Riverside Cottage and Shepherds Hut, Chelsworth

A substantial detached Grade II listed holiday house in a beautiful village with a detached one-bedroom annexe and shepherds hut which in total caters for up to 12 guests (six in the main house plus two further spaces on a king-size sofa bed, two in the annexe and two in the shepherds hut). Beautiful gardens extend down to the River Brett with fantastic open views.

Riverside is a stunning detached cottage nestled in one of the area’s most beautiful villages which sits along the River Brett. The property exudes charm with a partially thatched roof, exposed beams and wonderful fireplaces. Stylish accommodation is arranged over two levels which caters for between 6-10* guests in the main house and 2 further guests in the annex and is ideal for a quiet retreat in the heart of Suffolk countryside.

The cottage is thought to date back to 1662 when it started life as a one-storey thatched cottage. It has since undergone a transformation into the luxurious and impressive residence it is today with two recent contemporary glass extensions to maximise the views over the property’s considerable gardens.

Upon entry, a charming mellow red brick chimney breast with feature fireplaces lies adjacent to the front door and the entrance hall benefits from a ground-floor cloakroom. The hallway opens up into a beautiful area with a grand piano and an area of seating from which to enjoy the outlook over the gardens and a library of books and novels. A charming double reception room is separated by open stud work and contains a wood-burning stove with a large brick fireplace, perfect for a cosy evening in. A formal dining room comfortably caters for up to 6 guests and there is a further snug/reading room at the other end of the house which contains a king-size sofa bed which can cater for up to 2 guests.

The kitchen is magnificent with a superb high-end finish with a large central island with space to sit and eat. A range of integrated appliances include a fridge, freezer, microwave and two drinks fridges and there is a large range cooker, coffee machine and everything necessary to cook up a storm!

On the first floor are three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Bedrooms one and two both contain king-size beds and benefit from their own en-suite with the third room arranged as a twin and served by a separate shower room.

The gardens are superb with a sprawling expanse of lawn leading down to the River Brett at the bottom of the plot. Adjacent to the kitchen and spanning the width of the house is a beautiful stone paved terrace with a large outdoor dining table and chairs, ideal for a summer’s day. At the bottom of the garden adjacent to the river is a charming Shepherds Hut which offers the potential to accommodate two guests on a pull-out mattress and the chance to wake up to the beautiful vista across the river and over the grazing paddocks beyond.

In front of the property is a private driveway which provides free off-road parking for a number of vehicles.

The Gardeners Cottage is a charming detached annexe situated within the grounds of a grade II listed village house. The property contains a stylish sitting room with floor-to-ceiling wood and glass panel double doors opening onto a terrace and a private area of garden. Plush sofas provide an ideal area to relax and unwind with a further desk providing space to work remotely. The bedroom contains a king-size bed with a luxurious en-suite containing a bath with a shower above. There is the benefit of off-street parking for two vehicles adjacent to the property. The garden area is enclosed by hedging and contains an area of lawn which faces due south and so receives plenty of sunlight throughout the day.

The village of Chelsworth is well known as one of the region's prettiest. Characterised by its wonderful variety of architecture with a vast array of listed buildings, the street scene could be mistaken for a film set. A mere couple of minutes walk down the road brings you to one of the area’s best gastro pubs ‘The Peacock Inn’ which has been stylishly fitted out and caters to all with a cosy bar, an excellent restaurant and a lovely beer garden. The neighbouring villages of Monks Eleigh and Bildeston both contain a number of amenities including pubs and restaurants and two village shops.

Approximately 10 minutes drive is the famous historic village of Lavenham, used as the filming location for many scenes for the Harry Potter film franchise and one of England’s most well-preserved medieval wool towns with a host of facilities including numerous pubs and restaurants, cafés and tea rooms, grocery stores, art galleries, a local butcher and independent shops. The National Trust Grade I Listed Guildhall is well worth a visit, as is the Lavenham Swan Hotel and Weavers Spa.

Surrounding the cottage itself are plenty of footpaths for long dog walks or a gentle stroll (dogs are permitted but please note that the garden cannot be guaranteed to be completely dog-proof). The cathedral town of Bury St Edmunds lies around 16 miles away with a medieval quarter, many fine restaurants and plenty of attractions including the stunning Abbey Gardens. The ancient market town of Hadleigh is also nearby and contains many amenities including supermarkets, a leisure centre and a petrol station.

Riverside is the perfect base from which to explore everything this beautiful region has to offer.

*The sleeping arrangements comprise 1 x super king bed, 1 x king bed and 2 x twin beds in the main house. In addition, a pull-out sofa bed can accommodate a further two guests with a further double bed in the shepherds hut in the garden. There is a further king bed in the detached annexe. Please note that the shepherds hut does not contain heating or electricity.