Keepers Lodge in Denham offers 17 acres of land, cartlodge, workship and a tractor store

Keepers Lodge, Denham (Image: Archant)

Special owners are sought for Keepers Lodge, a superb individual home in an exceptional 17-acre setting in the west Suffolk countrysides.

Despite its rural setting, the property is convenient for local village amenities and the busy market town of Bury St Edmunds.

This stunning modern house, was built of traditional construction in 2004, and it was completed to a high standard of craftsmanship throughout.

It’s special setting includes 17 acres of gardens, and meadow and with historic woodland - Hocker Hill.

Keepers Lodge, Denham (Image: Archant)

The ancient woodland, about 14 acres, has been enthusiastically kept and maintained by the owners Alun and Helen Booth, who have nurtured and encouraged specimen trees, flowers and wildlife, and created a one mile long nature walk to be enjoyed through the seasons.

Mr Alun Booth said: “It is absolutely beautiful here, especially on the right day.

“It is absolutely lovely.

“The woodland has been here virtually untouched since the Second World War. It is an ancient woodland and can be traced back to the 1500s.

Keepers Lodge, Denham (Image: Archant)

“If it is recorded in the Middle Ages, then it has almost certainly been there for ever.”

They took advice from the Forest Commission and Suffolk Wildlife Trust, and began regular coppicing, and a firewood business, in order the manage the wood and to encourage wildflowers and visiting wildlife.

“We have introduced a few ponds to improve the newts and things like that.

“There is wide variety of bird life and I have seen two of our three native woodpeckers, and barn owls and lots of bats which like the trees.

Keepers Lodge, Denham (Image: Archant)

“The wood is fenced in, but we get the odd muntjack deer, though not larger deer. “They are on the neighbouring estate.

“The wood is known for its oxslips and bluebells.”

They originally moved here in 2002, planning to renovate the old house which stood on the site.

The restoration proved impractical.

The more they removed of the original structure, the less it was worth saving, explained Alun.

“We moved here, with two children and three dogs, and we lived in caravans and project managed it ourselves. I run my own business, and I can run my own business from one caravan.

“It really is a lovely place to live.”

Helen Wood added: “We think it is pretty special and we need to find some people to buy it who’ll think it’s pretty special too.

“You never really own a wood - just keep it in good order for the future.

“It is a case of passing the baton down the line and leaving things in better order than you found them.”

The setting is the same, but today the family house has the latest in modern conveniences.

Keepers Lodge is approached through wrought iron gates onto a large gravel driveway and parking area with access to a three bay cartlodge and outbuildings.

The majority of the formal garden area is laid to lawn, with a variety of shrubs and mature trees, together with a pond, terrace and kitchen garden.

To the south is a triangular-shaped meadow of around 1.5 acres.

The accommodation is over two floors and includes a fabulous reception hall with a full-height galleried landing, leading to a triple aspect sitting room, with a woodburning stove on a tiled hearth, to a music room and to a large family/dining room with a feature red brick chimney breast and a woodburning stove.

The dining room opens to the kitchen/breakfast room which is fitted with a range of Shaker-style painted base and eye level units, with granite worktops, and there is a range cooker. There is access to a boot room and a side hall.

Also on the ground floor is double aspect study with a neighbouring shower room, which could be used as a guest bedroom suite.

On the first floor there is a large landing area giving access to a master bedroom, which has stunning views over the grounds and neigbouring deer farm.

The bedroom has a range of fitted wardrobes and access to a large Jack-and-Jill shower room, which is shared with bedroom two.

The three remaining double bedrooms are served by the principal family bathroom.

Also accessed from the landing, via a circular staircase, is a 47ft long attic room which has four rooflights.

The outbuildings include the three bay cartlodge with adjoining store room and a games room, with a staircase leading to a 34 foot room, previously used as home office space, but which could be converted to studio or annexe space, as it includes a kitchenette and storage.

There is also a detached workshop building, a log store and a tractor/machinery store.