Peyton House, Boxford, Suffolk

This singular six-bedroom house lies in the pretty village of Boxford, Suffolk. Grade II listed, the house’s 17th-century bones are complemented by later Georgian additions, including 12-pane sash windows that wash its interiors with natural light. The main house extends over 4,900 sq ft, while a separate two-storey annexe provides guest accommodation. Pretty walled gardens surround the house, filled with fragrant roses, pear and apple trees.



Setting the Scene



Originally built in the 1600s, the house is peppered with period features, including timber beams thought to have been used in nearby Peyton Hall, as well as a series of brick fireplaces.



The house was extended in the 18th and 19th centuries, evidenced by the addition of sash windows and smart gault brick casing on the front façade.



The Grand Tour



The main entrance lies to the rear of the house, accessed via a large gravelled driveway bordered by a neat lawn. Inside, a handy boot room leads through the entrance hall and into a vast sitting room. Original bessumer oak beams criss-cross the ceiling, and a wide inglenook fireplace with timber lintel stretches across one wall, while tall 12-pane windows bathe the room in natural light. An adjoining snug area has a brick fireplace and is perfect for curling up with a favourite book.



In the kitchen, midnight-blue cabinetry complements a generous woodblock-topped island and a set of French doors opens onto the garden. Exposed beams in the dining room have original markings and are thought to have originated in nearby Peyton Hall.



On this floor, there is also a bright study, currently used as a second sitting room, a pantry, a guest WC and a workshop.



A half-level up lies a versatile double-height space with a vaulted ceiling and original timber beams. Currently used as an office, it has direct outdoor access and would also be suitable as a studio space.



Three bedrooms are found on the first floor. The principal is illuminated by sash windows on two sides, and has a large en suite shower room with cork flooring. Two further bathrooms are finished in a similar style.



On the second floor, there are three additional bedrooms, one of which is currently an art studio. There is also a shared living space on the landing.



A separate annexe, once a hay loft, has a workshop/games room and a gym on the ground floor. The first floor is home to an open-plan living space and kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom.



The Great Outdoors



Pretty walled gardens surround the house. A paved courtyard area is perfect for outdoor dining, while a large lawned area is bordered by established trees and shrubbery, including fragrant roses, pear and apple trees.



To the side of the house is a vegetable garden, its raised beds chock full of produce come summer. Alongside the greenhouse and a tool shed are ripe for green-fingered gardeners.



Out and About



Boxford is a peaceful village to the east of Sudbury. It is home to two friendly pubs, a coffee shop, a primary school and a village store, thought to be one of the oldest shops in the UK.



The nearby town of Sudbury offers excellent amenities, including a twice-weekly market and a Waitrose. Local favourites include The Cradle, an independent plant-based bakery and restaurant, and The Mill Hotel for drinks and dinner beside the river. The village of Long Melford is a short drive away, with its excellent antique shops, pubs and restaurants, including The Swan, The Black Lion and Nethergate Brewery. Further and more extensive amenities, restaurants and shops are found in Colchester, approximately a 30-minute drive away.



Schooling options in the area include Boxford VC Primary, St Gregory of E Primary and St Joseph’s RC Primary. Nearby secondary schools include Thomas Gainsborough in Sudbury and Stour Valley Community School in nearby Clare.



Sudbury rail station is an 18-minute drive from the house. Connections can be made to London Liverpool Street via Marks Tey, with a total journey time of around an hour and 15 minutes.



Council Tax Band: House G / Annex C