Church Road, Snape, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17

Enchanting Woodland Retreat with studios, a pool, and about three acres of meadow and woodland.

Description

Tucked away in a secluded and enchanting setting on the edge of Snape, Priory Wood is a truly unique house, offering privacy while remaining within easy reach of the village amenities and the renowned Snape Maltings. Dating from the first half of the 20th century, the house exudes the charm of a colonial bungalow, with deep-set windows, high ceilings, and a lemonry.

Set within about three acres (subject to survey), the grounds are rich in history and natural beauty. A former 19th-century clay pit, later landscaped in the early 20th century to create a lawn tennis court, now incorporates a heated swimming pool. The original pavilion, once serving the tennis court, remains intact as a delightful garden retreat and is currently used as a magical summer bedroom. The former tennis court has since been transformed into a wildflower meadow, blending seamlessly into a woodland area planted with native deciduous trees, providing an exceptional wildlife habitat.

Winding pathways meander through the woodland, leading to more formal garden areas with lawns, flower borders, and shrubberies. A south-facing terrace offers an idyllic space for outdoor relaxation, complemented by a charming summer house. At the front of the house, a circular driveway encircles a large pond with grassed banks, leading to a converted double garage, which is now spacious studio. A pathway provides access to the sheltered rear courtyard, rear entrance, and bicycle store.

The house itself has been sympathetically extended over time, offering a versatile and well-proportioned living space. Accommodation includes two elegant reception rooms, each with a fireplace; a wonderful farmhouse kitchen, fitted with traditional cabinetry and a gas-fired/electric range cooker; and three generously sized double bedrooms, two of which feature en suite bathrooms. A family bathroom is conveniently located adjacent to the third bedroom.

The fourth bedroom in the attic provides additional flexibility, while the main hall features impressive floor-to-ceiling book and display shelving. To the rear of the house, a dining room faces south and west, with patio doors opening directly onto the sun terrace.

Throughout the house, wooden floors run through the hallways and reception rooms creating a seamless flow throughout.

The property is centrally heated by oil-fired radiators and also benefits from extensive solar PV roof panels and battery storage, enhancing its sustainability.

For those seeking a house immersed in history, Priory Wood offers a fascinating past. It is approached via a long, unmade track, over which the house enjoys a right of way, leading to a five-bar gate that opens onto the private shingle carriageway. Nestled deep within the garden is a Second World War bunker, currently used as a wine store. Nearby, a shed houses a borehole, which provides garden irrigation, filtration plant and in a separate room also houses a changing room and WC for the swimming pool.

Completing the grounds are an orchard, a fruit cage, an enclosed vegetable garden, a garden store and log shed, and a second artist’s studio with water and electricity connected, discreetly positioned away from the main house.

A haven for nature lovers and those seeking seclusion, Priory Wood offers an extraordinary combination of history, character, and tranquillity, making it a truly special opportunity.

Location

Snape is a delightful village on the River Alde, internationally renowned for its concert hall and superb amenities at Snape Maltings, including galleries, independent shops, cafés and three public houses.

Aldeburgh (5.2 miles) is a seaside town closely associated with the composer Benjamin Britten, has a wide selection of cultural and shopping amenities, and some marvellous restaurants. Thorpeness (5.8 miles) has a charming boating lake and country club. Historic market towns, Saxmundham (3.5 miles), Framlingham (10 miles) and Woodbridge (13 miles) provide a great array of amenities including independent shops, cafés, restaurants and galleries. Several RSPB and Suffolk Wildlife Trust reserves are adjacent to the village with RSPB Minsmere being approximately 13 miles.

For the commuter, Priory Wood benefits from easy access to the A12; there are branch line railway stations in Saxmundham (to London Liverpool Street from 115 minutes) and Woodbridge (from 92 minutes). Ipswich offers direct trains from 68 minutes.

Local sporting facilities are fantastic and include highly regarded golf, tennis and sailing clubs in Aldeburgh, Thorpeness and Woodbridge, which also has popular rugby and rowing clubs. There are excellent local state and private schools, including Woodbridge School and Framlingham College.

Square Footage: 3,646 sq ft


Acreage: 2.87 Acres

Additional Info

Services: mains water and electricity, private drainage, and oil fired central heating; photovoltaic solar panels.