Mill Lane, Ipswich

There's something quite special about a house with a bit of history, particularly when that history is still part of what makes it such a lovely place to live today.

The Stables, tucked away on Mill Lane in Chelmondiston, is exactly that.

Originally used to house the horses working at the nearby mill, the property has since been transformed into a fantastic family home, combining its original character with the space and modern comforts you'd hope to find in a house like this.

Mill Lane itself has an interesting story. At the end of the lane once stood a windmill, which was later replaced by a steam-powered mill, and it's from this history that The Stables gets its name.

Today, the house sits in a quiet little position just off the main road through Chelmondiston, with attractive timber cladding, a lovely brick chimney and a welcoming appearance that gives you a sense of its character before you've even stepped inside.

One of the things I particularly like about this house is how well it balances the old and the new.

As you come through the entrance porch, you're welcomed into a lovely open hallway and dining area, where the original timber beams from the old stables are still on show.

It's a really nice feature and gives the space that bit of personality you simply can't recreate in a modern house.

There's plenty of room for a family dining table, and it makes for a lovely central point to the downstairs accommodation.

To the right is the living room, which is probably one of my favourite rooms in the house.

It's a really good size, with plenty of room for your sofas and furniture, but it still manages to feel wonderfully cosy.

The log burner is a fantastic feature, particularly during the colder months, and with plenty of natural light coming in, it's just a really lovely room to spend time in.

Whether that's relaxing with the family in the evening or sitting by the fire with a good book, it's a space that's easy to imagine yourself enjoying.

Heading back through the hallway, you make your way into the kitchen, which forms part of an extension completed some years ago.

It's a fantastic space, with plenty of worktop room, lots of storage, a whole host of appliances and a central island.

The kitchen has been updated by the current owners and has a lovely modern finish, working really well alongside the more traditional elements of the house.

It's practical for everyday family life, but equally the sort of kitchen where people naturally end up gathering when you've got friends or family round.

There's also a downstairs WC, which is always useful in a busy family home. One of the slightly more unusual and rather lovely features of the layout is the study, which sits halfway up the staircase.

This was also created as part of the extension and has a wonderful vaulted ceiling, giving it a real sense of space.

Along one side there is plenty of fitted shelving and storage, almost creating the feel of a little library.

It makes a fantastic home office, particularly if you're working remotely, but I could equally see it becoming a lovely reading room with a comfortable chair tucked into the corner.

It's one of those spaces that gives you a few options depending on how you want to use the house. Continuing upstairs, you arrive at a spacious landing leading through to the four bedrooms.

The main bedroom is a particularly generous room, with plenty of space for a large bed and additional furniture, and it enjoys views over your own garden.

It also benefits from its own en-suite shower room. The remaining three bedrooms are all good sizes too, with the two bedrooms at the far end of the landing comfortably accommodating double beds.

I actually rather like the way these two rooms have been arranged, with their doorways angled off the end of the hallway.

It gives that part of the house an interesting feel rather than simply having a long corridor with doors either side.

Both rooms also enjoy lovely views out across the fields opposite, and with the sun setting in that direction, you can get some absolutely stunning evening skies.

The fourth bedroom is currently being used as a dressing room, but would work equally well as another bedroom depending on your needs.

The family bathroom, with a shower over the bath, completes the upstairs accommodation. Throughout the house, it's clear that the current owners have really looked after the property.

They've made improvements over the years, including updating the kitchen, bathrooms, internal doors and flooring, as well as replacing the windows around four years ago.

Everything has been maintained to a really good standard, meaning this is a home you could comfortably move straight into without needing to start a list of jobs.

Outside is where things get particularly interesting.

The plot is long and relatively narrow, reflecting the property's original position alongside the old route to the mill, but there's a surprising amount of space to enjoy.

At the front, you've got a small lawned garden and a gated gravel driveway providing parking for a couple of cars.

The driveway then continues down towards the barn at the far end, giving you additional parking options, including the garage space itself.

The rear garden is a really lovely space and has clearly been enjoyed and cared for by the current owners.

Stepping out from the kitchen, you've got a patio area, ideal for sitting out with a morning coffee or enjoying a bit of sunshine.

From there, stepping stones lead you along the lawn, past established flower beds and a lovely little pond.

It's a garden with plenty of colour and interest, while still having lots of usable lawn space. It's also relatively private, which is always a bonus.

And then, at the end of the garden, you've got the barn. For me, this is one of the biggest selling points of the whole property.

The current owners transformed part of the barn during lockdown into an absolutely fantastic entertaining space, and they've done a brilliant job of it.

Open up the French doors from the garden and you're greeted by a proper home bar, with a pool table, darts board, fitted bar area and electricity throughout.

It's the sort of place where you could quite easily spend an entire evening with friends and family without needing to go anywhere else.

Outside the barn, there's also a patio and pergola area, giving you another brilliant space for summer barbecues, outdoor dining or simply sitting and enjoying the garden.

With the doors open, the indoor and outdoor spaces work together really nicely, making this a fantastic house for anyone who enjoys hosting.

And the beauty of the barn is that it's not just the entertaining space.

Alongside the recreation room, which measures almost 20ft in length, you've also got a substantial garage and a separate storage area.

It's a really versatile building, with plenty of room for cars, hobbies, a workshop or perhaps a home office if that's what you need.

You don't necessarily need to change anything, because what's already there is fantastic, but it gives you so many options depending on your lifestyle.

And then there's the location, which I think is a huge part of the appeal.

Chelmondiston is a fantastic village on the Shotley Peninsula, surrounded by some of Suffolk's most beautiful countryside and just a short distance from the River Orwell.

You've got everyday essentials in the village, including local shops, a primary school and the Red Lion pub, but one of the real treats is having Pin Mill just down the road.

If you know Pin Mill, you'll know exactly why it's such a special place.

Sitting right on the banks of the River Orwell, it's home to the Butt & Oyster, which is genuinely one of my favourite pubs in Suffolk.

There's not much better than heading down there for a drink or something to eat while looking out over the river, particularly on a sunny evening. The walks around here are absolutely fantastic too.

You've got access to the riverside paths, with routes taking you along the Orwell towards Freston and Ipswich, passing some wonderful countryside along the way.

Head in the opposite direction and there's even more of the peninsula to explore towards Shotley.

Closer to home, there are open fields just across the main road, making it incredibly easy to get out for a walk, whether that's with the dog, the family or just to enjoy a bit of fresh air.

For families, Chelmondiston Church of England Primary School is in the village, while Holbrook Academy provides a nearby state secondary school option.

There are also independent schools in the area, including Ipswich High School and the Royal Hospital School.

What makes this part of Suffolk so appealing is that you get that lovely quieter pace of village life, surrounded by countryside and water, while still being within reach of Ipswich for the larger shops, amenities and transport connections.

The Stables is a house that offers a little bit of everything.

You've got the history and character, a really good amount of living space, four generously sized bedrooms, a beautiful garden and, of course, that fantastic barn which gives the property something genuinely different.

For a growing family, someone looking for a bit more space or anyone who loves the idea of living on the peninsula with plenty of room to entertain, I think this is a really lovely home that's well worth coming to have a look around