Ballingdon Hall, is a Grade II Star listed Elizabethan house.
The property is believed to date from 1593. Built by Sir Thomas Eden's family, it is a large Manor House with wonderful proportions, fantastic ceiling heights, large windows, and great entertaining space. Spanning over three storeys and constructed of a timber frame and plastered under a peg tiled roof there are many original features that have been meticulously maintained. The front has gables projecting out on brackets, four 2-story bay windows and a mullion transom, the windows are mostly leaded, exposed timbers, hardwood flooring and large 'Inglenook' fireplaces.
The ground floor, with its impressive ‘Grand Hall’, is ideal for family gatherings or formal dining. 'The snug room’, leading off from the Grand Hall is ideal for quiet evenings and leads through to an impressive and spacious drawing room which boasts extensive wood panelling and bay window seats. All three rooms have exposed timber beams, beautifully maintained with the large windows providing a light bright aspect.
Another room which is used regularly is the Orangery, accessed off the Grand Hall, with under floor heating and is perfect for early dinner drinks. Typically, with large houses the kitchen becomes the focal point, and this family area is of ample size, with a large breakfast table and chairs positioned along the east wing, and next to French doors that lead out to a patio garden. The central working island sits upon a herringbone style tiled floor, surrounded by base and wall mounted units. The worktops are tiled and marble. The utility room also benefits from base and wall mounted units, an additional oven and further doors leading out to the rear courtyard garden.
On the first floor, the Mast Bedroom, with en-suit and walk-in cupboard for storage, is located to the east wing, and there are five further bedrooms and three bath/shower rooms and a WC.
The second floor has five bedrooms and two bathrooms and there is scope to add an additional shower room off one of the bedrooms, subject to consent. A generous airing cupboard can also be found on this floor which is essential for this size of house.
The flat / office / annexe is situated to the south of one of the two double garages and this accommodation consists of an open plan ground floor kitchen / reception room with a further office / reception room on the first floor, three bedrooms and a bathroom.
OUTSIDE:
The property is approached by a sweeping gravel drive lined with trees and is set well back from Ballingdon Hill. The gardens are mainly laid to lawn with undulating grass walkways, tree lined avenues and dells, and pretty ponds and natural springs. The owners distil their own drinking water. There are over 1,000 trees on site, including Apple, Plum, Cherry, Pear, Ornamental Cherry, and Willow.
Ballingdon Hall grounds have an abundance of wildlife visitors from Roe, Fallow & Chinese Water Deer, a pair of Orinoco Geese, Moorhens, Kestrels, Woodpeckers, Hawks and Buzzards, to name but a few. The ponds are frequented with Rudd, Dragonfly Blue Emperor, Damselflies, and Hummingbirds. The estate also has four beehives that can yield over 35kgs per annum. There is also a kitchen garden.
The plot is surrounded by a comprehensive boundary of woodland and provides the estate with a high degree of privacy and seclusion.
Totalling 21 acres, the estate has the potential for leisure expansion, subject to the necessary planning consents.
LOCATION:
Ballingdon Hall is a beautiful Elizabethan mansion, nestled on a hillside just outside the Suffolk town of Sudbury with unbroken views across the Stour Valley. A few moments’ drive north, is the market town of Sudbury which sits on the river Stour, forming part of the Stour Valley which leads through to the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The area is known widely for its countryside, rivers, unspoilt villages, hamlets, and towns and is one of the prettiest parts of the Suffolk/Essex boarder. Sudbury has a branch line rail services to London Liverpool Street via Marks Tey. The A12, Colchester and Braintree are about 14 -16 miles to the south. and have an extensive range of facilities and a direct mainline rail service to London Liverpool Street.
The area has sporting and leisure opportunities, including several golf courses, water activities on the river and many excellent areas for walking, riding and bird watching. There are several schools in the area, private, state and grammar.