The Great House

Description

Special Offer: Available at reduced pricing for 8 people using four of the six bedrooms only during off-peak times.  Please specify your preference at time of booking.  Please call for further details.

One of the most important houses and gardens situated in the heart of Orford. The Great House, built in the early 1800s, is a Grade II listed property. With views of both the castle and the coast, the house is believed to have been built as a shooting lodge for the Sudbourne estate and was restored in 2017. The Great house is now superbly finished throughout.  The house retains many of its original features and offers two large and comfortable reception rooms, a Billiard room, a large kitchen with breakfast room and a dining room which seats up to 20 guests. Each of the six bedrooms has access to its own ensuite bathroom.

The elegant formal and informal gardens are an important adjunct to the house and can be enjoyed and accessed from the hall, sitting room and the breakfast room. From the breakfast room. From the breakfast room is a spacious patio area with table and chairs and barbecue which leads out to the surrounding garden (around 1.5 acres) which includes a wonderful old orchard, and an expansive and charmingly planted lawned area with Croquet, Table Tennis or Kubb. Pub: 200 yards, Shop: 200 yards. 

GROUND FLOOR
Drawing Room: a large open fireplace, three sofas, armchairs, occasional tables and lamps, sound system with a selection of the owners cd's which guests are welcome to use.
Sitting Room: with sofas and armchairs, a large 49” flat screened TV showing Netflix and Freeview, corner cupboard and books and log burning stove. The stereo system also links here from the drawing room so music can be enjoyed throughout. A door leads out to the garden.
Dining Room: includes a table seating up to 15 guests and has sideboards and serving tables. There are tablecloths available as well as a full formal dining set.
Kitchen/Diner: includes dressers, occasional tables and a breakfast table seating 8 - 10. Bi-fold doors lead out to the barbecue terrace and garden beyond. The kitchen includes a 4 oven Blue electric AGA, large LG s/steel fridge freezer with ice maker, Britannia 6 hob gas range cooker, Kitchenaid Nespresso coffee machine (a starter pack of pods are provided), breakfast bar, butler sink, Magimix food processor and ample cooking equipment.  There are 2 dishwashers.
Utility Room: with a microwave, 'dog' shower, sink, washing machine and tumble dryer, bottle fridge and further freezer. A small supply of frozen meals are stored in the freezer just in case guests arrive late and hungry.
Billiard Room: full-sized snooker table, desk and chair, board games and card tables, desk with access for guests laptops and a printer. There is also an iPod with iPod dock and guests are welcome to browse the music and enjoy. 

FIRST FLOOR
Bedroom 1: a zip and link Emperor bed, large chest of drawers, chaise longue, arm chairs, wardrobe, dressing table and chair. Ensuite bathroom: with large walk in shower, double ended roll top bath with hand held shower, heated towel rail,wc and shave point. A spacious sitting room with sofas and chaise longue, books, TV and a great selection of children's games and toys.
Bedroom 2: includes an Emperor bed, chest of drawers, arm chair, wardrobe, dressing table and chair. Ensuite Shower Room: with large shower with both rain and hand held shower, wash basin, w.c., heated towel rail and shave point. 
Bedroom 3: a king sized sleigh bed, corner wardrobe, table and chair, wash basin. Ensuite Shower Room: large walk in shower with both rain and hand held showers, w.c., heated towel rail and shave point. 
Bedroom 4: an Emperor bed, chest of drawers, arm chair, wardrobe, dressing table and chair. Ensuite Shower Room: with large shower with both rain and hand held shower, wash basin, heated towel rail and shave point. The w.c. is located in its own room off the bedroom.
Bedroom 5: has a king sized sleigh bed, corner wardrobe, table and chair. Ensuite bathroom: with roll-top bath with hand held shower, wash basin, w.c., radiator, towel rail and shave point.
Bedroom 6: An antique French Emperor sized bed which can be converted into 2 large single beds, dressing table and chair, large armoire, easy chair. Ensuite Shower Room: with large walk in shower with rain and hand held shower, basin, w.c., heated towel rail and shave point.  In the corner of this room is an open staircase leading down to the lobby off the kitchen and breakfast room.

Garden: There is a large lawned garden with croquet overlooked by a large terrace with seating for all the visitors, barbecue, outside table tennis. A gate leads to the orchard where there is a variety of ancient apple and other fruit trees. Here too, an outdoor table tennis table is set on the patio. The owners have built a small self contained lodge in the corner of the garden which shares the main gate into the property for pedestrian access only.
Parking: A drive to the left leads to a parking area with space for at least 6 cars.
Heating: Air source heat pump. 
Notes: WiFi, bed linen and towels. 

Looking to a greener future in 2021 , the Great House has installed a Zappi EV car charging point
Type V 2 - 22kw 3 ph - untethered.  The unit is wall mounted on the LH side of the garage and will require the guest to provide their own power cable connection, which is unique to the model of their car.  Cost per car for a long weekend stay £15.00.  Cost per car for for a week's stay £25.00.  To be advised and the amount added at the time of booking to allow access to the unit during your stay. 

Please Note: The property is a family home and is not suitable for parties. No music to be played in the gardens. There is a security deposit of £1,000 payable on this property that will be returned within 10 days of your stay.

Orford is an attractive small town, dominated by the remains of a 12th Century castle keep - you may like to climb to the top to enjoy the panoramic views over the town and marshes. It is also famous for Orford Ness National Nature Reserve and Havergate Island, both a delight for ornithologists and nature lovers. Sailing and boat trips are available on the River Ore, with country walks in Rendlesham Forest. It is only nine miles from the beach at Aldeburgh, with the historic towns of Framlingham and Woodbridge and the world-famous Snape Maltings Concert Hall also within easy reach.

'SY Eventually'

Experience an ocean going high performance luxury yacht for a half day or just for lunch.
Charter with a skipper' a one off yacht designed by the owner of The Great House.
Choose from a lunch out under power or a short at sea experience.

Eventually is a twin rudder powerful pilothouse sail boat with dual steering and a lifting keel offering Great House guests either an at sea sheltered sailing or a more gentle down to shingle street experience.
The boat is moored on the river Ore just off the Quay at Orford.
Available by prior arrangement.
At sea charters have to be timed to fit with the times of our high tides, with departures from the quay 3 hours before high water.

Choices:
1.  For those folk who do not want to sail at sea but would like to experience life on the water - A 2 hour Trip around Havergate Island under motor with snacks and drinks on board once moored.Champagne and light refreshments provided.
Maximum 7 persons.
Life jackets and a safety brief provided- delivery and collection to and from the yacht by the harbour masters launch.
£600

2. For the more adventurous types a 3 - 4 hour sail from the mooring in the Ore out to sea for an hour followed by lunch or tea,- experience navigation in and out of the river, trimming sails and steering the yacht.Champagne and light refreshments provided
Maximum 5 persons.
Life jackets and a safety brief provided- delivery to and from the yacht by the harbour masters launch.
£850

Weather dependant.
Tide timed.
Fully insured.
No children under 10.

Facilities

Ground Floor

• The double front doors open into a small lobby beyond which is the main hall with occasional tables and chairs and a old grandfather clock
• With old wooden floors and rugs, shutters to the windows, the drawing room has a large open fireplace, three sofas, armchairs, occasional tables and lamps, sound system with a selection of the owners cd's which guests are welcome to use.
• The sitting room cum snug, is again beautifully furnished with sofas and armchairs, a large 49” flat screened TV showing Netflix and Freeview, corner cupboard and books and log burning stove. The stereo system also links here from the drawing room so music can be enjoyed throughout. A door leads out to the garden.
• The dining room includes a table seating up to 15 guests and has sideboards and serving tables. There are tablecloths available as well as a full formal dining set.  A door leads through to the breakfast room and kitchen.
• The breakfast room includes dressers, occasional tables and a breakfast table seating 8 - 10.  Bi-fold doors lead out to the barbecue terrace and garden beyond.
• A further door leads from the breakfast room to a corridor with coat hooks and space for shoe storage beyond which is a side door leading to the parking area.  To one side is a large utility room with a microwave, 'dog' shower, sink, washing machine and tumble dryer, bottle fridge and further freezer. A small supply of frozen meals are stored in the freezer just in case guests arrive late and hungry.
• The kitchen includes a 4 oven Blue electric AGA, large LG s/steel fridge freezer with ice maker, Britannia 6 hob gas range cooker, Kitchenaid Nespresso coffee machine (a starter pack of pods are provided), breakfast bar, butler sink, Magimix food processor and ample cooking equipment.  There are 2 dishwashers.
• The Billiard room has a full-sized snooker table, desk and chair, board games and card tables, desk with access for guests laptops and a printer. There is also an iPod with iPod dock and guests are welcome to browse the music and enjoy. 
• Cellar- wine storage.

First Floor

• Midway up the stairs is a galleried room with table and chair, bookcase and occasional tables.
• All bedrooms have a USB socket by the bed, and hairdryers.
• All bathrooms have a shaver/electric tooth brush socket.
• The Merlin Rocket suite includes a zip and link Emperor bed, large chest of drawers, chaise longue, arm chairs, wardrobe, dressing table and chair. A private corridor leads to both the en suite bathroom with large walk in shower, double ended roll top bath with hand held shower, heated towel rail,wc and shave point, and a spacious sitting room with sofas and chaise longue, books, TV and a great selection of children's games and toys.
• The Dragon Bedroom includes an Emperor bed, chest of drawers, arm chair, wardrobe, dressing table and chair. There is an en suite with large shower with both rain and hand held shower, wash basin, w.c., heated towel rail and shave point. 
• The Firefly Bedroom has a king sized sleigh bed, corner wardrobe, table and chair, wash basin.  The en suite has a large walk in shower with both rain and hand held showers, w.c., heated towel rail and shave point. 
• The Flying Fifteen Bedroom includes an Emperor bed, chest of drawers, arm chair, wardrobe, dressing table and chair. The en suite is to one end of the bedroom - with large shower with both rain and hand held shower, wash basin, heated towel rail and shave point.  The w.c. is located in its own room off the bedroom.
• Two steps lead up from the main landing is a Jack and Jill bathroom with roll-top bath with hand held shower, wash basin, w.c., radiator, towel rail and shave point is located beside bedroom 5, close to the top of the main staircase.  A door leads from the bathroom to
• The Wayfarer Bedroom has a king sized sleigh bed, corner wardrobe, table and chair.  There is a door leading to the Jack and Jill bathroom and another to the landing (2 steps down).
• The Loch Long Bedroom An antique French Emperor sized bed which can be converted into 2 large single beds, dressing table and chair, large armoire, easy chair.  Door to:
• En suite bathroom with large walk in shower with rain and hand held shower, basin, w.c., heated towel rail and shave point.   
• This bedroom accesses the second open staircase which leads down to the lobby of the breakfast room.

Outside

• A pair of gates lead into the drive and the front doors.  A drive to the left leads to a parking area with space for at least 6 cars.
• There is a large lawned garden with croquet overlooked by a large terrace with seating for all the visitors, barbecue, outside table tennis.  
• A gate leads to the orchard where there is a variety of ancient apple and other fruit trees. Here too, an outdoor table tennis table is set on the patio. 
• Charcoal BBQ and firepit, umbrella

Services

• A state of the art open sourced heat pump, drawing warm ground water from the house well runs to provide the house with hot water and central heating, there is also an emergency gas boiler and log fires in both the sitting room and drawing room.  There is an electric AGA and a gas range so you can cook even if there is a temporary power cut. Baskets of logs are provided. A small starter pack of charcoal for the BBQ is also provided. 
• Hotel quality Isabella bed linen and fluffy towels are provided.  Please bring your own beach towels.  For infants, one highchair, one travelcot and one stairgate are provided. If using the travel cot please provide your own bed linen for it.
• Welcome hamper and toiletries. There is also a hairdryer for each room. 
• Kitchen is fully stocked with herbs, spices, jams, chutneys etc on a use and replace basis
• Looking for a special dinner or a relaxing lunch?  Various catering options are available at your property - please call for details
• A hot tub can be hired for use at the property: http://www.holidayhottubhire.co.uk
• A day's yachting can be arranged - timings dependent on tides.  Wonderful views - a superb day out for all the family - please call for details
• There is large selection of books, games and films for all the family

Unlimited rapid Wifi available throughout the house

Looking to a greener future in 2021 , the Great House has installed a Zappi EV car charging point
Type V 2 - 22kw 3 ph - untethered.  The unit is wall mounted on the LH side of the garage and will require the guest to provide their own power cable connection, which is unique to the model of their car.  Cost per car for a long weekend stay £15.00.  Cost per car for for a week's stay £25.00.  To be advised and the amount added at the time of booking to allow access to the unit during your stay. 

Please Note: The property is a family home and is not suitable for parties. There is a security deposit of £1,000 payable on this property that will be returned within 10 days of your stay.