Property description
Diss 14.1 miles
Harleston 4.8 miles
Halesworth 7.9 miles
A truly exceptional period farmhouse concealed behind a stunning Georgian façade with a fascinating history and brimming with character and historical charm. This extensive property offers incredible versatility and scope, with a one-bedroom annexe, barn with planning permission and a former Georgian mill, all encapsulated within grounds of approx. 3.8 acres (stms).
Accommodation comprises:-
Entrance Hall
Drawing Room
Library
Study
Dining Room
Kitchen
Butlers Pantry & Scullery
Five Bedrooms
Two Bathrooms
Attic Rooms
Annex
Barn with Planning Permission
Grounds of Approx 3.8 Acres
Idyllic Countryside Location
The Property
Pushing open the heavy front door and stepping over the impressive threshold brings one into this remarkable property with the Georgian additions sitting to the front, making the most of the southerly aspect. Pamment tiles can be found underfoot with doors leading to the principle rooms and a grand staircase leading to the first floor. The first of the impressive reception rooms is the elegantly proportioned drawing room with full-height sash windows and shutters, stripped floorboards, wood burner, and ornate egg and dart cornicing framing the high ceilings. A butlers pantry is found off the drawing room which provides access into the cellar. Across the entrance hall, one finds the library with an open fireplace providing a charming focal point. Exposed floorboards can also be found, along with fitted bookcases, sash window with shutter, egg and dart cornicing, and fitted cupboard. Leading through the entrance hall and into the heart of the original 16th Century house, one passes a 17th Century staircase across from a charming study, with wood burner and doors into the garden. Stepping down into what would have comprised of the Suffolk long house, one finds the imposing dining room with pamments underfoot, exposed beams, large brick fireplace with wood burning stove, and two windows flooding the room with natural light. Opposite an early Tudor staircase is a door through to the original entrance hall where one finds the cloakroom comprising of Thomas Crapper & Co basin as well as a Fitzhigham toilet commissioned for the current owner by the prestigious company. A Victorian extension provides a vaulted kitchen with original bread oven and copper set into an exposed brick fireplace which also houses the blue enameled Rayburn. A pale green kitchen is complimented by solid oak worktops and feature an integrated fridge, dishwasher and porcelain butler sink. Off the kitchen is a large scullery which had a prior use as a dairy and enjoys ample space for white goods and larder items. Climbing the grand Georgian staircase brings one to the spacious landing leading off to the five bedrooms and two bathrooms. Three well-proportioned bedrooms sit to the front of the property and enjoy views across Metfield common which is partially owned by the current owner. A family bathroom is also found to the front with the second bathroom found in the older part of the property and thus enjoys exposed timbers framing the vaulted ceiling. This bathroom has another of the Thomas Crapper & Co Fitzhigham toilets which takes pride of place is this spacious room which also features a claw foot, roll top bath, hand basin and separate shower. A generous double is found opposite with an intricate Victorian grate drawing ones attention and the final bedroom is just beyond with a separate staircase serving it as well as a cloakroom. A further set of stairs leads one up to the charming attic room which enjoys stunning views into the extensive grounds from the triple aspect, and leads through to further attic space leading through to the front.
Outside
An attractive red brick wall encircles the graveled drive and frames the elegant and attractive property. The majority of the grounds are found beyond two charming gates and towards the rear of the property, however, a small amount of Metfield Common also accompanies the house and thus grants one the title of being 'a commoner of Metfield'. This extraordinary property sits in a mature plot which is mainly laid to lawn with a wonderfully established orchard sitting to the right of the property and enjoys two separate accesses which may be of use in any future development. A large pond sits just behind the property with a red brick wall separating it from the patio area, whilst the remnants of a Georgian windmill takes pride of place adding historical charm to the garden. A further pond can be found which sits beside the brick and flint single story barn which has planning permission for a two bedroom conversion. A further paddock which is also laid to lawn can be found which is accessed via a wooden five bar gate. Completing the grounds is a charming brick and flint former weighing house tucked to the side of the property and a detached one bedroom annexe.
Location
Malt Office Farm is found on a quiet country lane opposite Metfield Common which is a short distance from the heart of the village. Metfield is a popular village located within close driving distance of the towns of Halesworth, Diss and Harleston and benefits from a charming community-run village store and tea rooms, whilst the closest pub is the well-renowned Fressingfield Fox & Goose.
A Brief History
Malt Office Farm was once the centre of a thriving 10,000 acre estate and is a truly unique architectural gem. The earliest phase of construction is though to be Tudor with all periods of construction after that in evidence and was a prime example of a timber-framed Suffolk long house. The property was extended with an impressive façade built in the 1700s to a typical Georgian design, with the elegant proportions and large sash windows making the most of the southerly aspect. The Georgian façade was re-appointed in 1854 by George Godbold the patriarch of an old Suffolk farming family. He used the attractive white bricks, popular in the Victorian era, that can be seen today.
Further improvements and additions were made in the Victorian period to include a late Victorian bake house at the rear. Flour used to come from the windmill into the bake house to create the bread for which Metfield became famous. Metfield bread was said to be a favourite of HM the Queen Mother and was said to order it when in residence at Sandringham.
The mill found in the rear garden is a Georgian windmill built in 1809 having been built on the site of an older windmill base by the Godbold family. The Goldbolds had gone into partnership with William and John Chase of the great Suffolk milling family who ran a lot of Mills in Suffolk from the late 1700s. The Malt Office Farm Mill was repaired in 1839 and then again in 1849 and was one of the most important mills in the area at the turn of the last century. It was reduced down to its current height during World War Two to assist the planes taking off on bombing raids. In the late 1960s it again achieved fame as the centre piece of an influential and cutting edge London art exhibition themed around responses to the mill.
This truly enchanting property has been meticulously cared for over the years with a great deal of original features still found within the property. Everything from the servants bell in the hall, to the steps down to the pond where the women of the farm used to sit and do the washing, can still be found and have been sympathetically maintained over the years to preserve the integral fabric and history of this exceptional property.
Fixtures and Fittings
All fixtures and fittings including curtains are specifically excluded in the sale, but may be available in addition, subject to separate negotiation.
Services
All mains connected. Oil fired central heating & Private Drainage.
Local Authority
Mid Suffolk Council
Tax band: G
Postcode: IP20 0LP
EPC - TBC
Agents Note
The property is offered subject to and with the benefit of all rights of way, whether public or private, all way leaves, easements and other rights of way whether specifically mentioned or not. Malt Office Farm positively benefits from covenants on all the nearest surrounding houses and an annual way leave agreement.
Tenure
Vacant possession of the freehold will be given upon completion.
Property Features :
- Sublime Period Farm House
- Five Bedrooms
- Four Reception Rooms
- Three Bathrooms
- One Bedroom Annexe
- Brick Barn with Planning Permission
- Extensive Gardens of Approx 3.8 Acres
- Original Features Throughout