4 bedroom detached house for sale

In the heart of the beautiful village of Nayland on the border of Suffolk and Essex and just behind the high street, sits the Old School, built in circa 1848.

Originally converted in the mid-60s, the school has been in the same ownership for nearly 60 years. The owners were rug weavers, struggling to find a space that would fit the huge looms and storage they needed for their work, but also to find a suitable family home. This was before live/work living became a fashionable thing to do!

Finding the old school was the perfect blend of workshop and family living, providing tall enough ceilings for their work, but also a lovely warm space to call home. Fast forward several decades, and the family are ready to leave the school for the next chapter.

As you approach the front of the property, opposite the grade 1 listed St. James’s Church, the school oozes authenticity with preserved boys and girls entranceways, ceiling beams, tall windows, doors and external features. 

Entering into what was the main hall but now the former workshop, remnants of looms and storage boxes remain beneath the double height ceilings. A partition wall has been installed at one end, to provide a dry storage area away from the main work area.

This space is currently registered for commercial purposes and therefore subject to business rates. The vendor has put in an application with the local council (Babergh), to convert the property to full residential, providing the flexibility & potential for any incoming buyer.

To the rear of the space, a mezzanine level has been installed, historically to provide a platform for maintenance of the looms but also storage and access to the water tank. An additional feature bedroom has been reclaimed out of the space, highlighting the beams and ceiling height potential of the property.

Through a rear door off the workshop, you enter the residential half of the property. Immediately there is a second bedroom with additional storage, just off the hallway, alongside a family bathroom and separate W/C.

A comfy, country kitchen leads off the hallway from here and overlooks the garden. Integrated appliances and two large larder cupboards are present, one that is currently used as an airing cupboard. A wonderful dining room joins the kitchen, and has big bright windows throwing light throughout the day, across the oak floors and quarry tiled kitchen.

Flowing through to the living room, this is a marvellous lateral corner space, with a warm and leafy outlook. The principal bedroom is adjacent and is equally bright and spacious, with a generous walk-in wardrobe, that could be curated to include an additional en-suite bathroom.

Accessible from outside, there is a separate studio apartment adjoining the property with its own bedroom, kitchenette, shower and W/C, added on by the owners throughout their tenure at the school.

The mature walled garden is deceptively deep, with a lush lawn, established trees & borders, greenhouse, patio for al-fresco dining in summer, and space for a vegetable patch. The original outside brick-built toilet block remains and is currently used for garden storage.

There is a long driveway to the side of the school, with parking for up to 3-4 cars (depending on the size of vehicle!)

In addition there is a detached barn conversion, historically within the gardens but now under a separate freehold, which is also on the market, which may make an ideal investment alongside.

Nayland is nestled in the edge of the Dedham Vale AONB, and is known for its attractive Stuart & Tudor houses & high street. Formerly a very wealthy cloth-weaving town in the 15th-16th centuries, when the trade moved away in the 17th century, it survived the rampant building of the Georgian & Victorian era, maintaining many of the historic properties we see today.

The village has a thriving community with a (newer) primary school, doctors & dentist surgeries, a village deli, post office, and a charming pub, The Anchor Inn. The neighbouring village, ‘Stoke-by -Nayland’ has two more pubs, golf course and a popular spa/gym.

There are a number of highly rated secondary schools that are within an easy drive, including the Royal Grammar School in Colchester, the County High School for Girls, Littlegarth Prep School and Holmwood House, all within 15-20 minutes.

Colchester is your closest city, only a 15 minute drive, and has everything you would need for daily life. The train connection from Colchester to London Liverpool Street is under an hour, with regular fast services at peak times only taking 45 minutes.

Additional Information:

• Property Construction: Brick/Traditional construction
• Utilities: Oil, Electricity, Water, Broadband
• Heating: Oil fired central heating
• Electricity supply: Independently supplied (EDF)
• Water Supply: Mains Water Supply (Anglican Water)
• Sewerage: Mains connected
• Broadband: Standard Download speed – 17mps; Upload Speed: 1mps (Ultrafast is available)
• Mobile signal/coverage: Good Coverage of all major networks
• Restrictions: Nayland Conservation Area
• Building safety: Asbestos is present