House for sale in Ipswich, Suffolk

Mileage

Woodbridge 4 miles, Ipswich 5 miles (London Liverpool Street from 64 minutes), A12 3 miles, A14 7.4 miles, Stansted International Airport 56 miles, Central London 80 miles

Description

Playford Hall is a magnificent Grade II* Listed country house dating back to the late 16th Century when it was built for Sir Anthony Felton, the High Sherriff of Suffolk in 1597. Originating as an E-plan house, various alterations were made in the early 18th Century before the property was
reduced in size in the middle of the century allowing half the Hall Wing and the West forward projecting Wing to remain. Further improvements were made in the second half of the 19th Century.

The house benefits from beautifully proportioned rooms over four storeys and is constructed of red brick in English Bond with parapet gables, a plain tiled roof and "three mighty chimney breasts" as
described by Nikolaus Pevsner.

The gardens and grounds have all the ingredients of an enchanting moated house in a beautiful setting including attractive walled and terraced gardens, a long drive and wonderful mature parkland.

The property is approached through a striking gated entrance with a pair of semi-detached gate lodges to one side, which are available by separate negotiation. The driveway meanders through the parkland arriving at the parking area to the south side of the house. A beautiful original footbridge then serves as access to the gravel courtyard at the front of the property.

The accommodation is arranged over three floors and measurements can be seen on the floor plans enclosed within the brochure.

Accommodation

Ground Floor - the impressive front door porchway leads into the entrance hall with a cloakroom off and access to the main reception rooms including the drawing room, a beautifully appointed, grand room with excellent proportions and a magnificent fireplace. Also accessed from the hallway, are a set of short stairs leading up to the office with full height fitted cabinets and bookshelves and a door leading through into the adjacent study, a charming, inviting room with double aspect windows looking onto the moat below. The sizeable dining room, with alcove, offers plentiful space for formal entertaining and again enjoys views over the moat and gardens beyond. The main passageway continues along the ground floor and gives access to a utility room with fitted units and sink. The kitchen has a range of fitted wall and floor units, Aga and sitting area to one side. Beyond is the sitting room with fitted cabinets and shelves and currently used as a less formal reception room for everyday purposes. Also accessed from the main passageway are steps leading down to the lower ground floor with four individual cellars and WC.

From the entrance hall, the main staircase rises to the first floor. The master bedroom suite is separate from the remainder of the upstairs accommodation and comprises a spacious bedroom, ensuite bathroom and dressing room. The passage then gives access to two further bathrooms and three further bedrooms with the main guest suite located at the other end of the house comprising a good sized dressing area as well.

From here, stairs lead up to the second floor with four bedrooms, two bathrooms (one with a separate WC) and a children's playroom.

Situation

Playford Hall lies on the edge of the much favoured village of Playford located between Ipswich, Suffolk's county town, and Woodbridge a popular market town of considerable character with an excellent array of specialist independent shops, restaurants, schools, swimming pool, cinema and library as well as a railway station to London Liverpool Street Station. Ipswich has a more comprehensive range of shopping amenities, schools and a mainline railway service to London Liverpool Street Station taking from 64 minutes. The property is conveniently located for the A12 and A14 trunk roads giving access to London and the M25 as well asThe Midlands and the national motorway network. The surrounding area provides the opportunity to participate in major sports
with golf courses atWoodbridge, Aldeburgh, Ipswich, Thorpeness and Melton. Fishing, sailing and other water sports are popular on the nearby Suffolk Heritage Coastline, particularly on the estuaries of the Deben, Alde and Orwell. In addition, Snape Maltings Concert Hall, which is home to the internationally eminent Aldeburgh Festival, is a further attraction of the location.

Directions

From London, take the A12 until meeting the A14 roundabout outside Ipswich. At this roundabout, turn right onto the A14 and proceed East. Stay on the A14, crossing over the Orwell Bridge, and
at junction 58 exit left signposted to Lowestoft/Woodbridge to join the A12 heading North. Continue on the dual carriageway and on reaching the fourth roundabout, at the traffic lights, turn left signposted A1214 to Ipswich.After approximately a quarter of a mile, take the first turning on the right in to Hall Road signposted 'Bealings'. At the first crossroads, turn left onto Playford Road and after approximately one mile take the first turning to the right, signposted 'Playford'. The gates to
Playford Hall are on the left hand side beside a red brick lodge approximately 200 yards past the
30 mph and village sign for 'Playford'.