Location

Hundon is an attractive village in West Suffolk, with amenities such as a community run village shop and post office, primary school, the Rose & Crown public house, and large playing fields catering for various sporting activities. The village hall also hosts many events throughout the year, creating a great sense of community.

Clare, Suffolk's smallest town, is 3.6 miles away and has an excellent range of independent shops and cafes, doctor's surgery, primary and secondary schools and a country park. Larger supermarkets are available approximately 5 miles away in Haverhill.

Hundon is 14 miles from the medieval market town of Bury St Edmunds with its beautiful Abbey Gardens and St Edmundsbury Cathedral, offering good shopping and a vibrant cultural and restaurant scene. The world-famous university city of Cambridge and all it has to offer is just 23 miles away.

For the commuter, Sudbury train station (13.9 miles) offers services to Marks Tey in 20 minutes which in turn offers services into London Liverpool Street. Alternatively, Audley End (19.8 miles) offers direct services into London Liverpool Street in as little as 48 minutes.

All distances and times are approximate.

Description

This unique former milking parlour was built by William Henry Smith the wealthy owner of the eponymous retail business who, as well as being a member of Parliament and the first Lord of the Admiralty (1877-1880), undertook a revolution of the farming industry in an effort to reduce the number of farm hands and tenant farmers.

Dating back to 1882, the main part of the brick built building retains not only the initials WHS clearly on the exterior wall but also many of the beams and charm of the original building. The main house was painstakingly refurbished by the current owners and later extended to include an indoor pool, conservatory and guest suite and now extends to around 5,225 sq ft.

The flowing layout is designed for both comfortable family living and entertaining on a grander scale when required. At its heart, in the open plan main living space, is a beautiful bespoke kitchen complete with a central island, integrated appliances, and a zinc covered breakfast bar for casual dining. In addition there is a large walk-in pantry and separate utility room with exterior access. This incredible vaulted space which is flooded with natural light opens through oversized sliding doors on the right into a light-filled conservatory, perfectly placed to enjoy the gardens year-round and far-reaching views across the farmland beyond.

At the rear left of this exceptional space a further sliding door leads into a family room, with a studio beyond, together with bedrooms four and five and family bathroom. To the rear right a slate floored inner hall leads to the guest bedroom suite and the incredible indoor swimming pool which could be the only space to surpass the kitchen.

The entrance hall is as striking as it is functional with Suffolk pamment flooring, its huge front door and curved staircase to the main bedroom on the first floor – a room with exposed beams and an inspired bathroom.

Additional outbuildings include a large party barn, workshops, offices, stores, stables, and further large barn offer enormous flexibility for a variety of uses. The grounds are a true feature, with formal gardens beyond the party barn and next to the main house, mature trees, and open paddocks, all backing onto unspoilt countryside. The property is set well back from the road and approached via the original farmyard, with ample parking.

With its outstanding setting, extensive accommodation, and excellent equestrian or lifestyle potential, this is a unique opportunity to secure a substantial country home in the heart of the village of Hundon. The house benefits from many energy-efficient amenities including underfloor heating and extensive solar panels which produce 40 kilowatts of energy.