A huge country home has come up for sale in East Bergholt, between Ipswich and Colchester – complete with 14 bedrooms and a chapel within the main house.

East Bergholt Lodge is for sale for £2.5m and described as a “highly impressive” family home, offering a main 14-bedroom house as well as a separate cottage and swimming pool within its 19-acre grounds.

In 1955, the house was awarded Grade II star-listed status by Historic England for its architectural significance and, as a result, it boasts a number of interesting and distinctive features, including its first-floor chapel and huge galleried landing.

East Anglian Daily Times: The entrance hall is impressive, setting the tone for the rest of the houseThe entrance hall is impressive, setting the tone for the rest of the house (Image: Rufus Owen)

East Anglian Daily Times: The reception hall is connected to a galleried landing on the first floor by a grand turning staircaseThe reception hall is connected to a galleried landing on the first floor by a grand turning staircase (Image: Rufus Owen)

Although it has been updated and extended over the years – including the construction of its Gothic porch and Tudor-style chimney stacks, which were carried out in the 20th century – the original core is believed to date from the early 1500s.

A spokesperson for Clarke & Simpson, selling the property, said: “It is understood that this special property has been with the same family for well over 200 years [and] it is anticipated that an incoming buyer will carry out a significant and sympathetic refurbishment programme.

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“The vendors have commissioned a building survey and an asbestos survey [which] can be sent to interested parties, and the building survey can be assigned to the eventual buyer.”

East Anglian Daily Times: The core of the house dates back to the early 1500s and boasts a number of distinctive features including wooden panelling and original fireplacesThe core of the house dates back to the early 1500s and boasts a number of distinctive features including wooden panelling and original fireplaces (Image: Rufus Owen)

East Anglian Daily Times: There are several reception rooms on the ground floorThere are several reception rooms on the ground floor (Image: Rufus Owen)

The main house offers around 10,500 sq ft of living space which is arranged over three storeys.

Several large reception rooms are located on the ground floor, including a morning room, library, drawing and dining rooms, as well as a vast reception hall with a galleried landing above.

There is also a traditional farmhouse-style kitchen with a four-oven Aga, separate scullery, larder and utility space.

East Anglian Daily Times: Among the reception rooms is a formal dining room with an open fireAmong the reception rooms is a formal dining room with an open fire (Image: Rufus Owen)

East Anglian Daily Times: The kitchen is well-fitted with loads of light from its two large sash windowsThe kitchen is well-fitted with loads of light from its two large sash windows (Image: Rufus Owen)

The galleried landing on the first floor is a real highlight of the main house, looking out over the reception hall and featuring an east-facing sash window to the front. Set into an alcove, overlooking the front drive, is also a chapel, which has fitted benches either side.

Doors lead to the principal bedrooms, including two with en suites and the primary, which has three west-facing sash windows looking out over the gardens.

READ MORE: Huge farm near Suffolk coast hits the market for £5m

Former staff quarters are located on the floor above, and are now arranged as bedrooms.

East Anglian Daily Times: The property offers 14 bedrooms in the main house, including the primary bedroom which offers lovely viewsThe property offers 14 bedrooms in the main house, including the primary bedroom which offers lovely views (Image: Rufus Owen)

East Anglian Daily Times: The property is set in over 19 acresThe property is set in over 19 acres (Image: Rufus Owen)

A two-bedroom, two-storey timber-framed cottage sits adjacent to The Lodge and is ideal staff accommodation – in fact, according to Clarke & Simpson, it has been occupied by the housekeeper of The Lodge for the past two decades.

The surrounding grounds extend to around 19.3 acres and include substantial meadows and a large kitchen garden, as well as several west-facing terraces, a croquet lawn, former tennis courts, swimming pool – in need of refurbishment – pond and woodland.

A number of outbuildings – including garages and a barn with former stables – are also included in the sale.

East Anglian Daily Times: The core of the property is said to date back to the early 1500s, though later additions were made in the 18th and 20th centuriesThe core of the property is said to date back to the early 1500s, though later additions were made in the 18th and 20th centuries (Image: Rufus Owen)

A spokesperson for Clarke & Simpson said: “Whilst the property is ideal as a significant family home, it would be a perfect country house hotel, being situated not only in an idyllic location but minutes from the A12.”

For more information, contact Clarke & Simpson.

PROPERTY FACTS
Hughes Road, East Bergholt
Guide price: £2,500,000
Clarke & Simpson, 01728 443978
www.clarkeandsimpson.co.uk