Location

Te Awahou occupies a wonderful position in the delightful village of Walberswick on the Suffolk coast. Approximately 100 miles from central London, the village is situated within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is surrounded by dunes and the heathland of RSPB Minsmere.

Walberswick has been a favourite spot for families and artists over many generations, with painters including Philip Wilson Steer and Charles Rennie Macintosh famously depicting its beach and environs. Today, the village is a thriving community and home to an increasing number of young families.

Village amenities include a small local Co-op shop, two pubs including The Anchor restaurant and a highly regarded delicatessen, The Black Dog.

Southwold (8.1 miles via car or a 1.9 mile walk/cycle) offers boutique shops, restaurants and cultural amenities including an independent cinema and the Southwold Arts Centre. The town also hosts the Southwold Arts Festival's annual celebration of arts and literature.

RSPB Minsmere (8.7 miles) is a world-class nature reserve. Classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, its 2,500 acres are habitat to exceptional wildlife.

Aldeburgh (14.9 miles) is a popular coastal town closely associated with composer Benjamin Britten. It offers an excellent selection of independent shops and restaurants and, along with Snape Maltings, is venue of the internationally renowned Aldeburgh Music Festival.

Stations at Darsham (7.2 miles), Halesworth (8.6 miles) and Saxmundham (12.3 miles) offer trains to London Liverpool Street via Ipswich from just under two hours.

All times and distances are approximate.

Description

The house was built around 1904 for his own occupation by architect Frank Jennings (father of WWII filmmaker Humphrey Jennings). Jennings' approach is notable for its refined detailing and inventive incorporation of historic materials reclaimed from medieval Suffolk buildings. The house features in Pevsner's Buildings of England and is described as 'arguably the finest Arts & Crafts house' in the official Walberswick Conservation report. It also featured in the BBC documentary, Villages by the Sea, described as 'fashionable houses for fashionable people'.

Internally Te Awahou has many outstanding original features including exposed beams with fine details, five fireplaces, diamond pane leaded windows and plank style doors with iron latch and strap hinges. Te Awahou is one of the finest preserved Jennings houses in Walberswick having kept the original character of the house while modernising the property incredibly sympathetically and with great flair. A cobble and Suffolk tile path leading to the front door opens into a reception lobby with central hall way connecting the drawing room, sitting room, kitchen/ breakfast, study and utility room with stairs leading up to the bedroom accommodation.

The triple aspect drawing room is superb with its vaulted ceiling (capable of holding a 12ft Christmas tree), medieval oak beams with carved detailing. There are two brick fireplaces, one of which has a beautiful carved wooden mantle originating from the 16th century palace of the Duke of Norfolk in Harwich, it bears his crest, along with secret hiding places! There are also large windows flooding the room with natural light and French doors providing access to the gardens.

The AGA kitchen/ breakfast room is well proportioned and a light and bright room, which comprises ample storage in restored English Rose units first installed in 1960, a central island, gas hob and oven and an oak stable door providing access to the gardens. Plans have been drawn up to extend the kitchen, again, with great care and attention to preserving the character of the house. There is also an elegant sitting/dining room with a handsome fireplace with white stone frame and deep hearth, creating a natural focal point for the sitting area. The reception rooms have wonderful exposed beams and studwork, panelled oak doors, exposed wooden floors and all with the unmistakable Jennings character.

Completing the downstairs accommodation is a generously proportioned study offering delightful views over the gardens, along with a practical utility room providing excellent additional storage.

A staircase with beautifully carved wooden handrails and balusters rise to the first and second floor. The first floor has four generously proportioned bedrooms all comprising large leaded light windows flooding the rooms with natural light.

On the second floor there is a further generous bedroom with delightful views over Walberswick and towards the sea.

Outside
The gardens of Te Awahou are a particular feature of the house which sits well within the plot. A gravelled drive runs to one side providing off road parking and leading to the garage. A further garage is accessed separately from Millfield Road.

To the the east is a decorative sunken garden with low walls, beautiful intricate stone & tile paths surrounded by mature hedging and a charming folly.

The gardens are laid to lawn with wonderful herbaceous borders, a pond set in a wildflower garden, and fine mature trees. Paths lead through to a large covered terrace surrounded by mature verdant beds and borders. To one side lies the garden office with French windows opening out to the terrace.

Beyond lies a further delightful area of garden well stocked with lavender with symmetrical paths leading through to a traditional decorative 'National Trust' greenhouse.