Cotton, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14

An extraordinary, uniquely situated, historical and beautiful Grade II listed moated manor, once owned by a Tudor Queen with the added benefit of a range of outbuildings to include party barn, games room and swimming pool.

Situated in picturesque gardens and grounds of approximately 10 acres, idyllically set in a private, countryside location.

Entrance hall, drawing room, dining room/snug, study, Aga kitchen/breakfast room, seating area, rear hall & cloakroom.

First floor galleried landing, master bedroom with en-suite, two further bedrooms, one en-suite and a family bath/shower room. Two second floor bedrooms and a family bathroom.

Coach house annexe with bedroom/sitting room, bathroom & kitchen.

Party barn with hall, kitchen, function/dining room & cloakroom. Games room, swimming pool, garage, range of outbuildings, barn, stables, workshop & office.

Driveway with parking, moated gardens and grounds with mediterranean garden, meadow, paddock, vegetable garden and wooded area.

In all about 10 acres (sts).

THE PROPERTY
Hempnalls Hall is an idyllically situated historical Manor House surrounded by a 12th century moat with a comprehensive and wonderful history (please see historical note). The property is believed to date back to the late 16th Century facing an earlier wing on the western boundary. The property presents a significant heavy timber frame with colour washed, rendered elevations under a tiled roof, has elegant high ceilings throughout and the accommodation extends to around 3500 sq ft arranged over three floors. Of note is the wonderful drawing room, which has a double aspect and features a fabulous fireplace housing a wood burning stove and a panelled wall. The fantastic AGA kitchen/breakfast room has a range of bespoke, handmade wall and base units, granite work surfaces and has a twin aspect. The ground floor accommodation also comprises hall, study, dining room/snug, rear hall and cloakroom. From the elegant staircase access is given to a wonderful landing area with a fireplace, wall panelling and elm floorboards.

The first-floor accommodation comprises principal bedroom with en-suite bathroom, two further bedrooms, one with an en-suite and a separate bathroom. From the landing a staircase leads up to a second floor, where access is given to two further bedrooms and a bathroom.

OUTSIDE
Hempnalls Hall is approached through a pair of brick piers and brick & flint walling over a gravel driveway flanked by the moat to one side. The drive continues to the side of the house, giving ample parking for several cars. From here access is given to the coach house annexe, workshop, boiler room, garden store, outside privy and wonderful topiary garden. There is also a terrace area ideal for alfresco dining and entertaining.

On the other side of the drive is a party barn, mediterranean garden, swimming pool, office and games room, alongside various outbuildings, including a barn and there is a walled vegetable garden.

The gardens and grounds are a tremendous feature at Hempnalls Hall and include woodland, fields/paddocks with a field shelter, wildflower meadow and a moat, which has a striking 16th century bridge over to the rear. There are a variety of herbaceous borders, which come into flower to provide a picturesque backdrop during the spring and summer months. In all the gardens & grounds extend to about 10 acres (sts).

LOCATION
Hempnalls Hall is situated in a beautiful and tranquil setting at the end of a long private drive on the outskirts of the village of Cotton. Cotton is a pretty Suffolk village steeped in history and boasts a popular village inn and a beautiful parish church. The village enjoys close links with Bacton, which has a post office & village store, health centre, public house & restaurant, garage and well reputed primary school. It is well placed for access to Stowmarket (7 miles), which offers a good range of everyday facilities and the mainline railway station offers a regular service to London Liverpool Street taking approximately 80 minutes. The village is also conveniently located for easy access to the A14.

More comprehensive facilities are available in the historic cathedral town of Bury St Edmunds, which offers an excellent range of amenities, extensive shopping facilities and a good range of leisure facilities including health clubs, swimming pools and golf clubs. Cultural amenities include the beautiful Georgian Theatre Royal and The Abbey Gardens.
The international airport at Stansted is about 60 miles away and in addition to air services there is an express train service to London.

Schooling: There are excellent local schools in both the public and private sectors including Finborough School, Old Buckenham Hall, Culford, Ipswich School, Framlingham College and St Joseph’s College.

A WEALTH OF HISTORY
Hempnalls Hall boasts a wealth of history and was originally owned, in medieval times, by the knight Ralph de Hemenhale from where the house gets its name. The house started its life as a medieval fortified manor surrounded by a full moat of the same era. Hemenhale’s son, Robert, married Joan de la Pole and Hempnalls Hall was the birthplace of William de la Pole, first Duke of Suffolk, who financed wars with France, notably Agincourt. William married Chaucer’s granddaughter, Alice, and they had a son called John. John first married Margaret Beaufort (annulled) and then Elizabeth Plantagenet, giving their son Edmund call to the British Throne. Henry VIII gave the house to Charles Brandon his brother in law and then later gave it to Anne of Cleves as part of his divorce settlement. She rented out the house and surrounding farmland. Hempnalls Hall has also been owned by John Fastolf (Shakespeare’s Falstaff) and his cousin John Paston of the Paston Letters, some written at Hempnalls Hall.

DIRECTIONS (IP14 4QU)
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Agents Notes:
A footpath runs down the northern boundary of the drive and across the meadow.

PROPERTY INFORMATION
Address Hempnalls Hall, Willow Lane, Cotton, Suffolk, IP14 4QU
Services Mains water & electricity are connected. Private Klargester drainage system.
Oil-fired central heating.
Council Tax Band G
Broadband Ofcom states speeds available of up to 1800Mbps
Mobile Signal/Coverage Yes - varies depending on network provider. Please visit to check availability
Viewing Only by appointment with the sole agents Jackson-Stops.
Ipswich
Bury St Edmunds

FIXTURES AND FITTINGS
Items regarded as fixtures and fittings, including carpets and curtains, are initially excluded from the sale, although certain items may be available by separate negotiation.