Aussie Earl hopes for new dynsaty

THE Aussie Earl of Stradbroke is hoping that another dynasty will be able to devote the time and energy needed to run his north Suffolk estate.

Lord Stradbroke, who insists on being called Keith Rous, has put the historic Henham Estate, between Halesworth and Southwold, on the market with an asking price of about £12 million.

Estate agents Knight Frank of London, said the sale represents the largest area of land to come on the market in England for more than a decade.

The Earl's 19-year-old son Henham Rous, named after the estate, said although it was sad in some ways that the Rous family would be leaving Henham there was a positive side to the sale.

"It has always been difficult for my father to devote as much time to the estate as he would like.

"Our family home is in Australia now and I prefer to think that giving another dynasty the opportunity to come and live at Henham and run the estate is a positive change," he said.

For the past few months Henham has been looking after the estate for his father and living in north Suffolk.

"I can honestly say that the time I have spent living and working in Suffolk is the most interesting and enjoyable of my life," he said.

Henham hoped that his father, who recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of inheriting the title, would still be able to make a planned visit to Suffolk in September next year.

"Hopefully by then everything will be sorted out but at the moment I know Dad is still looking forward to coming back to Henham," he said.

The sixth Earl, who has 15 children, emigrated to Australia in 1957 and lives at Mt Fyans near Darlington in Victoria.

After 20 years of ownership he has decided that the future of the estate should be placed in the hands of someone with the time and energy needed to manage an estate of this nature.

The property extends to about 4,219 acres, including 872 acres of sporting rights, and represents the largest area of land to come on the market in England for more than ten years.

Henham Estate is set around approximately 800 acres of stunning Grade II Listed parkland designed by Humphry Repton in the late 18th century.

Outline planning consent exists for a magnificent new Henham Hall as the original was lost in a fire in 1773 and the second hall, designed by James Wyatt, was demolished in the 1950s.

One of the reasons Lord Stradbroke says he has put the estate up for sale is that he does not want his children to get involved in "family squabbles" over Henham that have dogged the Rous family for previous generations.

The estate includes a Grade II Listed coach house, two secondary houses, a farmhouse and 10 further cottages, the majority of which are let on Assured Shorthold Tenancies providing a substantial income.

The agricultural land, including arable and pastureland, is farmed under farm business and agricultural tenancies.

There are modern and traditional farm buildings on the estate providing numerous development opportunities with planning consents for four conversions.

In addition to the freehold property, the Stradbroke Archives, currently held at Suffolk Records Office, are also for sale.

These comprise of a range of documents providing important information regarding the estate's history and the development of Henham Park including the Repton Red Book and an impressive series of drawings by James Wyatt.

Clive Hopkins of Knight Frank, said: "It is an end of an era for Lord Stradbroke and his family. However, it is potentially an exciting and unique beginning for another family to continue life at Henham and recreate the family house that once stood in the wonderful Repton Park, roll on the next 500 years."

The Henham Estate is being offered for as a whole with a guide price in excess of £12 million or up to 27 individual lots.

The Stradbroke Archives are available by separate negotiation.