Lavenham Hall, Lavenham, Suffolk

THE HISTORY Lavenham Hall was built in the mid 1400's and it is thought the front elevation is part of the original building. The ruins of the earlier, 12th Century Hall are included in part of the garden next to the lake. Some of the old walls can still be seen as well as the footprint of the building. The Hall was at one time a hunting lodge used by the Earl of Oxford and it is thought Henry VII stayed here when visiting his subjects in Suffolk. The core of the building is timber framed with a crown post roof and altered to its current form in Victorian times. The house at the time was owned by William Biddell and it was he that added the wooden square window and panelling within the dining room. The square window was salvaged from HMS Old Foudroyant, one of Nelson's flagships and most notably, one in his service when he was in Naples - the time he started his scandalous affair with Lady Hamilton!

THE ACCOMMODATION The house was sympathetically extended and altered during the Victorian era and as such the accommodation is light, elegant and versatile. The impressive entrance hall has a 17ft high ceiling with a minstrels landing above. The drawing room enjoys views over the grounds and lake in one direction and the tower of St Peter & Pauls church in the other. Large double doors open to a south facing terrace. The wood panelled dining room is particularly impressive, very atmospheric and steeped in history, the snug is exactly as it suggests, a great day/tv room complete with log burner. The study offers the versatility to be playroom, family room etc. and is thought to have been the 'pay office' from a time when Lavenham Hall was a 600 acre farm. The kitchen is finished with handmade units, granite worktops and a brick floor runs throughout. The 1st and 2nd floors offer a variety of bedroom suites and stunning views over the grounds (it is thought the plumbing is in place to put a bathroom on the 2nd floor if required).

THE GROUNDS AND OUTBUILDINGS Although located near the centre of the village, Lavenham Hall enjoys a parkland like setting as if amidst rural countryside. The long tree lined main drive opens to an extensive area of parking and in turn to a former stable block that has now been divided to provide garage/workshop/storage space. The grounds are exceptional with well-placed terracing, sweeping lawns, a meadow, specimen trees and an outstanding lake. To the rear of the house is a 2nd drive that opens to a large gravelled yard which in turn provides further parking and access to the outbuildings. The extensive range of outbuildings vary in size with workshop/storage spaces, areas well suited to classic cars/a small boat and in particular the studio building that has been the creative space for the current owner, who is a sculptor of renown.

THE VILLAGE - A BRIEF HISTORY The manor of Lavenham pre dates the Norman conquest and has long been recorded as a place of national importance. In 1086 the estate was in the possession of Aubrey de Vere I, an ancestor of the Earls of Oxford. The de Vere family continued to hold the estate until 1604, when it was sold to Sir Thomas Skinner, a former Mayor of London and most tellingly a master of the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers. It was during the 15th and 16th centuries when Lavenham prospered as a result of the wool trade. Lavenham was so successful it was among some of the richest places in England, paying considerably more tax than larger towns like York & Lincoln. However, as imports of cheaper, more fashionable fabrics from Europe expanded across the country so did the decline of Lavenham, a happy by-product being that later generations were not so wealthy as to be able to modernise the timber framed buildings, thus preserving them for the current generation. The 2nd World War brought an influx of American Airforce personnel as part of the US Airforce 487 Bombardment Group, evidence of their stay is still very much preserved within the Swan Hotel, with memorabilia and some 233 signatures on the walls left by the brave men and women stationed in the village at this time. In more recent years the village has provided the backdrop/setting for numerous television programmes and films, including, most recently, Harry Potter.

THE VILLAGE - AMENITIES The village is home to a wide range of public houses, restaurants, cafes and tearooms. There are supermarkets, an award-winning butcher, bakery and a number of sellers of artisan foods. The wide range of individual boutique shops include jewellery, fashion, art, interiors, furniture etc. Health services include a doctors surgery, dental practice, Osteopath and Physio Therapy clinic among others. The Village Hall is better described as an events centre with theatre performances, private functions, exercise classes, etc. The village primary school is very well supported and there are a number of private schools within 20 minutes of Lavenham - Culford, Old Buckenham, Great Finborough, etc.

SERVICES: Main water, electricity and gas are connected. Private drainage (Klargester). None of the services have been tested by the agent.

LOCAL AUTHORITY: Babergh District Council: 01284 763233. Council Tax Band: Band G - £3,599.17 - 2024/25.

BROADBAND SPEED: Up to 66 Mbps (source Ofcom).

WHAT3WORDS: serenade.found.series

VIEWING: Strictly by prior appointment only through DAVID BURR Long Melford

AGENTS NOTES: There are covenants in place relating to the development of the outbuildings and meadow for separate residential dwellings, insertion of windows in particular elevations, etc. For further information contact the selling agent.

As is not uncommon with former farm buildings it is thought asbestos sheeting has been used in certain areas.

The property is Grade II listed and stands within a conservation area.