2 Russell Cottages, Capel St. Mary, IP9 2EA

WOW - Stunning Property Alert   I  2 Russell Cottages  I  Guide Price £350,000  I  Video Tour Available

2 Russell Cottages is a charming period two-bedroom cottage that has been thoughtfully extended and beautifully modernised to create a truly exceptional home. Perfect for those seeking a property with real “wow” factor, it seamlessly blends character features with contemporary design and high-quality finishes throughout. Beautifully presented and ready to move into, this unique home offers the rare opportunity to acquire a stunning character cottage with all the comforts and conveniences of modern living.

Property Description:

The Front: Situated along a quiet and attractive road, 2 Russell Cottages immediately captures attention with its charming and characterful frontage. The cottage offers excellent kerb appeal, presenting a smart and welcoming first impression. A gravel driveway provides convenient parking, with space for one vehicle on the drive and a second nearby along the road. An attractive front door opens into the beautifully presented accommodation within.

Ground Floor: Stepping through the front door, you are welcomed into an entrance hallway with stairs rising ahead. A natural pine door leads through to the beautifully designed sitting room.

The sitting room is an inviting and well-proportioned space, perfect for relaxing at the end of the day. A charming fireplace serves as an attractive focal point, enhancing the room's character. While the current owners do not use the fireplace, we understand that a wood burner could easily be installed should the new owners wish to create a cosy focal point during the colder months. A second pine door provides access to a generous understairs storage cupboard.

A further door leads through to an inner hallway, finished with elegant, solid limestone flooring and recessed Neptune spotlights. Stylish black sliding doors add a contemporary touch and provide access to a walk-in pantry as well as the ground-floor bathroom.

The bathroom has been beautifully refurbished and thoughtfully designed to create a luxurious and relaxing space. Finished in a contemporary white palette, the room features solid limestone flooring and a heated towel rail connected to the main heating system. Elegant Jim Lawrence wall lights sit on either side of a Vitra ceramic sink with a generous storage unit beneath, complemented by Crosswater taps and fittings. The bath and shower area offers a spa-like experience with a Heritage insulated bath, Crosswater bath taps, a 10mm Crosswater shower screen and a rainfall shower head with additional hand shower and mixer controls.

One of the most unique and appealing features of the home is a door from the bathroom that opens directly into a private courtyard-style garden. During the warmer months, this creates a wonderful indoor-outdoor feel, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing bath with fresh air flowing in from outside.

Kitchen and Dining Area: Moving through the home, you arrive at the truly impressive kitchen and dining space, which forms the heart of the property. This stunning open-plan area has been designed with both everyday living and entertaining in mind.

The kitchen itself is fitted with high-quality Howdens solid wood units, complete with oak cutlery and utensil drawers. Solid quartz worktops and matching backsplash provide a stylish and durable finish, while a ceramic sink with Crosswater butler taps adds a classic touch. Integrated appliances include an AEG fridge freezer, along with a Bosch washing machine and WiFi connected dishwasher. Completing the kitchen is a Smeg five-burner gas hob paired with a dual electric oven and built-in extractor with over-hob lighting, providing everything needed for both everyday cooking and entertaining.

Engineered solid oak flooring runs throughout the kitchen and dining space, adding warmth and elegance, while recessed Neptune spotlights provide adjustable and dimmable lighting. Electric underfloor heating has been installed beneath the kitchen, dining area, bathroom and hallway to ensure year-round comfort.

At the centre of the room sits a freestanding kitchen island, which offers additional preparation space and practical power sockets. The island can also be removed if preferred, allowing flexibility in how the space is used.

The kitchen flows seamlessly into a spectacular vaulted dining and breakfast area, where four Velux roof lights flood the space with natural light and create a wonderful sense of openness. This bright and airy area is perfect for family meals, morning coffee or entertaining guests. Doors open directly onto the garden, allowing the space to extend effortlessly outdoors during the warmer months.

First Floor: The first floor continues the home’s theme of thoughtful design and tasteful presentation. The principal bedroom is a generous and relaxing space, offering plenty of room for wardrobes and additional furniture while maintaining a light and airy feel. The second bedroom is also well proportioned and comfortably accommodates a double bed, making it ideal as a guest room, second bedroom or stylish home office. Within this room, there is a cupboard which neatly houses the gas boiler.

Rear Garden: The rear garden has been beautifully designed to create a low-maintenance outdoor retreat that can be enjoyed throughout the warmer months. Carefully arranged to provide a wonderful setting for both relaxing and entertaining, the space offers ample room for outdoor furniture, whether for alfresco dining, morning coffee or evening drinks with friends. Raised rendered beds finished in crisp white are planted with olive trees, creating a Mediterranean-inspired feel that complements the character of the cottage perfectly. A gate in the rear fence provides useful right-of-way rear access to the property, while there is also a handy storage area and space for bins.

Additional Information: 

• Freehold, unlisted, terraced cottage.
• Original build date estimated to be 1878. Extended in 2021.
• End of terraced property 889 sq ft.
• Total plot size 0.03 acres.
• New Sub-main fuse box in extension. 
• All new radiators were replaced in 2021.  
• Underfloor electric heating in the extension.
• Small flying freehold over the pantry.
• Services: Mains gas, water, waste and electric supply.
• Secondary glazing throughout.
• Local Authority: Suffolk.
• Situated on the Essex/ Suffolk border.
• Council Tax Band: B (estimated £1700 per annum).
• Energy Performance Rating: Rated "D" with potential to improve to a "B"
• Mobile phone signal: O2, EE, Three and Vodafone.
• Cable/satellite TV services available in local area: BT and Sky.
• High-speed internet: estimated speeds up to 1000 Mbps.
• Flood risk: Very low (rivers, seas, and surface water).
•  All fitted kitchen appliances included in sale (excluding the freestanding fridge/freezer and microwave).
• Yale alarm system installed and included in the sale. 
• Garden orientation: South West (A total sun trap in summer!). 
• Loft space: Part Boarded, lights, no Ladder. Potential for loft conversion STPP.
• Current Owner tenure: 10 years.
• Vendor's chain position: The owners have secured an onward purchase already. Upper chain complete. 
   

Local Area Guide

Nestled just south of Ipswich, Capel St Mary is a charming Suffolk village that offers the perfect combination of countryside living and everyday convenience. The village benefits from a strong community feel, attractive local shops, a post office, cafés, hairdressers, takeaways and a village hall. Recreation facilities include a well-kept play area, sports clubs and local walking routes, making it particularly appealing to families.

Schools: Families will find excellent educational options in and around the village. Capel St Mary Church of England VC Primary School offers a welcoming environment for younger children. Nearby primary schools include Bentley CEVC Primary School and Copdock Primary School. Secondary education is available at East Bergholt High School, with additional options at Chantry Academy in Ipswich and Manningtree High School in Essex. There are also independent schools within easy reach, including Ipswich School, Royal Hospital School and Framlingham College.

Shopping & Amenities: Everyday shopping can be found locally, while larger supermarkets are available in nearby Ipswich and Colchester. Ipswich offers Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Aldi, alongside high street and independent shops. Colchester provides additional retail options with Culver Square Shopping Centre, retail parks and supermarkets.

Healthcare: All your healthcare needs are well covered, with GP practices and pharmacies nearby, and larger hospitals located in Ipswich and Colchester.

Leisure, Dining & Pubs: The area boasts a selection of local pubs, including The White Horse, The Anchor Inn and The Crown Inn, alongside cafés and restaurants in nearby villages. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy countryside walks, cycling routes, the River Stour, Dedham Vale, and golf at Stoke by Nayland Golf Club.

Transport Links: Commuters benefit from excellent transport options. Manningtree Station, around 3 miles away, offers direct trains to London Liverpool Street in approximately 55–60 minutes. Regular bus services connect Capel St Mary with Ipswich, Colchester and surrounding villages. Road access is convenient via the A12, linking Ipswich, Colchester and London.

Nearby Towns/Cities of Ipswich & Colchester: Ipswich combines historic charm with modern amenities, offering a vibrant waterfront, shopping centres, parks and cultural attractions. Colchester, Britain’s oldest recorded town, provides extensive shopping, Colchester Castle, Colchester Zoo, theatres and a lively dining scene, making both towns popular destinations for residents and visitors alike.