Medieval manor blending centuries of history with a modern swimming pool and festive party barn
Hempnalls Hall, a Grade II-listed manor house in mid Suffolk, has been a significant part of English history for approximately a millennium. The manor, which is now up for sale after 23 years, boasts a rich history, including a medieval moat and modern amenities such as a swimming pool and party barn.
The current residential features include a large kitchen-diner and a layout centered around multiple buildings forming a courtyard garden. Hempnalls Hall, built on two storeys with an attic and a small, 1.5-storey rear wing, has recently undergone an extensive restoration, transforming it from a "tired" state to an elegant home described as having a "restoration of rare artistry and scale"[1].
The manor's outbuildings include a one-bedroom coach-house annexe, a party barn, games room, garaging, a further large barn, stabling, and stores. The house itself includes entrance and rear halls, three reception rooms, a large kitchen/breakfast room, five bedrooms, and three bath/shower rooms.
While detailed historical data about the timeline of ownership from the Domesday Book period to the present day is not directly available, the manor's history can be traced back to the 11th century. Hempnalls Hall was first mentioned in the Domesday Book, held by Robert Malet. By 1367, the manor was held by the de Hemenhale family, from whom the current house takes its name.
Over the centuries, Hempnalls Hall has been owned by several notable figures. Sir John Fastolf, the model for Shakespeare's Falstaff, acquired the manor in the mid 1400s. In the early 16th century, Henry VIII's brother-in-law, Sir Charles Brandon, acquired Hempnalls and stripped the manor house. Sir John Paston, author of some of the Paston Letters, succeeded Fastolf at Hempnalls.
In the 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries, Hempnalls was owned by several families, including the Wroth, Goate, Clarke, and Matthew families. Anne of Cleves, Henry VIII's divorce settlement recipient, rented out Hempnalls Hall and surrounding farmland. Edward Venn, a London tea broker, acquired Hempnalls in 1828 and was followed by his son and grandson.
Hempnalls Hall is located three-quarters of a mile from the ancient village of Cotton and seven miles north of Stowmarket. The manor is set on 43 acres of gardens, woodland, paddocks, and flower meadows. The manor house has color-washed rendered walls under a tiled roof, with high ceilings throughout and over 3,500 sq ft of living space. The front elevation of Hempnalls Hall boasts fine panelled plasterwork of the 1980s.
The manor has a guide price of £1.95 million, as quoted by Matthew Cutting of Jackson-Stops in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. For those seeking a piece of English history with modern comforts, Hempnalls Hall offers an opportunity to own a manor steeped in history and beauty.
[1] The Times, 10th March 2022. "Hempnalls Hall, Suffolk: A Stunning Manor with a Rich History".
- Potential homebuyers interested in blending historical charm with modern luxury may find Hempnalls Hall, an English manor house, an appealing investment in both finance and lifestyle.
- With its extensive fleet of outbuildings, including a one-bedroom coach-house annexe, party barn, games room, garaging, large barn, stabling, and stores, the property offers vast opportunities for home-and-garden renovations and real-estate development.
