Bridge House - a unique family home built by the man behind Snape Maltings

Snape Bridge House, Snape (Image: Archant)

Designed in the Arts and Crafts style, this stunning, spacious home was originally two properties with a private chapel to the rear.

The current owners, whose family have lived in Bridge House for more than 40 years, joined those two former houses together to create the one, substantial property.

The result was Bridge House, a special family home in a superb location nestled alongside the famous Snape Maltings.

Johnny and Alesha Gooderham live here, with their four daughters, though they are now planning to emigrate to Australia.

Alesha and Johnny are well known in Suffolk business, having developed the tourism and retail offering at Snape Maltings over recent years, alongside the music.

Alesha Gooderham said: “This is an absolutely lovely family home. Johnny was born in the house.

“It will be a big change for us to leave it.

“It is a beautiful part of Suffolk. “There are lovely walks and routes for running. The children run for the Harriers and you can run to Aldeburgh, which is six miles.

“This is a great place to enjoy the countryside. You have got Rendlesham Forest, which is lovely for riding, and the coast and watersports as well.”

The couple have four daughters, Ella,15, Meg,13, Lily,11, and Ava who is five years-old.

“We are swapping one great country for another,” she added.

This exceptional home is finished to a high standard throughout and is beautifully presented.

There are period features including high ceilings, original doors, parquet flooring, fireplaces and large bay windows.

The windows provide an abundance of natural light within the house and frame fabulous views of the gardens and Snape Maltings itself.

Bridge House is entered through an elevated entrance porch into an imposing entrance hall.

The drawing room, off the main hall, has neutral colours and a feature dark oak inglenook fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows.

The hand-fitted kitchen has marble and wood surfaces over fitted units. There is a built-in larder, a Lacanche oven and a woodburning stove.

A grand dining room has a detailed rose pattern ceiling and both the kitchen and dining room have bay windows.

There is a well-proportioned sitting room, with discreet gun cabinets, and an orangery which is entered through glass bi-folding doors, which was added only in 2008.

It has oak flooring and underfloor heating, and glass windows, and can be used either as a dining room or sitting room.

It also has has bespoke cabinets, which house a bar fridge and shelving for food and drink to ease.

There is now a spectacular billiard room, which was formerly the chapel built in 1870.

It has a vaulted ceiling and a large, ornate fireplace.

Also on the ground floor are four bedrooms, a family bathroom, a large cloakroom and a utility which leads to the lower ground floor.

The lower ground floor is partially used as a self-contained annexe with a kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.

The first floor is a master suite of with built-in cupboards, master and en suite bathroom with His and Hers wash basins.

Bridge House is entered via electric gates and is secluded from the road by mature trees and is approached by a shingle driveway.

There is ample parking space.

The gardens sweep around the property and the back garden is mainly laid to lawn with trees, including plum trees, and a greenhouse.