An elegant 7-bedroom period house with separate cottage and an enormous range of high-quality outbuildings providing studio, gym, office complex and games room, situated in an exceptional 6-acre setting yet located in the village centre.

Situated in an incredible 6-acre setting yet tucked behind the high street of the village, The Brooks is an exceptional unlisted period house of elegant proportions and versatile accommodation. Believed to date back to the 16th-century then having been extended and gentrified in the early 18th-century with later Victorian alterations, the property is graced with considerable natural light and wonderful original features to include large sash windows, picture rails and attractive fireplaces in almost all rooms (including the cloakroom!).

Arranged over three floors, the accommodation extends to around 4,200ft2 comprising a large reception hall with attractive staircase to the first floor, ornate stained-glass interior windows and large cloakroom. The drawing room enjoys a double aspect, with doors to the south giving access to the gardens and marble fireplace with wood-burning stove.

The dining room has a fabulous bay window, with bespoke window seating, fireplace with wood-burning stove flanked by handmade cupboards and shelving and a snug with open fireplace. The Aga kitchen has a range of handmade painted shaker-style units with matching display cabinets, solid wood worktops and twin Belfast sink.

There is a study/hobbies room with attractive brick floors and an arched window overlooking the walled courtyard and a utility/laundry room with further base and eye level storage units and door to the gardens.

On the first floor is a large, elegant landing leading to the triple-aspect principal bedroom with a north, east and southerly orientation and bespoke wardrobes, four-poster bed and attractive fireplace. The guest bedroom has lovely views of the gardens, fireplace and its own en suite bathroom. There are three further good-sized double bedrooms on the first floor, served by a large traditional bathroom with ball-and-claw bath and large walk-in shower cubicle.

On the second floor are two further double bedrooms, sharing a large bathroom, with corner bath and separate shower cubicle.

Gardens and Grounds
The Brooks boasts one of the most exceptional settings we have seen for some time – located centrally within this highly regarded and well-served village, yet somehow providing a mature, rural environment to enjoy the copious levels of wildlife and tranquility.

There are a variety of stunning mature trees, to include field maple, oak, willow, walnut and ash, together with an outstanding redwood (believed to be planted by Rev Professor Henslow, mentor to Charles Darwin).

There are carefully mown pathways through the grounds flanked by areas of rewilding, large lawned areas perfect for family picnics and countless areas of interest for those that wish to disconnect from modern life. Closer to the property there are more formal gardens, with orchard and active vegetable gardens, together with an enclosed walled courtyard by the house and further partially walled seating area.

To the northern boundary is a public footpath, and whilst the path forms part of The Brooks, it is clearly fenced and well-screened from pedestrians, whilst the council make an annual visit to maintain and clear the pathways – the footpath leads out onto neighbouring farmland, so there are additional walks away from The Brooks (though unlikely you should ever need to venture further!).

The Outbuildings
An important part of The Brooks will no doubt be the large range of attractive red-brick-and-flint outbuildings. The E-shaped buildings provide considerable versatility for those seeking designated workspace, studio or additional annexe or ‘holiday let’ accommodation.

Extending to almost 2,500ft2 and arranged on one single level, presently the arrangement is an office ‘wing’, with kitchen, shower room, sitting/board room, filing room and large 26’ office with doors to the courtyard. There is a further interconnecting room, presently a bedroom, which leads to a studio with screened booth/reception hall and an impressive open-plan games/party room, which measures 44’ with central all-sided wood-burner on brick hearth, together with feature arch windows and doors to a further courtyard.

There is provision for a further kitchen/boot room should it be required, with plumbing and electrical points, together with a room that was earmarked as a shower room, next to the 29’ gymnasium.

There is a detached staff cottage which extends to around 800ft2, built of brick and timber construction. Whilst this cottage is rarely used it could be renovated to suit visiting relative or ‘Airbnb’, presently comprising kitchen, dining/sitting area and conservatory, with two bedrooms and bathroom above.

There is a modern timber-framed garage, with neighbouring workshop and store, with covered store/stable adjoining.

Location
Bildeston is an attractive and well-regarded village with a delightful mixture of period architecture and a thriving local community, supported by a good range of local facilities
to include the award-winning Crown Hotel & Restaurant, licensed village store/post office, together with schooling, doctor’s surgery, tennis club and active church.

Mentioned in the Domesday Book, Bildeston thrived in the 15th and 16th centuries as a wool town, set in the picturesque countryside of the Brett Valley, easily accessible to the nearby
towns and villages of Hadleigh, Lavenham, Stowmarket and Bury St Edmunds. The mainline rail service running to London Liverpool Street station is accessible from Stowmarket, Colchester and Manningtree.

Services
Mains water, drainage and electricity. Oil-fired heating.

Local Authority
Babergh District Council Tax Band G.