An unique development of new-build homes are being constructed in and around a Victorian walled garden in Suffolk.
Sudbourne Park, near Orford, was a grand country estate in Victorian times and through into the 1920s/30s.
It was famous for its shooting parties, attended by the rich and famous - even royalty, before the Second World War.
In wartime a lot of the Sudbourne Hall estate had military use. The land was used for tank training, and the hall was the Officers’ Mess.
After 1945, the hall itself fell further into disrepair and it was demolished in 1953, leaving various wings and outbuildings, and the enormous red brick walls of the Victorian gardens.
There would have been many greenhouses and glasshouses, also lost over time, which produced melons, peaches and figs for the estate.
Today a collection of 10 new-build homes are being built, designed to reflect the shape and style of the former greenhouses.
The first phase, priced at between £475,000 to £525,000, set against the exterior walls, is rapidly taking shape.
The project is the vision of former High Sheriff of Suffolk, Sir Edward Greenwell.
A launch open day is taking place with Savills on Saturday, August 26, from 11am-2pm.
Max Turner, from Savills, said: “This is an absolutely lovely location.
“Residents will be able to enjoy 15 acres of grounds, including the lake.”
The original red brick walls have been restored and repaired. Inside these new homes are light and airy, with light flooding in from above and via the windows.
Sudbourne Park is approached from the Orford Road, and a long driveway through the estate leads to the remaining buildings, and the new homes scheme.
The new properties are leasehold, with 200 year leases, and will have new home guarantees.
Sudbourne Park is owned by Sir Edward Greenwell who explained that the sale of the new homes would allow money to be spent on restoring the estate.
The lake had already been cleared, he said, and the bridge re-built.
He intends further restoration including an avenue of Wellingtonia leading to the lake.
Sudbourne Park has been owned by Sir Edward’s family since the early 1930s.
He said: “My grandfather bought it but never lived here.
“Afterwards he tried to let the hall. It was too big for one family.
“But there were lots of big houses across the country in a similar position.
“He almost had a school take it over - but it was too far from Wickham Market railway station.”
As it fell more into disrepair it was eventually demolished - carefully dismantled - and all the materials sold by auction.
“There was a shortage of building materials after the war,” he added.
Other estate buildings have been restored and are in use, as homes or light industry.
The Bothy Yard workshop is now home to a artistic printmakers workshop.
“it is already a community and these new homes wil help it grow further,” he added. “I am really pleased to be honest. It has been a long process to get where we are today.”
In Victorian times, Sir Richard Wallace hosted grand parties and shoots in the Great Wood at Sudbourne Hall Estate.
Then Sir Kenneth Mackenzie Clark, who acquired it in 1909, hosted lavish shooting parties of his own.
More details of these homes are available Savills on 01473 234800.
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