Laundry Cottage - Aldeburgh, Suffolk, England

Situated on the main road between the A12 & the pretty coastal town of Aldeburgh, it is close to Snape and The Snape Maltings where the Benjamin Britten Music and Arts Centre is based. Laundry Cottage (used for a time as the laundry for the main house in the 19th Century, hence the name) forms part of a group of appealing period buildings which benefit from access to a nature reserve from the rear of the property. It is the earliest dwelling on the site dating back to the 17th Century when it adjoined the windmill known as Plomesgate Mill which was in existence until about 1760. There is no trace of the windmill now but the cottage that housed the miller remains and now invites you to take a step back in time.

The cottage has its own small courtyard area and private garden which is screened by mature mixed hedging and is covered in rambling roses in Summer. You enter the cottage through the kitchen, a light and airy room with leaded windows to three aspects. It still retains a fireplace with a working Victorian range and brick floor which together with the beamed ceiling make this a perfect place to settle back by the glow of the coals in the evening after a leisurely meal and allow yourself to be transported back to years gone by. The kitchen also has a modern electric Bosch double oven and electric hob, dishwasher, fridge and microwave - and someone else blacks the range for you ! Leading from the kitchen is a spacious sitting room with a heavily beamed ceiling, original Suffolk White brick floors and a wonderful large, red brick fireplace with a woodburner which is set in a wood panelled wall. There are two large, comfortable sofas, subtle lighting and a selection of old prints and china which add to the relaxing and cosy atmosphere of this room. The old door leads from the kitchen up the narrow and quite steep staircase which takes you into the master bedroom with its fabulous oak four poster bed.

The period oak furniture is complimented by some stunning textiles which make this a wonderfully romantic room. From the master bedroom you enter a wide inter-connecting corridor which gives access to the twin bedded room. Two full sized single beds, boarded floor with rugs and the chimney breast are features of this room. This room is furnished with antique pine. In the corridor is a very special and wonderful Breton bed. These beds are like cupboards that are built into the wall and this one has the most amazing, ancient carved sliding doors and within is a full sized single bed - you can take your book and a glass of wine, close the doors and be in a world of your own! Mark is over 6 foot and after trying this bed is now desperate to get one for himself.

The bathroom has a double ended Victorian style roll top bath on ball and claw feet with shower mixer taps, wash hand basin and wc. There is part oil central heating which works when our own heating is on in our house, woodburner and oil filled radiators. The restoration and authentic furnishing of this cottage is wonderfully atmospheric and the attention to detail and presentation that Martin and Beverley give it, thoroughly warrant its 5 Star rating by us.

Please visit http://www.grove-cottages.co.uk/ to find out more about the holiday cottage, amenities, surrounding area and places to visit in Suffolk.

The seaside at Aldeburgh is a 7 min drive away and there are unique walks from there along the Orford Ness Nature Reserve or beside the salt lakes to Thorpeness. Aldeburgh is a big Arts Centre with many excellent shops and restaurants and a pretty marina / harbour. Less than 2 hours from London - it's a great weekend escape cottage.

Travel:

Good places to visit: Southwold, Sutton Hoo, Woodbridge, Minsmere

Annual Events:

Good places to eat: Plenty of pubs within easy distance.

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