Ipswich Road, Otley, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP6

Wood Farm is an exceptional historic country house with an excellent array of outbuildings and set within approximately five acres of beautiful grounds.


Description

Wood Farm is an outstanding Grade II listed home, originally built in 1580 and later extended in 1870, combining remarkable Tudor heritage with elegant Victorian additions.

Formerly part of the nearby Helmingham Hall Estate, the property was once an arable and dairy farm before being sold in 1982, and has since been home to just two families.

Constructed of part red brick and part timber frame beneath a slate roof, the house has been meticulously restored to showcase its wealth of original features. Within the Tudor section there are impressive inglenook fireplaces, witches’ marks, a rare type of wooden shutter in the study, makers’ marks on original roof beams, the remains of a bread oven, and remnants of an ancient wall painting in the principal bedroom. Externally, there are two striking and highly unusual chimney stacks.

The Victorian additions complement the earlier architecture beautifully, offering tall sash windows, high ceilings, deep skirting boards and open fireplaces.

The front door opens into the Victorian part of the house, where there is a large and welcoming entrance hall. From here, a double-aspect kitchen/breakfast room is fitted with bespoke Henry Garden Jones cabinetry, providing ample storage, as well as two ovens by Bosch and Miele. Also off the entrance hall is a double-aspect dining room, centred around a delightful open fireplace, along with a separate pantry.

An inner hallway leads through to the Tudor part of the house, where a charming sitting room features an impressive inglenook fireplace with wood-burning stove, part of an original bread oven, and two doors providing access to the east and west elevations. Beyond this room is another hall, which in turn provides access to an elegant music room, complete with an open inglenook fireplace, bespoke built-in storage and a further door opening to the south. A well-proportioned study and cloakroom.

Two staircases rise to the first floor, where there are four well-proportioned and light-filled bedrooms, which also have stunning viewing over the gardens. There is also a writing room, a Moroccan tadelakt bathroom and a shower room. A further staircase leads up to the second floor where there is another bedroom with sitting area. This second floor is a great space and has stunning vaulted ceilings.

To the east of the house lies a beautiful formal garden, arranged with shingle paths, box hedging, flowers and shrubs. There is also a natural pond with a seating area, both spaces are flanked by established beech hedging.

Wooden decking divides the two areas and leads through to the orchard, which is well stocked with apple, pear, quince, plum, greengage, mulberry and cherry trees, together with a particularly handsome marsh cypress. Beyond the orchard, a five-bar gate opens onto the three-acre meadow, which benefits from a separate gated entrance from the road, and includes a further pond and a recently planted tree circle.

To the south of the grounds is a large vegetable garden, polytunnel and fruit cage growing gooseberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, whitecurrants, raspberries and strawberries. The grounds are further enhanced by a number of notable mature trees, including tulip, oak, chestnut and beech, among others.

Wood Farm benefits from an excellent range of outbuildings, many of which are of considerable age and character.

The Old Dairy Barn is a long, airy office that benefits from permitted commercial use. Though currently used as an artist’s office/studio, it previously accommodated nine desks. There is a smaller office at one end, plus a kitchenette and shower room at the other.

Studio Barn has been divided into a number of areas, comprising a converted studio space with a long wall of windows looking out onto the gardens, plus an array of storage rooms and a workshop.

Of particular note is the outstanding detached timber Suffolk barn with a further vehicular access to the lane. This is an impressive space offering significant potential for conversion, subject to the necessary consents.

Location

Wood Farm lies in the heart of the Suffolk countryside about 7 miles to the north of Ipswich, off a quiet country lane. The delightful village of Otley has a post office, village store, doctors surgery and primary school. The house is located in a particularly sought after area of countryside surrounded by charming and historic villages including Framsden, Helmingham and Earl Soham. The house is within easy access of Debenham, Framlingham, Woodbridge and Ipswich, which have a wide range of recreational, shopping and diverse private and state educational facilities. The Suffolk Heritage Coastline is also within easy access. The Aldeburgh Music Festival is held each year at the Snape Maltings which is also in the vicinity. From Ipswich there are regular train services to London’s Liverpool Street Station, the journey taking approximately 65 minutes. Otley was voted 'village of the year' in 2012.

There is a choice of top performing schools, catering for all age groups in both the private and state sectors, including Framlingham College, Woodbridge School, Ipswich School, St Joseph’s College and Ipswich High School, with bus services to Farlingaye High School and Woodbridge School, running through the village.

All times and distances are approximate.

Square Footage: 7,537 sq ft


Acreage: 5 Acres

Directions

What3words///loud.shortage.whistling

Additional Info

Services: Mains water and Electricity. Private Drainage and LPG (for gas hob only)

The property is variously heated by electric radiators, infrared electric panels, and underfloor heating (kitchen).

More Information: For more photos, details and insights into Wood Farm, see the owner’s website at