SPACIOUS ONE-LEVEL LIVING PROPERTY NESTLED IN A SECLUDED FORMER COUNTRY HOUSE SETTING – ALL ENVELOPED BY AN ATTRACTIVE PERIOD BRICK & FLINT WALLED GARDEN

This four-bedroom bungalow offers comfortable, contemporary and well-proportioned living spaces. Of particular note is the welcoming and wide entrance hall that leads to a capacious triple aspect sitting room with its large bay window, polished stone hearth and French doors to a sun terrace, the south-facing kitchen / breakfast room revolves around a central island with a full range of appliances to include an American-style fridge freezer, a useful utility room equipped with a washing machine and condenser dryer. Moreover, the bedroom wing is cleverly configured so as to be separate from the main living area. A bathroom and en-suite shower room are fully tiled and include a spa bath. There is double glazing throughout, gas fired central heating and hard-wired auxiliary speakers in the principal rooms that could be modified to be WIFI enabled. Additionally, there is the opportunity to considerably extend into the loft space (refer to agent’s notes and floor plan).

The property is nestled in a former country house estate setting, completely enveloped by an attractive period brick and flint high garden wall (likely what was once the kitchen garden), which affords a great degree of seclusion, privacy and security. Wrought iron gated piers lead to plentiful parking and a double garage. To the rear of the property is a garden laid mainly to lawn with a sun terrace.

LOCATION:

1 Fornham House Close is situated in a highly regarded village of Fornham St. Martin – 3 miles north of the fine Suffolk cathedral town of Bury St. Edmunds. Conveniently located for A14 / A11 / M11 access. The local community ‘The Fornhams’ is collectively well-served by a selection of amenities that include the All Saints Hotel, Golf Club and Spa, Three Kings public house, a pizzeria, Community Centre and parishes churches. The popular 18th century Woolpack public house. Reputable private and public schools, an eclectic range of high street and independent shops, and some the country’s finest restaurants – including the only Michelin star in Suffolk- and leisure facilities can be found within a short drive.

FULL DETAILS:

1 Fornham House Close displays brick elevations beneath a pantiled pitched roof and provides well-appointed, comfortable and versatile accommodation that measures approximately 1,621 ft2 (156.2 m2). The property will suit a broad range of buyers from downsizers to young families – all who seek convenient one-level living with scope to extend and privacy in a sought after village.

Entrance Hall - An arched storm porch illuminated by four downlights with a partially glazed front door and floor to ceiling glazing either side opens to a wide and welcoming entrance hall. Alarm system. Recessed lighting. Doors to:

Cloak Room - With privacy glazed window to front aspect, the suite comprises pedestal basin with mixer tap and wc. Tiled floor. Recessed lighting. Radiator.

Sitting Room - A capacious and light triple aspect sitting room with bay window and south-facing French doors to the garden terrace. The focal point is a polished stone hearth with gas fire inset. TV point. Hard-wired auxiliary ceiling speaker system. Pendant lighting.

Kitchen / Breakfast Room - From the inner hall a partially glazed door opens to a south-facing kitchen / breakfast room awash with natural light. There is an extensive range of shaker style wall-mounted and base cabinetry with tiled splashbacks, wood preparation surfaces with task lighting above and a ceramic sink inset with mixer tap. A complete suite of integrated appliances include Hotpoint mirrored double oven and grill, microwave, four ring gas hob with extractor above, undercounter fridge and undercounter freezer – supplemented by a stainless steel Kenwood American-style fridge/freezer. Water softener. Hard-wired auxiliary ceiling speaker system. French doors to garden terrace and further window fitted with roller blind. The dining area has further full height cabinetry and side board. Wood floor. Mix of pendant and recessed lighting. Radiator.

Utility Room - A useful large separate utility room with window to front aspect fitted with roller blind. Fully equipped with both Bosch washing machine and Bosch condenser dryer. Wall-mounted and base cabinetry is arranged in a galley style layout with wood work surfaces and a one and half ceramic sink with mixer tap inset. Tiled splashbacks. Combi gas-fired boiler (2 year’s new). Wood floors. Recessed lighting. External door to pathway that in turn leads to the detached garage.

Agent’s note: this could be extended to encompass the garage (subject to the necessary planning consents).

A passageway connects the spacious bedroom wing accommodation. Airing cupboard housing hot water cylinder. Loft hatch with ladder.

AGENT’S NOTE: considerable scope to develop the roomy loft space into a further two bedrooms both with en-suites – each with sky lights – refer to floorplan (subject to the necessary planning consents).

Bedroom One - The principal bedroom has palatial proportions with a large window to the rear garden aspect fitted with roller blind. Built-in triple wardrobe with hanging rail and auto lighting. Hard-wired auxiliary ceiling speaker system. Phone point. Dimmable recessed lighting and three pin bed side lamp points. Radiator.

En-Suite Shower Room - Fully tilled with privacy window to front aspect. The suite comprises a corner shower cubicle with shower attachment, pedestal basin with mixer tap and wc. Shaver point. Double height heated towel rail. Extractor fan. Mirror. Recessed lighting.

Bedroom Two - Large window to rear garden aspect fitted with roller blind. Built-in double wardrobe with hanging rail. Recessed lighting. Radiator.

Bedroom Three - Window to rear garden aspect fitted with roller blind. Built-in double wardrobe with hanging rail. Recessed lighting. Radiator.

Bedroom Four - Large window to front aspect fitted with roller blind. Built-in double wardrobe with hanging rail. Recessed lighting. Radiator.

AGENT’S NOTE: this room could provide space for a staircase access point to the potential two bedroom loft extension above.

Bathroom - Fully tiled with privacy window to front aspect. The sumptuous suite comprises a Arrow jet spa bath tub with shower attachment, pedestal basin with mixer tap and wc. Shaver point. Double height heated towel rail. Extractor fan. Mirror. Recessed lighting.

WALLED GARDEN & GATED PARKING

The property is approached via a long driveway leading through a pair of brick piers with a set of wrought iron gates opening to a shingle driveway providing expansive vehicle parking and access to the large detached garaging with electrically operated up and over door and window to rear. The entire garden is enveloped by an attractive brick and flint period high wall that gives a great degree of privacy and security, which is believed to extend to around 0.28 acres in all. Largely laid to lawn with shrub, flower beds and borders. A south-facing sun terrace and pathway wraps around the property. Outdoor tap. Outdoor ambient lighting.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

TENURE
The property is offered for sale FREEHOLD by private treaty with vacant possession upon completion.

SERVICES
Mains water, drainage and electricity are connected. Gas-fired central heating. NOTE: none of the services have been tested by the agent.

LOCAL AUTHORITY
West Suffolk Council.
Tax Band F – ££2,767.57 (2022/2023).

VIEWING ARRANGEMENTS
Strictly by prior appointment through the seller(s) sole agent: Whatley Lane. If there is anything of particular importance, please contact us to discuss, especially before embarking upon your journey to view the property.

DIRECTIONS (IP31 1SY):
From London/Cambridge/Newmarket (by car) leave the M11 at junction 9 and take the A11 towards Newmarket. Continue on the A14 towards Bury St. Edmunds. Exit the A14 at Junction 42, signposted 'Bury St. Edmunds West'. Take the B1106 towards Fornham All Saints and continue on the B1106 through the village crossing the two roundabouts (passing church on the left). Then continue along into Fornham St. Genevieve (passing All Saints Hotel and Golf Course on the left). At the roundabout, take the third exit into Fornham St. Martin and after 500 metres the entrance driveway to Fornham House Close will be the first turning on the left (opposite the Woolpack public house). Continue along the former country house estate road until reaching the gate piers of 1 Fornham House Close marked by our For Sale board.

PROVENANCE:

Little is known about the exact construction date of neighbouring Fornham House, however the site has much older origins that date back to the 16th century, as evidenced by remnants of Tudor red brick to the roadside frontage boundary wall.

For most of the 19th century the house was occupied by the Ord family. In 1843 the property, with its 250 acres estate, belonged to John Thomas Ord, later to become a Colonel of the Suffolk Yeomanry and a JP. His nephew, Captain William St George Ord, JP, who inherited the estate, died 1886. In 1908 the house was unoccupied, in 1939 it became a Bernardo’s evacuation home for boys and is now Fornham House Care Home.

1 Fornham House Close occupies the former country house estate grounds and is enveloped by an attractive brick and flint wall (likely what would have formed the kitchen garden to serve Fornham House).