This extraordinarily elegant Grade II listed Manor House, predating 1876, was designed by the renowned architect George Gilbert Scott (Junior), to serve as the butler’s quarters in the original service wing of Garboldisham Manor. Most of the original Manor, which was the only country house the architect completed, was sadly demolished in the 1950s and, as such, the house presents a rare opportunity to acquire a significant piece of Victorian architecture that has been sensitively updated by the current owners. The esteemed London-based James Grayley Architects have also produced plans to design a contemporary extension, which would serve as an additional wing to the house.

The house is set within three acres of its own mature, landscaped gardens and the plot occupies an incredibly secluded and peaceful position at the edge of the village of Garboldisham, on the Suffolk / Norfolk border. The living space, which spans 3,330 sqft internally, has been beautifully restored, with great sensitivity and to exacting standards throughout.

A pair of red-brick pillars present a secluded entrance to the property from the roadside, leading through to a private driveway, winding through the formal landscaped gardens, with a mature Ginko Bilboa to one side. The façade of the house is particularly handsome: the North wing roof retains a pair of Queen posts with arched braces, topped with a plain tiled roof; the frontage a combination of Gault brick with red brick dressings and a magnificent Wisteria.

The primary entrance is positioned to the front of the house, at the edge of the gravelled turning point. An arched, extended doorway leads through to a generous entrance hall, with storage for coats and boots and a cloakroom to the immediate right.

The adjoining dining room is an incredibly light space; a large bay window allowing light to spill through into the room to one end and original horizontal shuttering housed in beautiful joinered encasement beneath the window frames. A fireplace sits opposite and narrow, painted floorboards run underfoot.

The kitchen and adjoining conservatory space holds an instinctive magnetism on the ground floor; a wonderfully social place to eat and cook, a large Stanley range cooker at its heart and a curved, timber-framed glass wall providing a seamless affinity to the surrounding leafy curtilage. A pair of doors lead to a charming spot outside for drinking coffee and access to the rear garden, laid to lawn.

The original Victorian glass retained in the drawing room sash windows, presents a beautiful dappled light; a full-height panel of bespoke bookshelves line the back wall and solid oak floor runs the length of the room. This is a peaceful space to read, play music or light a fire.

The hallway provides access up and down; the extensive cellar below ground houses a wine vault, pantry and large utility space. A beautifully ornate hand-carved handrail completes the timber staircase, which leads up to the four beautifully proportioned bedrooms. Quite unique to a country house in this area, the first-floor spaces feel extraordinarily voluminous; the steeply-pitched roof providing expansively high ceilings. The principal bedroom is impressive and rich with original features; in contrast to the ground floor, the first floor rooms have horizontal shuttering and all with a pleasing view to the garden and surrounding trees. A family bathroom sits at the top of the landing, a Jack-and-Jill bathroom adjoins the two guest bedrooms and fourth bedroom, or study, sits on the opposite side of the plan.

Externally, the landscaped grounds are exceptionally beautiful, varied in nature and incredibly well-maintained (an experienced gardener has assisted with the up keep for over 28 years). The immediate surrounds, enclosed by a walled garden, have a series of herbaceous borders, raised herb beds, shaded ferns and a lily pond, with many mature trees offering seclusion and privacy.

Beyond this walled boundary, to one side of the house, lie the original foundations of Garboldisham Manor; the walls of which have been reconstructed by a series of mature yew hedges to suggest where the building once stood. Tucked away in one corner of the grounds is a Nineteenth century Living van for steam-engine drivers, which currently doubles as a summer house, music room or characterful guest layover.

Behind the house lies a wonderful wild woodland, which, with respect to the abundant wildlife, has been intentionally left untouched. A 90 year-old black walnut tree stands proud to one side of the house, whilst two outside walls of the original walled garden provide a perfect backdrop to the further development of a vegetable patch and orchard of fruit trees.

In addition to everything the house already has to offer, there is also great scope for further development. The current owners have commissioned the esteemed London-based James Grayley Architects (recipients of two RIBA Awards and shortlisted for RIBA’s House of the Year award in 2018) to design a contemporary extension, which would serve as an additional wing to the house; the plans of which would be included with the house. There are also three large coal cellars, currently used for garden storage and holding great potential for renovation.

Despite its rural setting, The Manor House has fibre-optic broadband and is well-served with local amenities and a thriving local community. The Fox Inn, just ten minutes’ walk away, has been at the heart of the village since the 18^th Century and recently reopened its doors following its purchase by a local community group.

For transport links, Diss station is a 20-minute drive away, with direct links to London Liverpool Street in one hour and 32 minutes. Diss has a good selection of independent shops and for a broader selection, Bury St Edmunds and the city of Norwich are within easy reach.

Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.