Location

Woodbridge is a thriving and highly regarded market town in East Suffolk - considered by The Times as one of the best places to live in the United Kingdom. Situated on the River Deben, there are a number of scenic walks, a harbour and a rare working tide mills, which traces its roots to the 11th century.

For many centuries, Woodbridge has been a prosperous and fashionable town and it benefits from beautiful architecture, chiefly from the Tudor, Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods; today, there is an incredible array of amenities, including independent shops, cafés, public houses and restaurants.

Within the village of Bromeswell (3 miles), to the east of Woodbridge, is the acclaimed Unruly Pig, considered one of the top gastropubs in the country.

Neighbouring Sutton Hoo (3 miles) is home to Britain's most important archaeological site, the Anglo Saxon burial ground of King Rædwald, the most powerful leader in seventh century England.

Orford (12 miles) is an especially delightful village: formerly a fishing port dominated by the 12th century castle and more recently an important location in the development of RADAR, the village today is particularly known for the award-winning Pump Street bakery and the Butley Orford Oysterage.

Aldeburgh (16 miles), the popular coastal town closely associated with Benjamin Britten, is famed for its fish and chips and the celebrated 'Scallop' sculpture by Maggi Hambling. There are excellent galleries and boutiques and a superb restaurant scene including critically acclaimed 'The Suffolk'.

Ipswich (9 miles) is the county town of Suffolk and provides a wide selection of independent and high street shops; and a variety of theatres, galleries, and museums.

Doric Lodge t is well placed for the commuter with easy access to the A12 and railway stations in Woodbridge and Ipswich providing regular trains to London Liverpool Street: Woodbridge via Ipswich from 92 minutes; Ipswich direct from 68 minutes.

Sporting facilities are fantastic: Woodbridge has superb sailing and rowing clubs as well as popular rugby, tennis and golf clubs. Deben Leisure Centre has a 25 metre pool and gym. Further afield, there are golf and sailing clubs at Aldeburgh and Thorpeness, and clay pigeon shooting at Darsham.

Schools in the area are excellent. St Mary's, Woodbridge Primary and Farlingaye are all popular state schools; renowned local independent schools include Woodbridge School, Framlingham College and Ipswich school.

All times and distances are approximate.

Description

Nestled amongst historical houses in the heart of the riverside town of Woodbridge, Doric Lodge is an enchanting period townhouse with a terrace garden and parking.

Believed to date from the early 17th century and formerly two cottages, Doric Lodge was modernised in the early 19th century and is now principally Georgian, retaining many attributes of the period including sash windows and high ceilinged rooms.

For a period from 1827 until 1923, the building was used as a Masonic lodge - hence its name - and is Grade II listed for special architectural and historic interest. Today, the house perfectly balances its historic roots and charm with comfortable contemporary living.

The accommodation flows well and comprises elegantly proportioned rooms. The double aspect sitting room is particularly special, with wide wooden floor boards, a handsome marble chimneypiece, with an inset wood-burning stove, and a glazed door to the courtyard garden.

The wide floorboards flow through to the panelled dining room, which has a fine wooden chimneypiece and leads through to the kitchen.

The principal bedroom has fine views over the historic roofscape and towards the River Deben, Tide Mill and Sutton Hoo. It also has a generous en suite shower room and wardrobe. There are two further double bedrooms, and a games room and an office that have both been used as bedrooms. Completing the first floor is the family bathroom and a shower room.

Just off the sitting room, Doric Lodge has an attractive courtyard garden, ideal for al fresco dining, with brick paving and a low level wall.

Rare for such a central Woodbridge location, Doric Lodge has an enclosed parking area for numerous cars and a detached garage.

Directions

There is easy pedestrian access from the Thoroughfare, next to Burrows & Sunaway optician; Doric Lodge is to the left of Doric Place. By car, please turn into Crown Place from Quayside; the car park is straight ahead at the top of that lane.