Mettingham Castle, Mettingham, Suffolk

Utterly singular, this remarkable home in Mettingham, Suffolk, lies within the ruined walls of a 14th-century fortified manor. The site reverberates with history; aside from the ruins, the primary house, a former dairy barn, retains a series of original features, including patinated beams, braces and posts. Spanning some 5,478 sq ft, it has a luminous vaulted study and up to six bedrooms, as well as a two-bedroom annexe with a separate entrance. The house sits surrounded by grounds of just under three acres, divided between formal gardens, paddocks and a series of outbuildings - including a traditional Victorian glasshouse, where grapevines thread through exposed timbers.



Setting the Scene



Not everyone was allowed to build a castle in the Middle Ages. Sir John de Norwich, a 14th-century knight and administrator, was given express permission by King Edward III in 1342 to crenellate his home, which would henceforth be known as Mettingham Castle. Its earliest iteration was surrounded by a moat, and later, an Edwardian gatehouse was added.



Set within its walls, this home comes with ownership of the castle’s ruins. Historic England grants have helped secure the future of the castle, with vital works carried out in 2017. Today, the remains consist primarily of the gatehouse, which was built with flint rubble and red-brick dressings. Three storeys tall, it has an evocative crenellated parapet that towers high above the home’s characterful and naturalistic garden.



The Grand Tour



A driveway winds up to Mettingham Castle, where a large gravelled driveway provides space to park several cars.



Interlaced timbers characterise the long profile of the principal dwelling. There are several points of access, although arguably the most impressive is via a door surrounded by double-height glazing. This opens to a beautifully bright porch.



An atmospheric study lies to the right. This, in turn, provides access to the kitchen, a marvellous space with quarry-tiled floors, teal-painted units and a matching oil-fired Aga. Dual-aspect windows follow the L-shape of the cabinetry, providing an unbroken connection with the outdoors. There are plenty of open shelves for spices, herbs and the like, and zinc worktops provide ample preparation space.



There are two L-shaped built-in seats in the kitchen, as well as space for an informal dining table. The same teal shade from the kitchen has been applied in the adjacent dining room, a glorious space encased with panelling and timber-framed ceilings. There is a WC next door, as well as a room with a door to the garden.



On the other side of the entrance hall is an atmospheric sitting room with a large stone fireplace. Beyond lies a spectacular studio with soaring ceilings and exposed trusses; south-facing windows wash the room in a day-long light. There is an additional study beyond, as well as a workshop, a cinema room, a WC, and a store, which provides access to the outdoors.



The primary plan has up to six characterful bedrooms. The first is on the ground floor, accessed from the entrance hall, with access to the garden. The remaining five are upstairs; placed at the furthest end, the principal is a superb space set beneath exposed rafters. Stairs reach up to a mezzanine level, currently used for as an office. Underneath is a bathroom with a freestanding bathtub and a walk-in, copper-clad shower.



A bathroom at the end of the upstairs landing serves the remaining three bedrooms, each of which has a distinct charm and long views over the garden.



Entered separately via a picturesque courtyard, the annexe is a private retreat with a strong sense of congruence with the main home. It has a sitting room, a pinkish-themed kitchen lit by a skylight, two peaceful bedrooms and a traditionally styled bathroom.



The Great Outdoors



The house and its grounds are set in constant dialogue with one another. Spanning around 2.9 acres, the gardens have distinct but permeable sections that include formal gardens, paddock, outdoor seating/entertaining spaces, and open lawns. Mature, age-old tree stud the grounds.



In total, the outbuildings in the garden provide almost 2,300 sq ft of additional space. In recent years, they have been used as workshops, print and ceramic studios, and storage. Among the most impressive is a Victorian glasshouse, a near sculptural space with productive grapevines.



Out and About



Mettingham is a peaceful village on the outskirts of the larger town of Bungay. There are a number of well-regarded cafés, restaurants and pubs in the local area, including Etude Coffee at the Silo, The Fleece Inn and Source Bistro in Bungay, which serves locally sourced meats and wines. Bungay has an array of independent local businesses, including a delicatessen, a fishmonger, a butcher, a greengrocer and a Co-op. Larger supermarkets can be found in the nearby town of Beccles.



Bungay has a vibrant arts scene thanks to The Fisher Theatre, a centre for music, theatre and cinema. There are a number of art galleries and antiques centres to explore, as well as regular events at nearby Earsham Hall, as well as a splendid antique centre and tea rooms. Folk music is popular in the local pubs, and the town celebrates an annual folk festival.



Surrounded by open countryside and close to the coast, the region also offers many opportunities for outdoor adventures. The beautiful Waveney River Valley is close by, as are the Norfolk Broads.



Frenze Beck Nature Reserve, on the outskirts of Diss, is a 15-acre county wildlife site with a variety of wetlands, meadows, pastures and scrub habitats. The stunning Dunwich Heath, RSPB Minsmere and Sutton Hoo are all reachable within an hour. The Norfolk coast is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with dramatic landscapes and unique wildlife. Its 112-mile route can be explored either on foot or by bike.



Norwich can be reached in around 35 minutes by car, while Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich are both around an hour’s drive from the house. The ever-popular Southwold is a 35-minute drive away, and the peaceful villages of Walberswick and Dunwich are also within easy driving distance.



There are a number of excellent schooling options in the area, including Earsham Church of England Primary Academy, Ellingham VC Primary School, and Bungay High School.



Beccles rail station is a 12-minute drive away, and runs regular services to Ipswich. From here, there are direct trains to London Liverpool Street, with a total journey time of just under two and a half hours.



Council Tax Band: H