Gifted by William The Conqueror to one of his knights and mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086, this truly remarkable Elizabethan manor house with Medieval foundations is nearly a thousand years old and teeming with unparalleled historical character, architectural wonder and elegant interior design. Like a lavish period film set the house exudes intrigue, sophistication and aesthetic refinement from every grand nook and cranny. Once home to aristocrats, artists, musicians and world renowned designer Jasper Conran, the Hall has been meticulously and luxuriously modernised in sympathy with its extraordinary storied past. Boasting magnificent bedrooms sleeping fourteen, imposing reception rooms, swimming pool, cinemas, water terrace, martial arts dojo, and enchanting landscaped gardens encircled by a fortified moat, Flemings Hall creates an unforgettable and timeless escape.
The Main Hall
Ground Floor
Reception Hall – Large oak panelled entrance way with herringbone flagstone floor providing access to the cinema, Great Hall, kitchen and the East garden.
Kitchen – Features an oil and electric AGA cooker with five ovens and six hobs, two dishwashers, sink, undercounter fridge and a separate full height fridge freezer, open fire, toaster, kettle and water purifier.
Dining & Breakfast Room– Dining table for eight or ten guests combined with a breakfast table provides seating for fourteen guests which is ideal for morning meals and more intimate dining. The Summer House is the main formal dining area accommodating up to twenty-two guests.
The Great Hall – The majestic heart of the house with a large roaring open fire surrounded by a three seater sofa, five armchairs, and a grand piano for impromptu serenades. Next to a book-lined wall with a secret opening, the front door leads onto the gardens, entrance bridge and iron gates beyond designed for The Duke of Westminster.
Drawing Room – Dominated by a beautiful gold-gilded full height oak mantlepiece enveloping an open-fire. Relax on the three-seater sofa and three armchairs, or indulge in a cocktail at the drinks bar next to French windows opening onto the garden.
Water Closet – Lavatory and hand-basin.
Laundry Room – Sink, washing machine, tumble dryer and ceiling mounted Dutch dryer.
Cinema – Large L shaped lounging sofa orientated around a projected drop-down film screen, with content selected through streaming services Netflix, Amazon Prime and more. There is an upright piano and French windows opening onto the duck pond.
Play Room – Captures the nostalgia of a bygone era with old fashioned style toys, library of children’s books and a beautiful traditional wooden rocking-horse.
First Floor
The Leigh Bedroom – In the 1960s famed photographer Angus McBean fully restored the house and regularly had Vivan Leigh (Oscar winning actress in ‘Gone with the Wind’) and Lawrence Olivier (Oscar winning actor in ‘Hamlet’) to stay in this and other bedrooms. Given she said ‘I need something truly beautiful to look at in hotel rooms’ she must have loved this space with its King-sized bed, bedside tables & lamps, wooden ottoman, wardrobe, dressing table and matching armchairs.
The Black Prince Bedroom – Named after Edward of Woodstock, the heir to King Edward III, whom the then owner, Sir Peter Bedingfield rode out of the Hall to join in their victorious Battle of Crécy in 1346. Fit for a warrior is a King-sized bed with ornate carved wooden head and foot boards, high vaulted ceiling and a massive mirror.
Children’s Bunk Bedroom – Single bunk beds, drawing table and chairs and an abundance of bedtime reading books.
Family Bath & Shower Room – With a lavatory, freestanding iron bath, walk-in power-shower, hand basin and a lounging bed.
The Olivier Bedroom – ‘And it must follow, as the night the day’ (Hamlet) after a luxurious sleep in this Super King-size bed with matching bedside tables & lamps, writing table, chest of drawers, built-in wardrobes and matching armchairs.
Ensuite Bath & Shower Room (to the Olivier Bedroom) – With a lavatory, freestanding iron bath, walk-in power-shower, hand basin and walk-in clothes closet.
Second Floor
Little Cinema – An intimate viewing space on the second floor landing with a sofa, armchair and projector with a drop-down screen.
The Bucks Fizz Bedroom – The record producer and songwriter Andy Hill bought the Hall from the proceeds of his success with Eurovision Song Contest winners Bucks Fizz in 1981. Being such a cosy room, no help will be required ‘Making Your Mind Up’ to sleep in this King-size bed with matching bedside tables & lamps, chest of drawers, dressing table and armchair.
Bathroom – Free-standing iron bath with handheld shower attachment, lavatory and hand basin.
The Conran Bedroom – The world renown designer Jasper Conran owned the Hall in the early 2000s making significant upgrades including to this room which has a King-size bed, matching bedside tables & lamps, chest of drawers, built-in wardrobes and an armchair.
The Summer House
About fifty yards from the main Hall is a large modern vaulted open plan living space with South facing retractable glass doors opening onto a decked terrace overlooking a duck pond.
Dining Hall – Can be configured to accommodate either fourteen or twenty-two guests in comfort along adjacent dining tables and matching dining chairs.
Kitchen Area - With four-ring electric hob, sink, large American style fridge freezer, DeLonghi Dinamica coffee machine, under the counter fridge and storage units. Food preparation can take place here or in the main Hall’s kitchen depending on preference.
Soft Seating Area - At one end there are two matching five seater sofas below a 55” Smart TV and electric imitation fire.
Star Bedroom – Behind sliding doors is a snug room with a King-size bed, which affords great views over the garden and stargazing under the big clear Suffolk night skies.
Shower Room – Walk-in power-shower, hand basin and separate lavatory room.
Terrace – Wooden decked terrace running down the length of the Sun Room with sculptural outdoor dining table and benches.
Sauna – At the end of the Sun Room is a four berth sauna ‘barrel’ and an adjacent ice bath which are the perfect pairing for relaxation and renewal.
The Flemings Hall Dojo
A fully matted and extensively equipped dojo (in Japanese means "place of the Way,") provides a space for martial arts like judo, jiu-jitsu, boxing, fencing and more traditional gym pursuits. With large mirrors, wall mounted 70” TV and French windows onto a secluded terrace with iron chairs and a table, the dojo inspires peace and focus.
The Grounds
Swimming Pool – Centrally positioned is a recently upgraded ten by thirty foot swimming pool with a consistent four foot depth, which is ideal for exercising lengths, family frolics or just cooling off. Surround by a generous patio and multiple padded sun loungers. The swimming pool is in use from the beginning of May to the end of September and heated to a target temperature of 24˚C / 75˚F.
Pool House – Features matching rattan sofas arranged around a large raised fireplace in case of cooler days.
Children’s Adventure Play Area – In a hedged enclosure is an extensive children’s climbing frame and adventure playground.
Gardens – Reimagined by Jasper Conran is enchanting array of manicured lawns, vibrant flowerbeds and elegant topiary avenues set withing five acres. Mature trees offer shady havens and create a variety of vistas and tranquil spaces, and no end of hide and seek.
Fortified Moat – Encircling the Hall with numerous bridges is a ancient moat originally for protection that is now home to an abundance of aquatic wildlife and a bucolic framing for the Hall.
There are multiple unfenced water features on the grounds so care should be taken around them and children should always be supervised by an adult when outside of the Hall.
Heating & Maintenance
Heating
Flemings Hall has an effective heating system, though being such an old building planning restrictions do not permit it to have modern insulation or double glazing. It therefore requires abnormal amounts of energy to warm up and it has sub-optimal heat retention. In the colder months the heating will come on between 6am –9am, 12pm-1pm and again from 4pm-10pm aiming to achieve a target temperature of 20˚Celcius. We also provide a generous starter load of logs for the three log fires and more can be purchased if required. If you are happy applying additional layers of clothing; are sympathetic to the limitations of Medieval building techniques; and understand the need for reasonable energy consumption, you should find the Hall sufficiently comfortable and have a wonderful stay.
Maintenance
Given its age, the Hall and grounds require constant care and attention which means it is likely that during your stay some maintenance work will be necessary. Please expect regular works to be carried out to the exterior of the building and the upkeep of the garden, every effort will be made to keep this as unobtrusive as possible. From time to time we may need to ask for access to the interior of the Hall for planned works and thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation. In case of any emergencies the team will require unrestricted access.
