Historic finds uncovered at restoration!

A two year restoration of High Ash Farm, a derelict 16th Century farmhouse in Peasenhall near Saxmundham, Suffolk has just been completed, with some exciting historic finds un-covered. 
Alex Tarry, Director at Suffolk’s fastest growing holiday lettings agency Best of Suffolk, first saw the property back in 2012, when the farmhouse and nearby outbuilding came on the market for sale in a very poor state of repair.  Structural problems meant that most potential buyers were minded to knock it down and apply for planning permission to build something new.
Alex was determined to find a way to save the property’s history and immense character and so bought it with ambitious plans to restore it.Over the past two years Alex has painstakingly restored the farmhouse and outbuilding, with some exciting finds along the way.Alex Tarry said: “It was a voyage of discovery when we started work on the house.  The first thing we did was try to understand what it had looked like when it was originally build back in the 1500s.  Since that time fireplaces had been blocked up, partition walls put in and all manner of other things.  When we removed some of the more modern changes we were extremely excited to find original inglenook fireplaces still in place and even a hidden room that we hadn’t known existed.”
The conservation of the farmhouse revealed an original oak timber frame, period brickwork, including an exciting array of early 16th century medieval ritual markings on the inglenook fire places bressumer – intended to ward off evil spirits!The transformation of the farmhouse and outbuilding is stunning.  The outbuilding has been converted into a contemporary stylish holiday bolt-hole for two with a curved glass wall and minimal Danish furniture.  The farmhouse has been split into two one-bedroom properties, each full of original period character.Alex added: “Suffolk was once full of farmhouses and outbuildings like this one, but over time farms have been combined into bigger units with less need for the houses that once accompanied them. The history of these humble East Suffolk farms and their owners looked likely to be lost and I was passionate about saving this one.  They will be available to let for holidays and weekend breaks, allowing many people to experience the wonderful unique building heritage that we have here in East Suffolk.”Alex has previously won awards for the historic restorations of two houses in Aldeburgh, Tiger Villa and The Vintage House.

Alex and Naomi Tarry founded Best of Suffolk, in 2006 on a mission to bring the standards of boutique hotels to self-catering accommodation, and they have successfully grown that award-winning business year on year to over 260 holiday properties.  The High Ash Farm properties, now known as The Seed Store, The Cottage and The Cross Wing are now available for let.   They come complete with fully equipped bespoke kitchens, WIFI, handmade beds with top quality mattress, modern showers and separate roll top baths – meaning that fans of the 21st century will feel right at home within these beautifully restored properties.All three properties now taking bookings and have already received a great deal of interest from holidaymakers searching for a peaceful countryside break in Suffolk

Before and after photos below: 
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE 
AFTER