Bardwell, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP31

Mansard House is a stunning Grade II listed, 17th century 5 bedroom house. The house features traditional elements, such as the distinctive mansard-roof façade which was added in the 18th century, original beams and fireplaces, alongside contemporary touches that enhance modern day
family living.

The ground floor comprises a spacious open-plan kitchen and dining area with aga and large island, perfect for entertaining, while the snug, drawing room, and sitting room are cosy rooms with open fireplaces. The formal reception rooms combine traditional features of the farmhouse and period home. A playroom/gym, utility room, pantry and WC add to the functional aspects of the home.

Upstairs, the principal suite boasts a dressing room and a luxurious bathroom. Four additional bedrooms, a family bathroom, and a shower room provide ample accommodation for family and guests.

Garage/workshop and Annexe

The grounds extend to approximately 2 acres and were transformed by the present owner Tom Hoblyn, four-time Chelsea gold medallist from a field deep in brambles to a spectacular garden that was featured on Gardener's
World TV and in Country Life and House and Garden magazines for its naturalistic qualities. The garden is a mix of formal planting, with many unusual and rare plant species, and naturalistic woodland. Despite its impressive design and variety, the garden has been thoughtfully created to be relatively low maintenance.

The formal areas near the house include a 19th century walled garden with an impressive Alitex greenhouse and distinctive crinkle-crankle wall. The garden contains a fruit tree collection of cordons, espaliers, and fan-trained specimens organised into sections with low box hedging and a long ironwork allée clad with climbers.

The Mediterranean gravel garden at the front of the house contains plants collected in the Mediterranean by Tom over the last 22 years. The formal lawn area features a mineral swimming pool that overlooks the landscape via a Ha-ha, flanked with a collection of Benton irises and peonies, which overlooks a surrounding wetland wildflower meadow that gently slopes to the West where wildflower meadows and ponds create a calming environment before flowing into woodland flanked by two streams that flow into the Black Bourn. The garden has been designed to survive on the edge, require less maintenance, and cope with a changing climate—perfect for gardening enthusiasts who appreciate biodiversity and naturalistic planting.

Set in the pretty village of Bardwell, Mansard House enjoys a peaceful setting surrounded by the Suffolk countryside. Bardwell is a quaint village with local amenities including a post office, a traditional pub, and a primary school.

The nearby market town of Bury St Edmunds is recognised for its history, beautiful outside spaces and great mix of independent and high street shops and for being Suffolk's Foodie Town with its fantastic eateries. The famous racing centre of Newmarket is approximately 20 miles away and
the city of Cambridge is 37 miles via the A14, providing excellent shopping, recreational, cultural and educational facilities. London is easily accessible via the M11 and there is a fast train to King's Cross (47 minutes) from Cambridge or to London Liverpool Street from Stowmarket (80 minutes).