Birchwood House, Burstall, IP8 3ER I Guide Price £900,000 – £950,000

Summary: An exceptional four-bedroom detached residence, elegantly positioned within a peaceful cul-de-sac in the highly sought-after village of Burstall. Set well back from the road, the property boasts an impressive frontage that immediately conveys a sense of privacy and prestige.

To the rear, a beautifully landscaped garden provides a serene retreat, complete with a striking garden entertaining area, perfect for hosting or relaxing in style, and a superb timber garden office with light and power, ideal for home working or creative use.

Thoughtfully extended and meticulously modernised throughout, this home offers a seamless blend of contemporary design and refined living, resulting in interiors that would not look out of place in the pages of a leading lifestyle magazine.

The Approach: Perfectly positioned in the heart of the village, discreetly tucked behind the picturesque St Mary the Virgin Church and set along a quiet cul-de-sac, this home enjoys both charm and convenience.

The frontage is a particular highlight, with the property set well back from the road, creating an immediate sense of space and distinction. A generous lawn, expansive driveway, and a backdrop of mature trees and manicured box hedging combine to deliver exceptional kerb appeal, further enhanced by elegant exterior and driveway lighting that showcases the home beautifully into the evening. From the front gardens, the upper reaches of the church are visible, offering a particularly attractive and characterful outlook. There is also ample scope to add garages or cart lodges, should one wish to extend the existing offering.

Practicality meets style with a side entrance leading directly into a useful boot room and adjacent bathroom, ideal for muddy boots or paws after countryside walks, while a more formal front entrance welcomes guests through an attractive front door, setting the tone for the accommodation beyond.

Ground Floor:

A generously proportioned entrance hall provides an impressive introduction to the home, featuring a tiled floor and an attractive staircase with soft cream carpeting rising to the first floor. A bespoke fitted mirror enhances the sense of space and light, while doors lead to a beautifully designed ground-floor WC and a well-appointed home office with fitted furniture. Double-glazed doors open onto the heart of the home, revealing a truly exceptional open-plan kitchen, dining, and family space.

Kitchen, Dining and Family Room: This outstanding open plan area immediately delivers a striking sense of space and grandeur, thoughtfully arranged into three distinct yet harmonious zones. The kitchen, dining and seating areas all enjoy views across the garden through an impressive wall of sliding glass doors, while solid wood flooring runs seamlessly throughout. Flooded with natural light from both the expansive glazing and Velux roof windows above, this is a space designed for modern living at its finest.

The kitchen itself blends traditional craftsmanship with a contemporary rustic styling, featuring elegant soapstone worktops and an extensive range of base and wall cabinetry offering superb storage through a combination of cupboards and drawers. High-quality integrated appliances include two ovens, an induction hob with extractor, and a dishwasher. A magnificent central island forms a natural focal point, providing the perfect setting for informal dining and social gatherings. The bespoke solid-wood worktops, crafted by a local shipbuilder, add a unique and characterful touch that reflects the quality found throughout the home.

Sitting Room: To the right, a set of discreet sliding glass doors opens into a beautifully appointed formal sitting room. This elegant space centres around a wood-burning stove, complemented by bespoke shelving with integrated LED lighting. A sliding solid oak door cleverly conceals the television and media equipment, maintaining a refined aesthetic. Sliding patio doors provide direct access to the terrace and garden beyond, while a large window frames views over the front garden, creating a wonderfully balanced and inviting room, ideal for more formal entertaining.

Garden Room: Returning through the main living space, a further set of glazed double doors leads into a second reception room, affectionately referred to as the garden room. This impressive space features triple bi-fold doors opening onto the garden, a vaulted ceiling with four Velux roof windows, and built-in storage. A further sliding solid oak door connects seamlessly to the utility room, enhancing the home's practical flow.

Utility Room: Far from a purely functional space, the utility room has been designed with the same attention to detail as the rest of the property. A vaulted ceiling and Velux windows create a bright and airy environment, while a range of attractive cabinetry provides excellent storage, alongside a stainless steel sink with a pull-out mixer tap. From here, there is access to a ground-floor shower room, ideal for family living or guests.

Boot Room: A further door leads through to the boot room, offering ample space for coats, boots and outdoor wear, along with a pantry and plant room housing the oil boiler. Additional fitted units accommodate a washing machine and dryer. Altogether, the utility, boot room and shower room form a highly practical and beautifully executed ancillary wing, perfectly suited to the demands of modern family life.

First Floor:

As you ascend to the first floor, you are immediately greeted by a large window overlooking the front of the property, flooding the landing with natural light and providing an impressive outlook across the front garden and woodland beyond, with charming glimpses of the village church. This delightful view creates a truly uplifting setting that is sure to be enjoyed every day.

The first floor accommodation comprises four well-proportioned double bedrooms, all thoughtfully arranged around a spacious landing with a useful linen cupboard. The family bathroom is modern and well-appointed, serving the remaining bedrooms, while the principal suite offers a luxurious retreat, complete with a stylish ensuite bathroom and a walk-in wardrobe. The beautifully appointed principal bedroom enjoys delightful views over the front and side gardens, enhanced by a thoughtfully positioned feature window opposite the bed. This design allows you to take in blue skies and the gentle movement of surrounding trees from the comfort of bed, creating a calm and truly relaxing retreat.

Rear Gardens:

The rear gardens are a truly exceptional feature of this home, enjoying a desirable southerly aspect and having been beautifully landscaped over the years by the current owners. Designed with both entertaining and family life in mind, the garden offers a seamless blend of elegance and practicality.

Immediately to the rear, a generous composite-decked terrace with inset lighting provides the perfect setting for al fresco dining and summer gatherings, flowing effortlessly onto an extensive paved patio. Beyond, sweeping lawns create a wonderful sense of space, ideal for children to play, while mature trees, established borders and inset shrubs provide a rich and private backdrop, all thoughtfully enclosed by hedging and fencing.

At the heart of the garden sits a striking wooden gazebo, creating a stunning focal point and a superb all-year-round entertaining space. Complete with a feature chandelier, lighting and heating, it offers an inviting setting to relax or host in comfort, whatever the season.

Further enhancing the versatility of the outdoor space, there is a charming timber entertainment cabin with a window, power, lighting and heating, alongside a beautifully presented summerhouse which could easily serve as a stylish home office, measuring approximately 15ft by 15ft, complete with windows, French doors, power, lighting and insulation.

Thoughtfully positioned lighting has been installed throughout the garden in various areas, subtly illuminating key features and pathways to create a truly enchanting setting after dark, allowing the gardens to be enjoyed as much in the evening as they are during the day.

A shingled pathway bordered by box hedging leads to the rear of the garden, where an additional patio and seating area can be found, along with a large garden store. Practicality is further complemented by vehicular access to the far end of the plot, completing this remarkable and highly adaptable outdoor setting.

Additional Information:

Unlisted detached property offering 2532 sqft of living accommodation.
Plot Size: 0.95 acres
Year of Build: Approximately 1970's.
Oil central heating with a programmer, room thermostat, and TRVs. Boiler installed 2016 with regular servicing.
Mains water, electric and waste.
Local Authority: Suffolk
Conservation area: No
Council Tax Band F (approximately £3200 pa)
Energy Performance Rating: D
Lighting: Low-energy lighting fitted to 17% of light fittings.
Pitched roof with 400mm of loft insulation.
Extensions: 2016
Kitchen Appliances included in sale: Integrated double oven, dishwasher and washing machine.
Loft: Fully boarded, lights and ladder.
Garden Orientation: South Facing
Flood risk: Very Low
Mobile Phone Signal: O2, EE, Three and Vodaphone
Cable and Satellite TV available in the area: BT and Sky
Internet: speeds up to 80 Mbps, or 200Mbps with Starlink.
Tree Preservation Orders on the row of lime trees along the boundary.
Current Owner tenure: 22 years
Vendor's chain position: The property is being sold CHAIN FREE

Local Area Guide:

Nestled in the highly desirable village of Burstall, 1 Kenney Close enjoys a peaceful rural setting while remaining within easy reach of the historic market town of Hadleigh and the vibrant town of Ipswich. This sought-after location offers an enviable balance of countryside living with convenient access to a wide range of amenities, schooling, transport links and leisure opportunities.

Village Life in Burstall: Burstall is a quintessential Suffolk village, known for its sense of community, attractive countryside surroundings and charming rural character. The village is centred around the beautiful St Mary the Virgin Church, which adds to the picturesque outlook enjoyed in the area. Residents benefit from a peaceful environment, with rolling fields, country walks and a strong sense of community spirit. The village is ideal for those seeking a quieter lifestyle while still being within easy reach of nearby towns.

Nearby Villages and Surrounding Area: The surrounding area is dotted with attractive villages, including Somersham, Hintlesham, and Bramford, each offering its own charm, local pubs and countryside walks. The nearby village of Hintlesham is particularly well known for the highly regarded Hintlesham Hall Hotel, a beautiful country house hotel set within extensive grounds, offering fine dining and a luxurious setting for special occasions.

Schools and Education: The area is well served by an excellent range of schooling options, both state and independent, making it highly appealing for families. For primary education, nearby options include Somersham Primary School and Hintlesham & Chattisham Primary School, both of which are well regarded within the local community. At secondary level, there are several highly respected independent schools within easy reach, including:

Ipswich School, one of the region’s leading independent schools, with a strong academic reputation
St Joseph’s College, offering both day and boarding education with excellent facilities
Ipswich High School, a highly regarded independent school known for its academic excellence and strong pastoral care
Royal Hospital School, a prestigious co-educational boarding and day school set in extensive grounds overlooking the River Stour
State secondary education is also well catered for, with schools such as Ormiston Endeavour Academy and Kesgrave High School.

For further education and higher education, Ipswich offers:

University of Suffolk, providing a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses
Suffolk New College, offering vocational and academic pathways for students aged 16+

Shops, Supermarkets and Everyday Amenities: Everyday amenities are easily accessible in nearby Hadleigh and Ipswich. Hadleigh offers a charming selection of independent shops, cafés and essential services, along with a traditional market town atmosphere. Ipswich, just a short drive away, provides extensive retail options including supermarkets such as Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda, along with a wide range of high street shops in the town centre and at the Buttermarket Shopping Centre.

Transport Links: The property benefits from excellent transport connections. The nearby A14 provides direct access to the wider region, linking to the A12 and offering routes towards Cambridge, Felixstowe and London. Ipswich railway station offers regular direct services to London Liverpool Street, making the location particularly attractive for commuters, with journey times of approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes. Local bus routes also connect Burstall to surrounding villages and towns.

Shopping and Lifestyle: Ipswich provides a broad selection of leisure and lifestyle amenities, including theatres, restaurants, bars and a cinema. The town also offers access to the waterfront, with marinas, cafés and restaurants creating a vibrant and attractive setting for dining and socialising. For those who enjoy the outdoors, the surrounding Suffolk countryside provides endless opportunities for walking, cycling and equestrian pursuits, with scenic footpaths and bridleways throughout the area.

Healthcare and Medical Facilities: Healthcare provision is well covered locally. There are several GP surgeries in nearby Hadleigh and Ipswich, along with dental practices and pharmacies. Ipswich Hospital, part of the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, provides comprehensive medical services including A&E, specialist care and outpatient facilities, ensuring peace of mind for residents.

Detached House in Ipswich