Carramore, Lavenham, Suffolk

This immaculate five-bedroom home is found in Lavenham, Suffolk. Originally built in 1968, the house has been extensively renovated by its current owners, with interiors by Faupel and Daffern. EPC 'A' rated, the house is defined by a vast open-plan living space with a spectacular skylight and sliding doors onto the garden. The latter is largely laid to lawn, with two separate paved terraces for outdoor dining and entertaining.



The Tour



A sweeping gravel driveway forms the approach to the house, rendered in a pretty pink hue that references the vernacular architecture. The timber front door is framed by a covered porch with neat red brick columns.



Inside, a double-height entrance hall with engineered oak flooring opens onto an expansive kitchen, living and dining area, illuminated by a vast recessed skylight and glazed doors onto the garden. A log burner sits within a fireplace with marble surround, while smart kitchen cabinetry has quartz work surfaces. There is underfloor heating, and appliances include a Bora induction hob, two Neff combination oven/microwaves and an AEG dishwasher.



A bright sitting room lies adjacent. It has French doors onto the garden, and is currently used as a studio. On this floor there is also a playroom with bespoke birch-faced plywood joinery, a study, a utility room, an additional room, currently used as a home gym, and a WC.



The first floor has a galleried landing, and is occupied by five light-filled bedrooms. The principal has a pitched ceiling, fitted storage and an adjacent luxurious bathroom with a bathtub, walk-in shower, dual washbasin and green-veined porcelain slabs.



The second bedroom has bespoke ply storage, an en suite shower room and French doors onto a private balcony with views of the garden. There are two additional double bedrooms and a single; the latter is currently used as a music room.



A shared bathroom has a bathtub and terrazzo tiling.



Outdoor Space



A large south-west-facing garden extends at the rear of the house. Largely laid to lawn, it has two separate paved terraces, and is home to two productive fruit trees. The current owners have commissioned plans for a garden design by local landscaper Janey Auchinloss, which could be shared upon request.



At the front of the house, a neat garden is planted with a row of Portuguese laurel and there is parking for several cars on the driveway. Alongside is an electric car charger and to the rear of the house a bank of solar panels is fitted to the roof



The Area



Lavenham is a small rural village with a primary school, a Co-op, three pubs and a pretty high street with several independent shops.



The nearby town of Sudbury offers excellent amenities, including a twice-weekly market and a Waitrose. Local favourites include 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.



Bury St Edmunds is around a 30-minute drive away. Along with an array of delicious place to dine, including the Michelin starred Pea Porridge, it has a thriving theatre scene at both The Theatre Royal and The Arc, together with an Everyman cinema and the very popular independent Abbeygate. Further and more extensive amenities, restaurants and shops are found in Colchester, approximately a 40-minute drive away.



This part of the country inspired many artists and writers, including Thomas Gainsborough, who spent his early life sketching in its woods and fields surrounding. His house can be visited in Sudbury, and has a large collection of his oil paintings.



Schooling options in the area include Old Buckenham Hall prep school, Thomas Gainsborough in Sudbury and Stour Valley Community School in nearby Clare.



Sudbury rail station is a 15-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: F