A former rectory has come up for sale in Great Waldingfield, Sudbury, for £3m - and according to selling agents David Burr it's considered one of the "finest" in the county.
Architecturally the Grade II listed building comprises a mainly Georgian façade, which dates back to the 18th century, with a timber-framed medieval building underneath. A house is believed to have existed on the same site as far back as pagan times, when the natural spring, which now comes up in the cellar, was considered sacred.
In 1563, the Rector John Hopkins lived in the building, where he produced the Book of Psalms, said to be the third best-selling book of all time.
During the Second World War, the property became a base for the Home Guard, who installed a bell on the roof in case of emergencies.
Since then, the building has been meticulously cared for. The current owners have run it as a successful, award-winning bed and breakfast for some of the year and used it as their family home for the remainder.
It has also been a member of Historic Houses, an association promoting stays within private properties otherwise unknown to the public.
Inside, accommodation is arranged over four storeys, including a cellar at the bottom and a staff apartment on the top floor, which may even lend itself to multi-generational living.
Highlights include the impressive reception hall, which features a 10 ft ceiling, open fireplace and original heating grates which date back to the Victorian era - which, according to a spokesperson for David Burr, are considered “extremely rare” - and a large drawing room located in the oldest part of the house.
The dining room offers enough space for a 14-seater table and offers beautiful views over the gardens thanks to two sets of sash windows, which both feature original shutters.
The library, now used as a study, was remodelled in 1866 and features panelling and reredos – an ornamental screen typically placed behind a church altar – which was taken from St Michael’s of Cornhill in London, a church originally designed by Sir Christopher Wren.
The reredos was later restored by the architect Sir Gilbert Scott and the room also features painted panels of the Ten Commandments by Robert Streater, who was the ‘sergeant painter’ to King Charles II.
Elsewhere, the kitchen/breakfast room is of a good size and contains a matching range of wooden base and wall units with work surfaces over the top, as well as a five-ring gas hob, double oven, integrated microwave and plumbing for a dishwasher.
It’s also a sociable space thanks to its open fireplace and fitted benches and pretty views of the gardens can be enjoyed through its sash windows. There is also a utility and boot room.
Upstairs, the principal suite has its own bathroom, as do three other bedrooms, and there is a further twin room too.
The second floor has been converted into a self-contained apartment, which is ideal for guests or staff, and includes a sitting room/bedroom, kitchen and bathroom.
The surrounding grounds extend to around 2.65 acres and have been beautifully kept, with the main house accessed by a long, tree-lined driveway. They include areas of lawn and specimen trees as well as a heated swimming pool and tennis court.
The converted coach house provides an additional four bedrooms – which could offer further income potential - and there is also a triple garage.
For more information, contact David Burr.
PROPERTY FACTS
Great Waldingfield, Sudbury
Guide price: £3,000,000
David Burr, 01787 322344
www.davidburr.co.uk
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