doors with glazed side panels leading to rear garden.
 

STAIRCASE WITH OAK BALUSTRADE LEADING FROM ENTRANCE LOBBY TO FIRST FLOOR:  

LANDING Exposed features including former brick fireplace with hearth, exposed brickwork and exposed joists and stud work; fitted carpet. (With two steps down to small rear landing). 

MASTER BEDROOM ONE 15' 5" x 12' 9" (4.72m x 3.89m) Radiator; windows to front and side aspect, the side window having secondary glazing; features including original mullions, exposed joists and stud work and brick fireplace with arched opening; fitted carpet. Storage cupboards with hanging rails and shelving. 

EN SUITE SHOWER ROOM 8' 2" x 4' 5" (2.51m x 1.35m) Shower cubicle with thermostatically controlled plumbed in shower incorporating overhead rain shower and handheld shower attachment, vanity wash basin with mirror and shaver point over, WC; chrome heated towel rail; vinyl tiled floor. 

BEDROOM TWO 13' 5" x 12' 4" (4.09m x 3.76m) Window to side aspect with secondary glazing; radiator; exposed stud work; deep walk-in wardrobe with hanging rail and shelving; fitted carpet. 

BATHROOM 9' 4" x 6' 9" (2.87m x 2.08m) Panelled bath with plumbed in shower over and glass shower screen, vanity wash basin and WC; radiator; airing cupboard containing pressurised, hot water cylinder and immersion heater; laminate flooring. 

BEDROOM THREE/DRESSING ROOM 13' 5" x 12' 2" (4.11m x 3.71m) Radiator; Windows to side aspects; extensive range of fitted bedroom furniture, including full height wardrobes with hanging rails and shelving as well as drawer units; fitted carpet.
 

STAIRCASE WITH OAK BALUSTRADE LEADING FROM LANDING TO SECOND FLOOR:  

LANDING Sloping ceiling; sealed unit double glazed dormer window; exposed stud work; fitted carpet. 

BEDROOM FOUR 15' 5" x 14' 0" (4.70m x 4.27m) L-Shaped With exposed beam and stud work; radiator; secondary glazed window at side; sloping ceilings; fitted carpet. (Currently used as Office). 

BEDROOM FIVE 14' 0" x 13' 10" (4.27m x 4.22m) With sloping ceilings; secondary glazed window; exposed joist and stud work; radiator; fitted carpet. 

OUTSIDE Stepping out into the garden, you'll find yourself on a spacious patio terrace that overlooks the beautifully landscaped garden. With its west-facing orientation, this area is ideal for evening dining and entertainment. The garden, designed in a charming cottage style, features a well-maintained lawn, various shrubs, and mature trees. Delightful footpaths meander through the garden, with one leading to a greenhouse and the other to a secondary lawn area with raised vegetable patches. At the garden's far end, beyond the small stream and a gate there are views across private open land and gardens. Additionally, the property includes a large driveway with ample parking, secured by a five-bar gate, and a timber-framed double garage. There is also a very useful timber summerhouse that could serve as a gym or home office. 

SERVICES Mains water and electricity are connected. Mains drainage. Oil fired central heating. 

TENURE Freehold 

COUNCIL TAX BAND Band G