House For Sale £1,850,000
Historical Note
The Middleton family held the Manor from 1278 when Wiliam de Middleton, Bishop of Norwich was in possession. In succession the following occupied the Hall: Richard de Middleton 1373; Robert Middleton 1390; the last Middleton being Thomas Middleton “who died seized of it” 1304. In 1558 Henry Reppes “died sized of it” and left it to his wife who married Bassingbourne Gawdy, who by right of his wife obtained the Hall. In 1594 Anne Gawdy died. Sir Henry Woodhouse, then came into possession by marriage with another member of the Reppes family, and it was he who married into the Gresham family until 1624. In 1642 it was in possession of Richard Baxter. It seems probable that the present Hall was built by Thomas Middleton and the front added by Henry Woodhouse in the mid 1700s. The Gresham family were founders of Martins Bank (now merged with Barclays Bank). The emblem of the bank was a grasshopper. The dining room ceiling shows grasshoppers, which were moulded by Italian plasters imported for the plaster work of the house, when the Greshams family was given the house as a wedding present. One room has ornamental plaster work, classic busts probably Roman Emperors. The grasshopper is the emblem of the Greshams family and in 1594 Cecily Gresham married Henry Woodhouse whilst living at the Hall. Cecily Gresham was granddaughter of Sir John Gresham, founder of Greshams School at Holt, in North Norfolk and brother of Sir Thomas Gresham, founder of Gresham College.
Description
Middleton Hall is a magnificent Grade II* Listed country house offering spacious family accommodation in a stunning private and secluded position on the southern side of the Waveney River Valley.
The house is mentioned in Pevsner’s Building of England as being of historic and architectural merit. The present owner has progressively and sensitively modernised and added to the house during their tenure with particular care and attention to the period and maintenance. Being an important house there are good ceiling heights throughout the majority of the house and some stunning rooms. Of particular note is the dining room which features ornate plasterwork ceiling, wood panelling, leaded lights and a stone fireplace and surround. In the drawing room there is a very large inglenook fireplace with a huge oak Bessemer and brick surround. From this fine room there are doors to the conservatory, study, cellar, entrance hall and garden entrance. The Kitchen, with views to the north towards the beck and barn, has an Aga and a separate larder, which provides significant storage. There is also the original range cooker and bread ovens, which are particularly charming, features. At the rear of the house is the original balustered newel Tudor staircase, with wide treads and the hound gate on the first half landing. This is mentioned in the listing and is a rare survival. The half cellar still has the original door from which huntsmen would have enjoyed a cup in years passed. On the first floor is the library, with the minstrel’s gallery above. The library has a vaulted ceiling, a delightful fireplace, exposed timbers and beams, all of which enhance this truly remarkable room. There are four bedrooms on the first floor along with an en-suite bathroom and two further bathrooms, and two/three bedrooms on the second floor along with a bathroom.
Middleton Hall is approached via a long private driveway which heads down the valley, crossing the ford in a dramatic yet controlled way. The stream is ‘The Beck’ which is a tributary of The Waveney. The driveway then rises back up, passes some traditional timber outbuildings and divides with one branch heading to the house and the other to the cottage and garaging.
Crab Apple Cottage provides very useful additional separate accommodation and could incorporate more of the outbuilding if required. There is a generous bedroom, a wet room and a kitchen/living room along with a separate WC. Adjacent is an upstairs studio, which could have a variety of uses. There is also garaging, and further storage.
To the north of the house are the old stables, which has had planning permission for conversion to additional accommodation, and adjacent to this is the stunning potager walled garden. The large barn (26m x 7.75m) would be ideal as a party barn/gallery or for classic car storage.
To the south of the house is the splendid Tudor garden, which was professionally designed and created by a well-respected local garden designer. This is walled on two sides and bordered by a hedge on the other. The symmetrical nature of the garden is particularly appealing along with a long pergola, and well stocked borders and beds. There is also a large south facing terrace adjacent to the house from which to enjoy this wonderful creation.
Much of the garden beyond is a wildflower meadow interspersed with mown paths and a mixture of fine broadleaf trees. Of particular note are two superb beech trees to the north of the house. There are some delightful woodland and garden walks and an impressive waterfall and rockery feature and pond to the east of the house. The gardens and grounds at Middleton Hall are stunning and are a real feature of the property. They offer a variety of styles and areas and have been very well maintained.
Middleton Hall is situated in a wonderfully private and secluded position in the valley of “Sconch Beck” a small tributary of the River Waveney surrounded by unspoiled undulating countryside. The surrounding private valleys are relatively hidden and unknown and there are superb views in the locality.
About a mile and a half lies the village of Mendham which has a pub, a church and small primary school with an ofsted rating of good.
Middleton Hall is near the charming and vibrant market town of Harleston which has a range of independent shops. Norwich, 22 miles, the regional centre has an active business community and also offers sporting and cultural activities. There are good schools, the UEA, an international airport and excellent shops and restaurants. Diss Station (circa 20 minutes) offers a regular direct service to London Liverpool Street with a journey time of about 1hr 30mins. Southwold, the renowned coastal town is about 16 miles away.
The Middleton family held the Manor from 1278 when Wiliam de Middleton, Bishop of Norwich was in possession. In succession the following occupied the Hall: Richard de Middleton 1373; Robert Middleton 1390; the last Middleton being Thomas Middleton “who died seized of it” 1304. In 1558 Henry Reppes “died sized of it” and left it to his wife who married Bassingbourne Gawdy, who by right of his wife obtained the Hall. In 1594 Anne Gawdy died. Sir Henry Woodhouse, then came into possession by marriage with another member of the Reppes family, and it was he who married into the Gresham family until 1624. In 1642 it was in possession of Richard Baxter. It seems probable that the present Hall was built by Thomas Middleton and the front added by Henry Woodhouse in the mid 1700s. The Gresham family were founders of Martins Bank (now merged with Barclays Bank). The emblem of the bank was a grasshopper. The dining room ceiling shows grasshoppers, which were moulded by Italian plasters imported for the plaster work of the house, when the Greshams family was given the house as a wedding present. One room has ornamental plaster work, classic busts probably Roman Emperors. The grasshopper is the emblem of the Greshams family and in 1594 Cecily Gresham married Henry Woodhouse whilst living at the Hall. Cecily Gresham was granddaughter of Sir John Gresham, founder of Greshams School at Holt, in North Norfolk and brother of Sir Thomas Gresham, founder of Gresham College.
Description
Middleton Hall is a magnificent Grade II* Listed country house offering spacious family accommodation in a stunning private and secluded position on the southern side of the Waveney River Valley.
The house is mentioned in Pevsner’s Building of England as being of historic and architectural merit. The present owner has progressively and sensitively modernised and added to the house during their tenure with particular care and attention to the period and maintenance. Being an important house there are good ceiling heights throughout the majority of the house and some stunning rooms. Of particular note is the dining room which features ornate plasterwork ceiling, wood panelling, leaded lights and a stone fireplace and surround. In the drawing room there is a very large inglenook fireplace with a huge oak Bessemer and brick surround. From this fine room there are doors to the conservatory, study, cellar, entrance hall and garden entrance. The Kitchen, with views to the north towards the beck and barn, has an Aga and a separate larder, which provides significant storage. There is also the original range cooker and bread ovens, which are particularly charming, features. At the rear of the house is the original balustered newel Tudor staircase, with wide treads and the hound gate on the first half landing. This is mentioned in the listing and is a rare survival. The half cellar still has the original door from which huntsmen would have enjoyed a cup in years passed. On the first floor is the library, with the minstrel’s gallery above. The library has a vaulted ceiling, a delightful fireplace, exposed timbers and beams, all of which enhance this truly remarkable room. There are four bedrooms on the first floor along with an en-suite bathroom and two further bathrooms, and two/three bedrooms on the second floor along with a bathroom.
Middleton Hall is approached via a long private driveway which heads down the valley, crossing the ford in a dramatic yet controlled way. The stream is ‘The Beck’ which is a tributary of The Waveney. The driveway then rises back up, passes some traditional timber outbuildings and divides with one branch heading to the house and the other to the cottage and garaging.
Crab Apple Cottage provides very useful additional separate accommodation and could incorporate more of the outbuilding if required. There is a generous bedroom, a wet room and a kitchen/living room along with a separate WC. Adjacent is an upstairs studio, which could have a variety of uses. There is also garaging, and further storage.
To the north of the house are the old stables, which has had planning permission for conversion to additional accommodation, and adjacent to this is the stunning potager walled garden. The large barn (26m x 7.75m) would be ideal as a party barn/gallery or for classic car storage.
To the south of the house is the splendid Tudor garden, which was professionally designed and created by a well-respected local garden designer. This is walled on two sides and bordered by a hedge on the other. The symmetrical nature of the garden is particularly appealing along with a long pergola, and well stocked borders and beds. There is also a large south facing terrace adjacent to the house from which to enjoy this wonderful creation.
Much of the garden beyond is a wildflower meadow interspersed with mown paths and a mixture of fine broadleaf trees. Of particular note are two superb beech trees to the north of the house. There are some delightful woodland and garden walks and an impressive waterfall and rockery feature and pond to the east of the house. The gardens and grounds at Middleton Hall are stunning and are a real feature of the property. They offer a variety of styles and areas and have been very well maintained.
Middleton Hall is situated in a wonderfully private and secluded position in the valley of “Sconch Beck” a small tributary of the River Waveney surrounded by unspoiled undulating countryside. The surrounding private valleys are relatively hidden and unknown and there are superb views in the locality.
About a mile and a half lies the village of Mendham which has a pub, a church and small primary school with an ofsted rating of good.
Middleton Hall is near the charming and vibrant market town of Harleston which has a range of independent shops. Norwich, 22 miles, the regional centre has an active business community and also offers sporting and cultural activities. There are good schools, the UEA, an international airport and excellent shops and restaurants. Diss Station (circa 20 minutes) offers a regular direct service to London Liverpool Street with a journey time of about 1hr 30mins. Southwold, the renowned coastal town is about 16 miles away.
