7 bedroom house

LOCATION Hartest is widely regarded as one of Suffolk's most picturesque villages, characterised by pretty period houses surrounding the Village Green. Amenities include an excellent 'pub and butchers, Saxon church, primary school and to one side the reputed 'steepest hill' in Suffolk. Stowe Hill stands about a mile North of the centre and enjoys distant southern views across deep rolling countryside. Often referred to as 'the last gasp of the Chilterns' it's a distinctly un-Suffolk like landscape.

Bury St Edmunds and the A14 lie about 9 miles north and Stansted airport can be reached in under an hour. A commuter rail service to Liverpool Street is available from Sudbury, about 10 miles.
 

HISTORY Stowe Hill was built in 1792 (George III) following the marriage of James Harrington to Harriet Plampin. Harriet was one of John Plampin's 3 daughters. John was the first master of Chadacre Hall and Gainsborough's portrait of him hangs in the National Gallery. Harriet inherited her Aunt's estate at Stowe Hill, Lichfield - hence the name! Her husband, James was a surgeon and officer in Nelson's fleet, eventually serving with Admiral Plampin, Harriet's brother.

A Grade II listed building, the original house has been much altered and extended over the years. In the 19th Century it was altered and extended to reflect the contemporary Victorian style with echoes of Strawberry Hill Gothic. By the 1950's it was owned by Geoffrey Clarke RA and later by his son Jonathon, both celebrated sculptors. One of Geoffrey's studios was on the first floor at the rear of the house, where a vast north facing glass window now forms part of a bedroom suite. Among the Clarke's influences is a 12ft. plaster wall tableau in the rear hall.  

THE PROPERTY The house is a mixture of brick and timber frame under both slate and peg tiled roofs. It has been extensively refurbished and renovated over the last eleven years, including a new roof, wiring, oil fired heating and plumbing. Modern installations include large areas of underfloor heating, extensive insulation and Cat 4. Wiring to several rooms.

Particularly notable are the wide and deep sash windows and most of the principal rooms and bedrooms have the original shutters. Ceiling heights in the reception rooms range from 9'8" to 11'9". There are polished wooden and Lincolnshire limestone floors in the principal areas with brick and pamment tiles elsewhere.

The Coach House, a 2 bedroomed detached annexe was comprehensively remodelled and renovated at the same time as the house and is attached to the barn and 2 garages.

There are some 4.5 acres of formal gardens including 2 significant walled gardens; one with 42ft. swimming pool, terraces and associated areas, the second a large kitchen garden with recently constructed 'Hartley Botanic' conservatory/greenhouse. In addition, and surrounding to 3 sides are over 25 acres of formal parkland and pasture, comprising 4 paddocks.
 

THE HOUSE  

GLAZED VERANDA: 47´6" long with fine south facing views, wisteria and rose clad cast iron columns. Steps up to:
 

PRINCIPAL ENTRANCE AND STAIRCASE HALL: (SOUTH) 24´6" X 9´3" with notable twin arched screen. Elegant 4'3" wide staircase.
 

DRAWING ROOM: (SOUTH) 18´ X 15´6" Limestone Chimney piece and woodstove. Hidden door to living room. Fine tall twin doors to: 

DINING ROOM: (SOUTH) 22´ X 17´ Lofty ceiling and elegant cornice. Built in cupboard. Door to side entrance and caterer's kitchen. 

SITTING ROOM: (SOUTH) 19´2" X 18´10" Extensive fitted book-shelving and cupboards.Fine timber chimney piece and woodstove. Twin door and steps to Kitchen. Hidden door to Study. 

LIVING ROOM: (WEST) 15´10" X 15´3" Wide chimney piece, woodstove 

OFFICE: (WEST) 11´6 X 7´9" Fitted desks, book shelving.
 

STUDY: (EAST) 11´9" X 8´2"  

AGA KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM: (SOUTH) 27´8" X 17´8" Formerly the billiard room. Electric 3 oven AGA, Hand-made units with 5'2"x 8'2" island unit in the style of Mondrian. Twin built -in refrigerators, freezer, induction hob, oven, dishwasher. Secondary sink. Island unit Vaulted ceiling. Limestone floor. Door to front glazed veranda. 

INNER HALLWAY: Large walk-in storage cupboard. Door to cellar. 

GUEST CLOAKROOM: WC and wash hand basin 

BOOT ROOM 14´10" X 12´5" Oil fired boiler. Sink unit. 

REAR HALLWAY Built in cupboards. Geoffrey Clarke wall tableau. 

UTILITY ROOM: Fitted units. Sink. Plumbing for appliances. 

SECONDARY CLOAK ROOM: Shower, WC and wash hand basin. 

CATERER´S KITCHEN: 11´7" X 9´10" Fitted units, granite work surfaces, range cooker etc. Notable Geoffrey Clarke etched window.
 

CELLARS. 18´8" X 16´6" Dry and with original wine bins. 

FIRST FLOOR  

LANDING: SOUTH 47´2" X 13´3" (MAX).  

PRINCIPAL BEDROOM SUITE: 19´4" X 17´3" East and south. Secret door to:
Dressing Room. 15'2" x 8'2" (min) East Fitted wardrobe furniture.
Ensuite bathroom (1) wash hand basin, WC, bidet, shower, extensive marble tiling
and:-
Ensuite (2) wash hand basin, WC, bidet, inset bath and separate shower. extensive wall
and floor tiling
 

GUEST SUITE: 23´ X 14´7" (MIN) (EAST AND NORTH) With vast floor to ceiling window. Lobby with hanging space.

Ensuite: WC, wash hand basin and shower. Extensive tiling.
 

BEDROOM 3: 15´7" X 14´10" (SOUTH) Fitted wardrobes.
Ensuite: WC & wash hand basin. 

BEDROOM 4: 15´7 X 14´10" (WEST) Fitted wardrobes and window seat 

SIDE LANDING: Rear staircase. Linen cupboard. Further staircases to second floor. 

BEDROOM 5: 14´6" X 10´11" (WEST)  

BATHROOM: Freestanding roll top bath, WC, bidet and wash hand basin. 

KITCHENETTE: With sink unit, cupboards etc. 

SECOND FLOOR Approached by two separate staircases. Note. this floor could form a self-contained staff flat if required 

BEDROOM 6: 21´9" X 10´3" (INTO EAVES) (WEST)  

BEDROOM: 7: 14´8" X 10´11" (INTO EAVES) (EAST  

LANDING: TWO STORE ROOMS AND ATTIC SPACE OFF.  

BATHROOM Bath, basin & WC. 

THE COACH HOUSE  

RECEPTION HALL: 10´7" X 8´10" Pamment tiled floor 

CLOAKS/SHOWER ROOM: Shower, WC and wash basin. 

RECEPTION ROOM: 20´9" X 14´6" with staircase off. Lofty ceilings. 

KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM: 16´8" X 9´4" Range of fitted units incorporating a built-in refrigerator, over, hob, dishwasher and fittings. Pamment tiled floor. 

UTILITY ROOM: Plumbing for washing machine etc. rear entrance. 

FIRST FLOOR  

LANDING: Airing cupboard 

BEDROOM 1: 14´7"X 11´6" with twin built in wardrobes. Dual aspect far reaching views over the surrounding countryside. 

BEDROOM 2: 14´7" X 10´3"  

SHOWER ROOM: Fully tiled with shower, WC and wash hand basin. 

THE FORMAL GARDENS & GROUNDS  

The house is mainly hidden from the road by a dense belt of yew, holm oak, chestnut
and other mature trees. Twin gravel drives give access to the circular carriage drive to
the front of the house, whilst to the rear a mainly walled gravel surfaced yard provides
parking for several vehicles and access to the garages and Coach House 

To the front of the house are expansive areas of lawn, a large carp pond and wild
flower meadow beyond. The fine views are framed by mature lime and chestnut trees
with estate fencing to the parkland beyond. To the east an extensive area of box topiary,
yew, Gingko other specimens lead through to a formal gravel pathway and borders.
Ito the north and rear of the house are two spectacular walled gardens, each enclosed
by mellow red brick and flint walls, the north facing wall being a full 12' high. The
walled swimming pool garden lies immediately to with 12' mellow brick walls and tall
gates ensuring privacy. On two levels, the higher contains a 42' pool enclosed by
extensive paved areas and Italianate style rose garden with magnolias and roses. The
lower area with gravel terrace and further paved seating areas. A range of out buildings
in mellow brick and slate include two large storage sheds, and BBQ room and game
larder. The second walled kitchen garden contains the greenhouse 18 x 9'6" min by
Hartley Botanic in period style. There are several oak framed raised beds, a vegetable
garden, extensive gravel paths, two significant arched fruit cages along with lawn, fruit
trees etc.An orchard garden with apple, plum and pear lies to the north of the coach house
and barn and has a separate vehicular entrance.

In total the formal gardens extend to about 4.5 acres. 

OUTBUILDINGS  

GARAGE: 1. 13´8" X 18´10"  

GARAGE: 2. 24´6" X 15´3" inspection pit and door to;- 

BARN: 40 X 17´6". Wide sliding door into Coach House yard. Industrial gantry with swing arm. 

THE PARK AND FARMLAND These surrounding areas combine the former parkland and meadows and are divided into four distinct enclosures, each fully enclosed by cattle and sheep proof fencing, and each served by a main water supply. Surrounded by grass and hedgerow rides providing vehicular access if required, the land has the benefit of three rights of way (for agricultural purposes).
 

Several specimen trees have been planted, with stock proof guards. Two small fenced spinneys are established containing some 180 trees, whilst some 1.5 kms of hedging has been established.  

IN ALL ABOUT 30 ACRES.  

SERVICES The main house is served by oil fired heating to all principal rooms. Extensive underfloor heating in the ground floor. Additional electric underfloor heating to the principal bedrooms two en-suite bathrooms. Electric heating to the second floor. Main water. Private drainage to Balmoral hydro clear system.The Coach Hose has electric underfloor heating to the kitchen, bathrooms and reception hall. Electric panel radiators elsewhere

Marketed by: David Burr Estate Agents, Long Melford