Summary:
CURATED PROPERTY PRESENTS: This historic and exquisitely renovated former Victorian schoolhouse set in the peaceful Suffolk countryside is the epitome of luxury staycationing. Located opposite the Melford Hall estate, this house is ideally positioned for groups wishing to explore all Suffolk has to offer. With 3 comfortable bedrooms and large open plan living spaces extending out onto the terrace and garden, the home provides the perfect place for socialising without compromising privacy.
The Space:
Private electric gates lead into the front driveway where there is parking for 3 cars, and a Zappi EV charger which guests can use, along with dedicated undercover bicycle storage with electric point available for e-bikes. Please note there is a additional £15 charge per day for use of the EV charger.
Enter via the front door into the entrance hallway where you can store luggage/shoes and hang your coats. Immediately on your left you will find the first bedroom, equipped with comfortable twin single beds and a feature wood-burner to get cosy on winter nights.
Upstairs to your right you will find the master bedroom, which is equipped with a luxurious super-king size bed with heated blanket. The master bedroom also contains fitted wardrobes and a unique “maxi-bar” unit with in-built drinks fridge, 32” Samsung smart TV with SKY and tea & coffee making facilities, perfect for lying in on mornings. Across the hall is the third bedroom, which features a king size bed with heated blankets and fitted wardrobes. All bedrooms have desk or floor fans and very comfortable hybrid pocket-spring/memory foam mattresses. Hairdryers are provided in all bedrooms.
The windows on the top floor provide unbeatable views where you can admire the stunning trees in the garden as well as the surrounding Suffolk fields and blue skies. There is a bathroom with toilet and shower next to the bedrooms on the first floor.
The living spaces are located to the rear of the property downstairs in the new extension and provide a light-filled, spacious place to socialise as a group. The kitchen, dining room and living room have underfloor heating throughout for the winter as well as two air conditioning units to keep the area cool in the summer. The kitchen is equipped with everything you could possibly need to host a dinner party, featuring marble worktops, an island/breakfast bar unit, a large induction range cooker, Nespresso coffee maker, a Smeg fridge/freezer and a solid beech wood dining table for 8. French doors extend out onto the terrace where you will find a large gas Weber BBQ and an outdoor dining table and parasol, providing the ideal area for summer BBQs and al-fresco dining. The terrace is illuminated by festoon lighting hung from the trees at night, a perfect setting for evening meals.
The living room corner sofa is the ultimate place to relax on a winter’s evening by the fire, or kick back as a group and enjoy blockbuster movies on the 65" Samsung smart TV with state-of-the-art surround sound system. SKY TV is provided, along with all the usual entertainment apps. For rainy days, there’s a selection of board games provided. Wish to head out into the garden? Large bi-folding doors open out, revealing exquisite views of the garden area and the beautiful willow tree, which takes centre stage among various other tree species! There is also a second bathroom with a walk-in shower unit and large bathtub as well as a utility room with washing machine & separate tumble-dryer. The garden is approximately 0.5 acres exclusively for your use, and is perfect for sunbathing, picnics or even some cricket or croquet.
In the heart of the house there’s a dedicated workspace desk for home-working, along with a comfortable leather reading chair.
Guest Access:
The house and garden are available solely for guests. We ask that guests check themselves in using a lockbox, details of which will be provided upon booking. 2 sets of keys and a fob for the electric gates are provided.
The Neighborhood:
Long Melford is an enchanting large village with a long traditional high street (hence the name!) full of pubs, restaurants, shops and antiques warehouses. It’s one of the best known Suffolk Wool Towns, noted for the beauty of their architecture and large churches known as wool churches built from the prosperity of the medieval wool trade. Long Melford’s Holy Trinity church is one of the most famous parish churches in England and a fine example of the period. Nearby Lavenham is another medieval gem with incredible timbered houses (one of which is the location for the house of Harry Potter’s parents in the movies).
The beautiful River Stour divides Suffolk from Essex, and this area is referred to as 'the Essex/Suffolk border'. The countryside around Long Melford and Sudbury is also billed as 'Gainsborough country', after the famous portrait and landscape painter who was born and lived in Sudbury (the town will shortly have a brand new gallery which will host the finest collection of his work in the UK). Only a short hop away is Constable Country and the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Beauty (you can rent canoes or boats in both areas - well worth doing!). The School House has its own unique artistic heritage: a former owner of the school house was the model, lover and muse of the painter Francis Bacon, who often visited him at The School House. Francis Bacon’s portrait of John Edwards sold at auction for £90m.
Getting Around:
We would recommend using a car for your stay at The School House as the house is perfectly located in the stunning Suffolk countryside to explore. However, the house is situated just 5 minutes on foot from Long Melford High Street where there are various restaurants, bars, pubs, galleries, shops, supermarkets, local attractions and amenities accessible, detailed in the home manual. Parking for 3 cars is provided with additional parking nearby free of charge.
Within 45 mins drive of The School House you can reach Cambridge, Lavenham, Clare, Bury St Edmunds (lovely market town), Colchester (England’s first established town under the Romans) and Ipswich. The Suffolk coastal towns of Aldeburgh and Southwold are approx 90 mins away, or the beach at Frinton is an hour. London can be reach within 90 minutes
Sudbury has its own rather sweet train station with connections to London.
A network of public footpaths leads from the car park beside The School House for miles in every direction for walks, and there are many riverside walks or forest walks nearby.
Other Things to Note:
There is a pet fee of £50 and we accept up to 2 dogs unless agreed otherwise. Please reach out before booking to discuss this further if you plan to bring pets during your stay with us.
There are logs provided for the wood burners located to the right-hand side of the BBQ on the patio.
There is parking for 5 cars on site and there is also an EV charger besides the house - there is additional parking in a car park nearby which also has paid EV chargers.
INTERACTIVE TOUR AVAILABLE - https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=Ho9bXmSLHuK
When booking with us your stay will be protected by a Deposit Guarantee, Guest Guarantee and public liability provided by our risk management partner, SUPERHOG. To benefit from this protection you will be contacted by SUPERH0G directly to verify yourself.
There is a £15 charge per day for use of the EV charger.
Interaction with Guests:
We are available via message, phone or email 24/7. In-person check-ins can be arranged upon special request. We will be on hand during your stay to make your stay more enjoyable however we will also give you complete privacy. There is a home manual provided which explains everything you will need to know about the house, surrounding area and some recommendations.
