With its own gated entrance, Coastguard House is accessed from a private gravelled driveway, flanked on one side by a well-stocked herbaceous border and on the other lawn and fruit trees, and provides ample parking. Externally the property, constructed from brick, features some fine period detailing including two beautifully crafted Victorian brick-splayed circular motifs at gable end level, one of which has been turned into a mosaic window. From the upper floors are views toward the river and Orfordness beyond.
Internally the property exudes charm and calmness, and features a beautiful vaulted reception room (currently used as a music room), and a large open-plan kitchen/dining reception room with an open working fireplace. The property benefits from three bedrooms at first floor level with one family bathroom with bath and separate shower cubicle. The top floor has been converted to create a loft bedroom with fine views toward the river, and an en-suite bathroom.
To the south east of the house there is a further garden section which has been stylishly landscaped by the owner, and features a circular paved terrace area (encircled by an herbaceous border) which cleverly references the house’s brick motifs. This little garden section is hidden away from the outside world and makes for a perfect spot for al-fresco dining and entertaining. A curved paved path leads onward to three sizeable raised sleeper garden beds, and then to the pièce de résistance, a rather wonderful boat house garage with its cathedralesque vaulted ceiling. The boat house is entered from a side door from the garden but has double doors that open out onto a shared lane that allows for car and boat access.
Location:
The entrance to Coastguard House is located on the right-hand side just after passing Broad Street and is therefore within close proximity to Orford Castle, Market Hill, and the quay. The National Nature Reserves of Orford Ness and Havergate Island are situated in the River Ore just to the south east of the village, renowned for its bird life. Orford is an extremely attractive village situated on the River Ore with a popular 12th century castle, a church which was used by Benjamin Britten for premieres and performances of some of his works including his Church Parables. Orford packs quite a punch for a small village and benefits from two fine public houses (The Jolly Sailor & The King’s Head), a smokery (Pinneys), school, two well-known restaurants (The Butley Oysterage and The Crown & Castle) as well as a thriving village shop, a butcher, a farmers’ market, a newsagent and not to mention the rather fabulous Pump Street Bakery. The close proximity to the river allows the opportunity to pursue a wide variety of water sports and Orford is particularly well known for sailing. There are 18-hole golf courses at Woodbridge and Aldeburgh. In addition, there are a much wider range of local schools and facilities at Woodbridge, Framlingham and Ipswich. Snape Maltings concert hall is a short drive. From Woodbridge and Wickham Market there is access to the A12 and also a train service to London via Ipswich. More extensive facilities can be found at Ipswich, the County Town of Suffolk, which also offers regular mainline railway services to London.
Accommodation comprises:
Four bedrooms; Family bathroom (first floor); En-suite bathroom (loft floor); Shower room/cloakroom (ground floor); Reception room; Kitchen/dining sitting room; Utility room; External boiler room; Boathouse garage.
Agent’s note:
There is a pedestrian right of access through the property to the other Coastguard cottages (NB this was used historically but only occasionally today); the other cottages’ main access is from the signposted lane off Quay Street.
Guide price: £895,000 subject to contract
Tenure: Freehold
