One of the most important houses and gardens situated in the heart of Orford. The Great House, built in the early 1800s, is a Grade II listed property. With views of both the castle and the coast, the house is believed to have been built as a shooting lodge for the Sudbourne estate and was restored in 2017. The Great house is now superbly finished throughout. The house retains many of its original features and offers two large and comfortable reception rooms, a Billiard room, a large kitchen with breakfast room and a dining room which seats up to 20 guests. Each of the six bedrooms has access to its own ensuite bathroom.
The elegant formal and informal gardens are an important adjunct to the house and can be enjoyed and accessed from the hall, sitting room and the breakfast room. From the breakfast room. From the breakfast room is a spacious patio area with table and chairs and barbecue which leads out to the surrounding garden (around 1.5 acres) which includes a wonderful old orchard, and an expansive and charmingly planted lawned area with Croquet, Table Tennis or Kubb. Pub: 200 yards, Shop: 200 yards.
Reduced Occupancy: There may be a discount of up to 20% off for 8 or less on certain out of season weeks using the four emperor/twin bedrooms - please call for details.
GROUND FLOOR
Drawing Room: a large open fireplace, three sofas, armchairs, occasional tables and lamps, sound system with a selection of the owners cd's which guests are welcome to use.
Sitting Room: with sofas and armchairs, a large 49” flat screened TV showing Netflix and Freeview, corner cupboard and books and log burning stove. The stereo system also links here from the drawing room so music can be enjoyed throughout. A door leads out to the garden.
Dining Room: includes a table seating up to 15 guests and has sideboards and serving tables. There are tablecloths available as well as a full formal dining set.
Kitchen/Diner: includes dressers, occasional tables and a breakfast table seating 8 - 10. Bi-fold doors lead out to the barbecue terrace and garden beyond. The kitchen includes a 4 oven Blue electric AGA, large LG s/steel fridge freezer with ice maker, Britannia 6 hob gas range cooker, Kitchenaid Nespresso coffee machine (a starter pack of pods are provided), breakfast bar, butler sink, Magimix food processor and ample cooking equipment. There are 2 dishwashers.
Utility Room: with a microwave, 'dog' shower, sink, washing machine and tumble dryer, bottle fridge and further freezer. A small supply of frozen meals are stored in the freezer just in case guests arrive late and hungry.
Billiard Room: full-sized snooker table, desk and chair, board games and card tables, desk with access for guests laptops and a printer. There is also an iPod with iPod dock and guests are welcome to browse the music and enjoy.
FIRST FLOOR
Bedroom 1: Emperor bed, large chest of drawers, chaise longue, arm chairs, wardrobe, dressing table and chair. Ensuite bathroom: with large walk in shower, double ended roll top bath with hand held shower, heated towel rail,wc and shave point. A spacious sitting room with sofas and chaise longue, books, TV and a great selection of children's games and toys.
Bedroom 2: includes an Emperor bed which can be split into two Austrian twins, chest of drawers, arm chair, wardrobe, dressing table and chair. Ensuite Shower Room: with large shower with both rain and hand held shower, wash basin, w.c., heated towel rail and shave point.
Bedroom 3: a king sized sleigh bed, corner wardrobe, table and chair, wash basin. Ensuite Shower Room: large walk in shower with both rain and hand held showers, w.c., heated towel rail and shave point.
Bedroom 4: an Emperor bed, chest of drawers, arm chair, wardrobe, dressing table and chair. Ensuite Shower Room: with large shower with both rain and hand held shower, wash basin, heated towel rail and shave point. The w.c. is located in its own room off the bedroom.
Bedroom 5: has a king sized sleigh bed, corner wardrobe, table and chair. Ensuite bathroom: with roll-top bath with hand held shower, wash basin, w.c., radiator, towel rail and shave point.
Bedroom 6: An antique French Emperor sized bed which can be converted into 2 large single beds, dressing table and chair, large armoire, easy chair. Ensuite Shower Room: with large walk in shower with rain and hand held shower, basin, w.c., heated towel rail and shave point. In the corner of this room is an open staircase leading down to the lobby off the kitchen and breakfast room.
Garden: There is a large lawned garden with croquet overlooked by a large terrace with seating for all the visitors, barbecue, outside table tennis. A gate leads to the orchard where there is a variety of ancient apple and other fruit trees. Here too, an outdoor table tennis table is set on the patio. The owners have built a small self contained lodge in the corner of the garden which shares the main gate into the property for pedestrian access only.
Parking: A drive to the left leads to a parking area with space for at least 6 cars.
Heating: Air source heat pump.
Notes: WiFi, bed linen and towels.
Looking to a greener future in 2021 , the Great House has installed a Zappi EV car charging point
Type V 2 - 22kw 3 ph - untethered. The unit is wall mounted on the LH side of the garage and will require the guest to provide their own power cable connection, which is unique to the model of their car. Cost per car for a long weekend stay £15.00. Cost per car for for a week's stay £25.00. To be advised and the amount added at the time of booking to allow access to the unit during your stay.
Please Note: The property is a family home and is not suitable for parties. No music to be played in the gardens. Private Caterer Dan Smith from Country Cuisine can be arranged upon request by the HO and also the hire of a Power Boat for any guest who may be interested. Please note these are charged in addition to the rental of the property. There is a security deposit of £1,000 payable on this property that will be returned within 1 week of your stay.
Orford is an attractive small town, dominated by the remains of a 12th Century castle keep - you may like to climb to the top to enjoy the panoramic views over the town and marshes. It is also famous for Orford Ness National Nature Reserve and Havergate Island, both a delight for ornithologists and nature lovers. Sailing and boat trips are available on the River Ore, with country walks in Rendlesham Forest. It is only nine miles from the beach at Aldeburgh, with the historic towns of Framlingham and Woodbridge and the world-famous Snape Maltings Concert Hall also within easy reach.