Rectory Road, Middleton, Saxmundham

A charming village house with beautiful south facing private gardens

Centred around its small village green and the parish church of The Holy Trinity, the village of Middleton also has a primary school, public house, farm shop. The village lies approximately four miles from the Suffolk Heritage Coast at the historic village of Dunwich and the internationally renowned RSPB Bird Reserve at Minsmere.

Description - Firethorn Cottage is a delightful individual detached family home of exceptional quality, occupying a particularly attractive and private position in the heart of this charming East Suffolk village. Set well back from the road and approached through impressive double five-bar gates, the property is surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and enjoys a wonderful sense of seclusion. A broad resin-bound driveway provides generous parking and is framed by sweeping lawns, mature cherry trees and established screening hedging, creating an appealing approach to this elegant home.

The property itself is distinguished by attractive rendered elevations beneath steeply pitched pantile-covered roofs, combining traditional Suffolk character with a beautifully considered contemporary interior. High-quality timber casement double-glazed windows have recently been installed throughout, complementing the character of the house while enhancing comfort and efficiency.

The principal entrance opens into a particularly impressive reception hall, where the eye is immediately drawn through the house towards the terrace and beautiful garden beyond. This strong visual connection with the outside is a recurring feature of the property and gives the accommodation a wonderful feeling of space and light. The hall incorporates a cloakroom, excellent understairs storage and a staircase rising to the first floor, together with access to the kitchen.

The kitchen is a superb family and entertaining space, fitted with an attractive range of Shaker-style units beneath hardwood block work surfaces and incorporating a composite sink and a comprehensive range of integrated appliances. These include a concealed dishwasher and a Range Master range cooker with cooker hood over. Windows overlook the gardens to the side and rear, while glazed double doors open directly into the elegant living room. With its beautiful oak flooring, fireplace and wood-burning stove, this is a particularly welcoming room, with windows to two elevations and glazed doors opening onto the paved terrace and south-facing garden beyond. The arrangement creates an excellent flow between the principal living spaces and the outside, making the property equally suited to relaxed family life and entertaining.

A recently constructed extension off the kitchen provides a highly practical utility space. This has been thoughtfully designed with entrance doors to both the front and rear, a built-in boot box and extensive additional storage, together with woodblock work surfaces, Belfast-style sink and space for several appliances. It provides an excellent everyday entrance and is particularly well suited to family life, allowing coats, boots and household equipment to be kept away from the principal living accommodation.

On the first floor are three well-proportioned bedrooms and a beautifully appointed family bathroom. The principal bedroom, formerly arranged as two rooms, has been cleverly remodelled to create a generous bedroom together with an excellent dressing area incorporating a comprehensive range of fitted wardrobes. Windows overlook the gardens and an elegant en suite shower room provides a walk-in shower, wash basin and WC. The second bedroom is another good-sized double room with a full range of fitted wardrobes and views across the garden. The third bedroom is currently arranged as a double bedroom/study and is a particularly characterful room, featuring a stunning vaulted ceiling with exposed timbers and an attractive outlook over the front garden.

The family bathroom is well proportioned and thoughtfully fitted with a separate bath and shower, concealed storage and windows on two elevations, providing excellent natural light.

The gardens are undoubtedly one of Firethorn Cottage's outstanding features. Professionally landscaped and planted some years ago, they have now matured into a wonderfully established and private garden of considerable charm and interest. A series of winding block-paved and cobbled pathways lead through the grounds, linking expanses of lawn with beautifully planted borders containing a wealth of flowering plants, shrubs and specimen trees. An ornamental pond adds further interest, while the gently rising garden provides a series of changing vistas and secluded areas in which to sit and enjoy the surroundings.

The principal pathway continues towards the upper part of the garden, where there is a delightful timber-framed and glazed summerhouse, together with a seating area providing a lovely place to relax and take in the garden. Further useful facilities include a garden storage area, greenhouse and a separate walled garden, the latter providing an ideal area for productive gardening with established fruit trees and raised vegetable beds.

The south-facing garden is both beautifully presented and exceptionally private, offering a rare combination of mature planting, attractive landscaping and practical outdoor spaces. It provides an outstanding setting for entertaining, al fresco dining or simply enjoying the tranquillity of the surroundings.

In all, Firethorn Cottage is an exceptional individual home that combines traditional Suffolk character with a high-quality and thoughtfully designed interior. Its superb south-facing gardens, excellent privacy, generous parking and beautifully appointed accommodation make it a particularly special property, while its central position within this sought-after East Suffolk village provides the perfect setting from which to enjoy the surrounding countryside and the many attractions of the Suffolk Heritage Coast.

Tenure - Freehold

Outgoings - Council Tax Band currently E

Services - Mains electricity, water and drainage

Viewing Arrangements - Please contact Flick & Son, Ashford House, High Street, Saxmundham, IP17 1AB for an appointment to view. Email: Tel: Ref: 21193/RDB.

Fixtures And Fittings - No fixtures, fittings, furnishings or effects save those that are specifically mentioned in these particulars are included in the sale and any item not so noted is expressly excluded. It should not be assumed that any contents, furnishings or furniture shown in the photographs (if any) are included in the sale. These particulars do not constitute any part of any offer or contract. They are issued in good faith but do not constitute representations of fact and should be independently checked by or on behalf of prospective purchasers or tenants and are furnished on the express understanding that neither the agents nor the vendor are or will become liable in respect of their contents. The vendor does not hereby make or give nor do Messrs Flick & Son nor does any Director or employee of Messrs Flick & Son have any authority to make or give any representation or warranty whatsoever, as regards the property or otherwise.

Anti-Money Laundering (Aml) And Id Checks - Under current legislation, estate agents are required to verify buyers’ identities and establish the source of funding for all transactions. Upon acceptance of your offer and before we instruct solicitors to proceed with your purchase, we will carry out the necessary checks for which you will be charged £25 + VAT per applicant