Lavender Cottage, Middleton

AVAILABLE FOR A WEEK FROM FRIDAYS ONLY A feeling of calm will envelop you as you step into this gorgeous family holiday home, full of period features with stone and wonky wooden floors and beautiful beams, complemented by modern fixtures and fittings, with the benefit of a massive enclosed garden. Located in the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area Of Natural Beauty, less than five miles from the picturesque village of Dunwich, four miles from Minsmere Nature Reserve, and with an award-winning Grade II listed pub in the village itself, this is an enviable location for a memorable holiday or short break. Originally three cottages, there’s ample space for eight guests to relax with an amazingly sociable kitchen/dining room where light floods in through folding doors opening onto the patio, giving a great indoor/outdoor living experience. The dining table stretches along one side of the room, just waiting for celebration meals, which the kitchen is amply equipped to cater for with its Lacanche Range Cooker and cupboards heaving with crockery, cutlery and cookware. Both the beamed drawing room with reading corner, and the cosy family room are special places at any time of the year, with three impressive Inglenook fireplaces adding warmth and atmosphere. All four bedrooms on the first floor have original quirky cottage features with original floor board and sloping beamed ceilings, matched with some fascinating antique furniture. The family bathroom’s also on the first floor and there’s a shower room on the ground floor, next to the utility room. Lavender Cottage is set back from the road with a pretty tiered garden and steps down to either side of the house. The spacious garden at the back is just perfect for fun times with children and the family pet (one dog is welcome) – fully enclosed and primarily laid to lawn with ample space on the terrace for long lazy lunches and delicious BBQs. There’s parking for three cars and, If you can tear yourself away from this idyllic holiday cottage, there’s plenty to visit and explore for guests of all ages close by on foot, bike or by car. The Space: Kitchen’s a sociable place to prepare meals with a central island and equipped with a Lancanche Range cooker, Ground Floor Kitchen/Dining Room Sure to be the hub of the holiday. The kitchen is well equipped for catering with a central island, a Lacanche Range Cooker with two ovens, gas hob and warming drawers, a microwave, dishwasher, good sized free standing fridge/freezer, Nespresso machine (remember to bring pods!), kettle and toaster. The adjacent dining area has an impressive dining table with nine chairs, a well stocked Welsh dresser, side table and folding doors opening onto the patio. Family Room To the left of the kitchen/dining room is an opening and unique doors with stained glass windows taking you into this cosy family room with stone floor and Inglenook fireplace housing a wood burner. This room’s furnished with a sofa, coffee table and TV with DVD player and selection of DVDs. A door opens onto steep stairs rising to the first floor but we advise guests to keep the door closed and use the main stairs for safety. Drawing Room Fabulous room full of light and character with windows to the front of the cottage, fireplaces at either end with wood burning stoves and beams a plenty! Furnished with plenty of sofas around a unique sturdy bench with a TV in the corner for your entertainment. At one end up a step is an additional sitting area, ideal for some quiet time with a good book, with door back to the kitchen. Utility room Off the dining room with a washing machine and extra storage space. Shower Room Conveniently placed for when you’re downstairs or when you come in from the beach with sandy feet and beach gear so you don’t have to traipse it upstairs! Shower, wash basin, WC. Stairs Carpeted open tread stairs rise from the kitchen/dining room to the first floor, split into two with three bedrooms to the left and the fourth to the right with the family bathroom. Please note that the stairs aren’t ideal for toddlers or guests with a mobility issue. Upstairs Accommodation for eight guests broken down into 2 x king, 3 x single, 1 x small double Bedroom 1 The handsome oak king size bed sits between bedside tables under the beams in this carpeted room. There’s a dressing table with drawers and ample storage in the built-in wardrobes. Bathroom The bath sits under the beams (beware tall guests!) and there’s a wash basin, WC and natural light. Bedroom 2 A good-sized family room with wooden floors, furnished with sturdy bunk beds and additional single bed. Bedroom 3 The contemporary king size bed sits between bedside tables in this carpeted room. The sloping ceilings may be challenging for tall guests and there’s a very steep staircase from this room to the family room with a rope across as we recommend using the main staircase instead. Bedroom 4 At the side of the cottage, this room has floorboards covered by a large rug and a unique 4ft antique bed with bedside drawers. As the bed is quite small we consider that it is more suited to single occupancy. Outside The house is set back from the road and has a path to the left into the garden and driveway with gate to the right. There’s a big patio running along the back with outdoor furniture and a charcoal BBQ (please bring your own charcoal), plus a huge lawn to run around in. Whilst the garden enclosed it is not 100% secure for children or adventurous dogs so please keep an eye on them. Other Things to Note: This is a wonderfully quirky period house so be prepared for low ceilings and wonky floors! ONE well behaved dog is welcome but not allowed on furniture or upstairs in the house and please be sure to clean up after them in the garden. There will be an additional charge if the housekeeper has to spend more time cleaning the house or surroundings.