Part of our Signature collection, Beautifully situated in a county lane, just up from the river and mill, is this four bedroom detached cottage nestling in the countryside between the villages of Stoke by Nayland and Polstead.

This unlisted cottage presents a wealth of character with exposed timbers, fireplaces and exposed brick flooring in the original cottage, blending modern facilities including double glazing with most windows enjoying fine views of the gardens and countryside, oil central heating, large bathroom with bath and shower, and a good size utility/boot room. Outside are delightful cottage gardens backing onto fields whilst at the side is a parking area and access to the additional secret garden that is rented from a local landowner.

The entrance door brings you into the utility/boot room with 11’ high vaulted ceiling and ample storage including a cupboard housing the oil-fired boiler, wooden worksurfaces and a butlers sink, There is plumbing for a washing machine and tiled flooring. A door leads through to the kitchen/breakfast room. At one end is a bespoke kitchen, handmade country green storage units with worksurfaces and double bowl butlers sink. Built-in appliances include an induction hob with light and extractor over, oven, dishwasher with space for further appliances including a fridge/freezer. At the breakfast room end is a vaulted ceiling and glazed dual aspect overlooking the garden with double doors leading out.

In the oldest part of the cottage is a dining room with brick floor and inglenook fireplace and leads round to the sitting room, again with a fireplace and brick floor. Both rooms enjoy exposed timbers. At the rear of the cottage, in a more modern extension, is the family room with straight stairs leading to the first floor accommodation with storage cupboard beneath, whilst there is further storage cupboards and shelving. There is also a dual aspect study and a cloakroom with toilet and wash hand basin.

On the first floor is a central landing with two double bedrooms at the front with wardrobes at the side of the chimney breast, one having an additional storage cupboard. At the rear are two slightly smaller bedrooms which both enjoy views over the gardens to the fields beyond. one with a storage cupboard. The bathroom has a tiled surround bath, shower cubicle with glass door, wash hand basin and toilet. Within the bathroom and third bedroom are access points to the loft space.

Outside
The cottage is set up high from Mill Lane and enclosed by hedging with the remaining front garden laid to lawn with a shrub border. The gardens sweep around either side of the cottage with a lined storage building/studio with power and light connected. On the other side are further lawns and shrub beds with a pathway to the cottage. There is a paved terrace outside the breakfast room making an ideal alfresco dining area. The rear gardens are predominantly laid to lawn, with hedged borders (and we are advised that the rear boundary hedge has to be maintained due to a historic covenant) giving views into the surrounding fields. There is a further shingle area with attractive plants creating a more relaxing seating area.

Also at the side of the cottage is a gated driveway which also allows a right of way for the farmer into the rear field. This leads up to a parking area with space for two cars. On the other side of the drive is the 'secret garden' rented by the current owners for £300 per annum, which is predominantly lawn with screened hedging and views towards Polstead Church.


Location

The village of Polstead is found on the Essex/Suffolk border and was mentioned in The Times as one of the most popular places to live in the UK. The cottage is in the countryside between Polstead and Stoke by Nayland, with the latter having a shop/post office, award winning restaurants and the Stoke by Nayland Resort, with two golf courses, fitness gym and swimming pool. There is also schooling in Stoke by Nayland.

Wider facilities are found in the market towns of Sudbury and Hadleigh, whilst Colchester is the nearest city and has wider educational facilities from sixth form through to university and mainline railway services to London Liverpool Street in well under the hour.

Directions

Postcode CO6 5AB – proceed up Mill Lane and passed the Mill and Apple Tree Cottage will be found on the right hand side.

Important Information

Services – We understand that mains water, electricity and drainage are connected to the property. There is oil fired heating from an on site oil tank.
Council Tax band – Band E
Energy Performance Certificate – Band E
Tenure – Freehold
Ref - JDP