Chestnut Chase, Boswell Lane, Hadleigh, IP7 6BX

Chestnut Chase, Boswell Lane, Hadleigh   I  CHAIN FREE  I  Video Available  

The Approach:
Tucked away along Boswell Lane, this impressive and individually styled home combines substantial accommodation with a wonderfully private garden setting. Approached via a generous block-paved driveway, there is excellent parking provision together with a detached garage with electric doors, lighting and power.  Solar panels to the main roof, plus two electric car chargers, add appealing energy-conscious features.

From the outside, the property has a charming and established appearance, with its soft green painted brick elevations, traditional roofline and mature planting. The sense of space becomes particularly apparent on arrival, with the driveway providing a practical entrance to the home, garage and garden.

Inside, the property has been thoughtfully arranged to suit modern family life, with an unusually versatile layout spanning approximately 251.8 sq m (2,710 sq ft) across two floors. Beautiful herringbone Karndean flooring, crisp white walls and attractive period-style architectural detailing create a consistent sense of quality, while the accommodation offers plenty of flexibility for families, home working and multi-generational living.

Ground Floor:
The welcoming entrance hall immediately sets the tone, with a particularly attractive herringbone Karndean floor running throughout much of the ground floor. A glass and oak staircase rises to the first floor, while the generous proportions of the hallway provide a natural sense of connection between the principal living spaces.

The sitting room is situated at the back of the property offering a comfortable and secluded reception room filled with light from windows that overlook the beautiful gardens. This is a room designed for relaxing, whether settling down for a quiet evening or gathering with family and friends it incorporates a striking fireplace with a wood-burning stove as the focal point for the room. 

At the heart of the home is the superb open-plan kitchen/dining room, a generous space capable of accommodating a substantial dining table and ideally suited for entertaining. Large windows bring in plenty of natural light and offer views towards the garden, while the room flows naturally into the open-plan kitchen, creating an excellent arrangement for hosting. The kitchen is particularly impressive, combining extensive fitted cabinetry with clean contemporary finishes and a large central island with breakfast seating. There is ample preparation and storage space including a large pantry cupboard and integrated appliances, to include a built-in double oven, coffee machine and microwave, separate full height fridge and freezer and a Quooker smart tap with filter offering instant boiler water. The island creates a sociable hub for everyday life, from morning coffees and informal breakfasts through to cooking with friends.

One of the standout features of this property is its luxurious, spa-inspired ground floor master suite. The spacious double bedroom enjoys views over the rear garden and flows into a beautifully appointed, contemporary en-suite, complete with his and hers showers and wash basins, together with a stunning feature bath. The suite continues into a dedicated dressing room, providing an abundance of built-in wardrobe space and creating a truly indulgent retreat. For those who would prefer additional bedroom accommodation, the flexibility of the layout is a real advantage. The dressing room could easily be converted back into a bedroom, creating two ground floor bedrooms with an adjoining Jack and Jill bathroom, making the accommodation particularly versatile for families, guests or multi-generational living.

The ground floor is completed by a modern shower room and a separate utility room, thoughtfully designed with space for both a washing machine and tumble dryer, together with a useful countertop and sink. The utility room also doubles as a practical boot room, providing the ideal space for storing coats, boots and everyday outdoor essentials, making it particularly well suited to family life and country living.

First Floor:
The first floor continues with a spacious landing providing access to three further three double bedrooms, a family bathroom plus a huge amount of useful eaves storage. The two larger double rooms enjoy attractive views across the rear garden, plus benefit from their own private WC to include toilet and sink.  A further double bedroom provides excellent additional accommodation and would work equally well as a guest bedroom, teenager's room or home office.

Rear Garden:
The south facing rear garden is another one of the property's most compelling features. Immediately adjoining the house is a large paved terrace, creating an exceptional outdoor entertaining area. There is ample room for both dining and relaxed seating, with the current owners making the most of it with outdoor dining furniture, lounge seating and a hammock. It is easy to imagine long summer lunches here, drinks with friends or simply enjoying the garden at the end of the day.

Steps lead down from the terrace to a substantial lawn, framed by mature planting and established shrubs. The garden has a secluded, green outlook and feels wonderfully private, while still providing plenty of space for children, pets, gardening or simply enjoying the outdoors. A charming summer house provides an additional versatile space at the far side perfect for a garden room, potting shed or simply for garden storage. This property also owns a path from the rear garden leading to Churchill Avenue, which provides an even quicker walking route to the centre of Hadleigh.  

Additional Information:

• Detached, freehold 5-Bedroom property. 
• Offering approximately 2,710 sq. ft. of internal accommodation.
• Plot size: Approximately 0.23 acres.
• Built: Approximately 1910s.
• New kitchen fitted (2022).
• Double-glazed throughout new flush fit double glazed windows and front door installed 2026.
• Gas-fired central heating with programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs).
• Mains gas, electricity, water and drainage.
• Solar panels and two electric car chargers.
• New mains fed gas boiler (installed July 2026). 
• Approximate combined gas and electricity costs: approximately £130 per month.
• The following integrated kitchen appliances are included within the sale: Full height fridge, full height freezer, dishwasher, microwave, double electric oven  and an integrated coffee machine.
• Quooker tap with instant filtered hot and cold water. 
• Electric blinds fitted in the kitchen, dining and utility room. 
• Dimmable lighting throughout the property.
• Large new rear patio in garden.
• New fencing and gate to garden from driveway.
• Local Authority: Babergh District Council.
• Conservation Area: No.
• Council Tax Band E (approximately £2,800 per annum).
• Energy Performance Certificate: C, with potential to improve to an B rating.
• Energy efficient lighting installed to approximately 25% of fixed light fittings.
• Part boarded loft with lighting. No loft ladder fitted.
• South-easterly facing rear garden.
• Flood Risk: Very Low.
• Mobile phone coverage available from EE, O2 and Vodafone.
• TV services available: BT and Sky.
• Broadband speeds available of up to 70 Mbps.
• Current owners tenure 2 years.
• Chain details: This property can be sold CHAIN FREE.
   

What's it like living in Hadleigh?

Set within the historic market town of Hadleigh, Chestnut Chase enjoys the best of both worlds: a peaceful, leafy Suffolk setting with the convenience of an established town centre close by. Hadleigh is a particularly attractive choice for those looking for a more relaxed pace of life without becoming disconnected from larger centres. The town sits in the Brett Valley, surrounded by open countryside and attractive villages, while Ipswich, Sudbury and Colchester are all within easy reach.

Shops & Everyday Essentials: Hadleigh has a genuinely useful and characterful town centre, centred around its historic High Street and Market Place. Rather than relying solely on out-of-town retail parks, the town retains a good selection of independent shops, cafés, traditional services and everyday amenities, giving it a strong community feel. For a larger weekly shop, Morrisons is located on Calais Street (less than a five minute walk), while the High Street provides a range of smaller shops and independent businesses for those occasions when you want to pick something up locally. There are also several cafés and food shops dotted along the High Street, making it easy to combine everyday errands with a coffee or leisurely lunch. Fork Kitchen & Deli, Huffers Cafe & Restaurant and Jet Lounge @ 99 are among the local options. For pharmacy requirements, there is Boots Pharmacy on the High Street and Mill Pharmacy in Market Place. The town's compact nature means many everyday errands can be incorporated into a walk into the centre — one of the pleasures of living somewhere that has retained a traditional town layout.

Healthcare: Local healthcare is well served, with Hadleigh Health Centre located in Market Place, providing convenient access to primary healthcare within the town. The presence of local pharmacies, healthcare facilities and other professional services means residents have many of the essentials close to home, while larger hospitals and specialist services are available in Ipswich and Colchester. For day-to-day life, this combination of local provision and access to larger regional centres makes Hadleigh particularly practical for families and those looking to settle long term.

Clubs & Community: Hadleigh has a particularly strong community identity. This is not simply a commuter settlement; it is an established Suffolk town with a wide range of clubs, societies, voluntary organisations and community activities. The historic Guildhall and Town Hall complex remains an important focal point. The Grade I* listed complex dates back to the 15th century and provides a variety of rooms used for meetings, events, celebrations and community activities. The town also has a library on the High Street, which is far more than simply a place to borrow books. Current activities include social groups, craft sessions, children's activities and family events, reflecting the breadth of community life in Hadleigh. There is also an active programme of events throughout the year, ranging from heritage weekends and jazz performances to community cafés, repair cafés and seasonal activities. For those who enjoy getting involved locally, Hadleigh offers a refreshing sense of community that can be increasingly difficult to find in larger towns.

Sports & Leisure: For an active lifestyle, there is an impressive choice on the doorstep. Layham Road Sports Ground provides approximately 12 acres of community sports facilities, including football, rugby and hockey pitches, a floodlit all-weather multi-sports facility and courts suitable for tennis and netball. The town also has established clubs covering a wide range of interests, including Hadleigh Cricket Club, Hadleigh Cycling Club, Hadleigh Football Club, Hadleigh Rugby Club, Hadleigh Tennis Club, Hadleigh Swimming Club, Hadleigh Bowling Club and The Hares Running Club. Hadleigh Pool & Leisure Centre adds further opportunities for swimming and fitness whilst also offering an active table-tennis club 3 times per week. For those who prefer more structured gym-based exercise, there are local options including Revamp Gym Hadleigh and BossBody Gym, Personal Training, Small Group Fitness & Pilates Studio. Beyond organised sport, the surrounding countryside is one of Hadleigh's greatest recreational assets. Local walking routes extend into the Brett Valley and surrounding countryside, including the Riverside and Railway walks.

Dining & Social Life: Hadleigh's High Street offers a pleasing mix of traditional pubs, cafés and restaurants, giving residents plenty of opportunities for an informal coffee, relaxed lunch or evening meal without having to head into a larger town. For a drink or relaxed meal, George is one of the town's established High Street pubs. The Flying Guardsman provides another sociable option. For dining, Titos Ristorante offers Italian cuisine, while The Royal Bengal and Dynasty provide Indian and Chinese options respectively. The town's social scene is perhaps best described as independent, relaxed and community-focused rather than nightlife-driven. It suits people who enjoy meeting friends for dinner, drinks, coffee, live music or local events, before returning home to the quieter surroundings of the town.

History & Things to Do: History is one of Hadleigh's defining characteristics. The town has 246 listed buildings, including four Grade I buildings, and its historic centre is unusually rich in medieval and Tudor architecture. At the centre of the historic quarter are St Mary's Church, the Guildhall complex and the Deanery Tower, forming an exceptional group of Grade I listed buildings. St Mary's is particularly notable as one of Suffolk's great wool churches and has the county's only wood-and-lead spire. Hadleigh's prosperity originally grew from the medieval wool trade, which helped finance many of the buildings that survive today. Interestingly, its subsequent economic decline helped preserve much of the historic fabric, as residents could not afford to replace older buildings with more fashionable structures. For walkers and countryside enthusiasts, the town's location in the Brett Valley provides an excellent starting point for exploring Suffolk's landscape. The surrounding countryside also has strong connections with the artists John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough. The nearby Kersey Mill is another enjoyable destination, combining historic surroundings with independent businesses and craft interests.

Education: Hadleigh provides a good choice for families, with Hadleigh Community Primary School serving children from ages 3–11. The school is located on Station Road and is currently open as a community school. For secondary education, Hadleigh High School serves the local area, with Suffolk County Council identifying Hadleigh High as the secondary catchment school for the wider Hadleigh area in its published catchment information. Catchment arrangements and admissions policies can change, so prospective purchasers should always confirm the position directly with Suffolk County Council and the relevant schools for a particular academic year. The wider area also provides access to schools in Ipswich, Sudbury and the surrounding villages, giving families further options as children progress through their education.

Transport & London Connections: Hadleigh's position is particularly attractive for those who want countryside living without being too far from major transport connections. The town is approximately 10 miles west of Ipswich, with the A1071 providing the principal road connection, and around 12 miles east of Sudbury. Colchester is approximately 15 miles away. Local bus services provide connections towards Ipswich and Sudbury. The 91 service connects Hadleigh with Ipswich, including Ipswich railway station, while the 50 service connects Hadleigh with Sudbury and, on Sundays, continues through to Ipswich. Ipswich railway station provides the principal rail connection to London. Greater Anglia currently operates trains from Ipswich to London Liverpool Street up to three times an hour on weekdays, making the capital a realistic option for commuters as well as occasional business or leisure trips. Manningtree is another useful rail option, particularly for those travelling towards London from the east of Suffolk. Greater Anglia currently operates up to three trains per hour on weekdays between Manningtree and London Liverpool Street. For motorists, the A1071 provides straightforward access towards Ipswich and Sudbury, while the A12 is readily accessible for journeys towards Colchester, Essex and the wider southeast.

Nearby Towns & Cities:

Ipswich – approximately 9–10 miles: The county town provides a much broader range of shopping, employment, entertainment, restaurants and cultural facilities, together with the mainline railway station for London.

Sudbury – approximately 9–10 miles: A beautiful Suffolk market town on the River Stour, Sudbury offers independent shops, cafés, restaurants, riverside walks and a strong historic character.

Colchester – approximately 11–12 miles: A larger regional centre with extensive shopping, restaurants, cultural attractions and excellent road and rail connections. Its Roman heritage adds another dimension to the area.

Lavenham – approximately 8 miles: One of Suffolk's most celebrated medieval villages, renowned for its timber-framed buildings, attractive market square, independent shops and restaurants.

Bury St Edmunds – approximately 18 miles: A particularly attractive historic market town with the Abbey Gardens, cathedral, independent shops, restaurants, theatre and a lively cultural scene.

London – approximately 70 miles by road: Although firmly situated in the Suffolk countryside, Hadleigh remains within practical reach of the capital, particularly via the direct Greater Anglia rail services from Ipswich or Manningtree to London Liverpool Street.

Three Quirky Facts:

1. Hadleigh is a historic market town with past links to booming trade and smugglers. Local legend says a network of secret tunnels connected the church, local monasteries, and the cellars of the George Inn so smugglers could escape the authorities.

2. Hadleigh was once a railway town but no longer has a railway. The railway arrived in Hadleigh in 1847, but passenger services ended in 1932 and goods services followed in 1965. Today, the former railway route contributes to local walking routes, while residents use Ipswich and other nearby stations for mainline travel.

3. Viking Burial: Guthrum, the 9th-century Viking warlord defeated by Alfred the Great, was forced to convert to Christianity and is reputed to be buried right on the grounds of St Mary's Church. 

In lifestyle terms, Hadleigh is a particularly appealing combination of historic Suffolk town and countryside community: you have independent shops and cafés for everyday life, an active programme of clubs and events, excellent sporting facilities, beautiful walking country and a wealth of heritage on the doorstep, while Ipswich and the London rail network remain readily accessible.

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Agent Disclaimer: These particulars are intended as a guide only and do not form part of any offer or contract. All descriptions, measurements, floor plans, photographs and details are provided in good faith but should not be relied upon as statements of fact. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the information provided. Any appliances, services or systems mentioned have not been tested by the agent, and no guarantee can be given as to their working order. Fixtures and fittings are excluded unless specifically stated. Some images may have been edited using AI.