Location

Little Henny is a charming village located in the picturesque countryside of Suffolk, England. This small and tranquil settlement offers a quintessential English rural experience, surrounded by rolling hills, lush green fields and charming historical architecture. Little Henny is a haven for nature lovers and walking enthusiasts. The village is surrounded by a network of public footpaths and bridleways that traverse the stunning Suffolk countryside. These paths offer scenic walks through idyllic landscapes, including woodlands, meadows and along the banks of the River Stour.

There are several reputable schools in the surrounding area. Nearby villages and towns offer primary and secondary education options. Notable schools include St. Peter's Church of England Primary School in Sudbury and Thomas Gainsborough School, a secondary school also located in Sudbury. In the private sector there is Old Buckenham Hall School (14 miles), St Joseph's College (25 miles), Felsted School (18 miles), New Hall School (25 miles), and Colchester Grammar (16 miles).

The property features enviable seclusion combined with convenience and several excellent rail connections. The closest major rail station is Sudbury (located next to Waitrose), less than 10 minutes' (approx. 4 miles) drive away, providing regular services to Marks Tey where passengers can connect to mainline services to London Liverpool Street (approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes), Colchester and Ipswich.

Little Henny benefits from good road links, making it easily accessible by car. The village is situated close to the A131, which provides a direct route to Sudbury and Braintree. From Braintree, the A120 offers a connection to the M11 motorway facilitating travel to London (approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, depending on traffic conditions), Cambridge, and Stansted Airport. Additionally, the A134 provides a route to Colchester and Bury St Edmunds, making it convenient for exploring the wider Suffolk and Essex regions.

For international travel, Stansted Airport is easily accessible from Little Henny. The airport is located approximately 30 miles southwest of the village, a journey that takes around 45 minutes by car via the A120 and M11.

Description

The Old Rectory is a beautifully maintained Grade II listed country house, occupying a peaceful and private setting. Set within in its own grounds on the edge of the picturesque and charming village of Little Henny, The Old Rectory is believed to originate from the 17th century, with possibly even earlier beginnings.

This exceptional family home provides just under 6,000 sq ft of accommodation, with practical and versatile rooms suited for a variety of lifestyles. The house occupies about 22 acres of beautifully maintained gardens and grounds, and includes a separate two bedroom cottage, several practical outbuildings, a tennis court, a croquet lawn and a pond.

Inside, a welcoming reception hall opens into spacious and well-proportioned rooms. The ground floor includes four principal reception rooms, a kitchen with a scullery and boot room, a garden room and a guest wing with a living room and bedroom suite, which could be used as extra reception and entertaining space. The first floor offers five bedrooms, one with an en suite, and two family bathrooms. The principal bedroom is notably spacious and provides lovely views over the gardens and surrounding countryside.

The Cottage
Set comfortably away from the main house is a charming cottage, ideal for staff and guest accommodation or multi-generational living. This attractive building is constructed of gault brick and black weatherboarding. The accommodation is set out over one level and includes two bedrooms, a living room with a conservatory, an open-plan kitchen/family room with a utility area, a bathroom and a shower room.

Outside
An impressive, tree-lined gravel drive welcomes visitors to the Old Rectory and leads to the main house before sweeping around to the cottages and barns.

The property sits within a combination of formal and informal gardens that have been meticulously planned and maintained.

Behind the house, there is a York stone terrace, accessed by a tree-lined walkway from the gravel drive, and a stunning sunken pond with two al fresco dining patios.

The front of the house features an expansive croquet lawn centered on a picturesque summer house. The gardens have been thoughtfully planted providing all-year-round colour and interest and feature box hedging, tree-lined walkways, wild flower meadows and winding mowed paths. The grounds include an all-weather tennis court enclosed by hedges and sections allocated for pasture and arable farming. The property includes two sizeable fields. Besides providing views and protection, they can be converted for equestrian use if desired.

Several useful outbuildings and barns are dispersed across the grounds, providing useful storage and potential for other uses, if desired.

All in about 22 acres.

Services
Oil-fired central heating and mains electricity. Private drainage (the vendor's service provider has confirmed verbally that the system is compliant, and is currently investigating if a certificate is required).The property is served by its own bore hole but a mains connection is maintained (further details available upon request).

Local authority: Braintree District Council.
Council tax band: House: Band G, Cottage: Band E.

Agent's note
Some photographs taken in 2021

Directions

What3words: ///bullion.chemistry.shepherdess