When Sheila Kirk was driving down Pakenham Road, near Bury St Edmunds, she spotted something strange but familiar: chimneys.
But these were not just any chimneys. No, these chimneys — as Ms Kirk felt sure — chimneys in the vernacular of Philip Webb, one of the ‘fathers’ of the Arts-and-Crafts Movement. Ms Kirk had ‘discovered’ one of his previously unknown buildings.
That very property, Manor Farm, is now on the market via Bedfords with a guide price of £1.45 million, with five bedrooms and some six acres of land.
Originally built to be the farm manager’s house by the Greene family of Suffolk, the property is now listed Grade II* and is a fabulous example of Webb’s design and ideas.
There are areas of this home which would do well from a lick of paint and touch of TLC. The ‘farm office’, for example, would make a wonderful flower or garden room, and the triple-aspect bedroom suite on the second floor, with its walk-in wardrobe and ensuite bathroom, lends itself naturally as the principal bedroom.
Outside, the grounds are spectacular. To the front of the property is a sweeping gravelled driveway framed by immaculate topiary. To the rear, a swimming pool, rose garden and an orchard with a variety of productive fruit trees. Situated slightly further away from the property is a vegetable garden and open meadows.
Located on the outskirts of both Pakenham and Thurston, the property is in a convenient location, while retaining its rural appeal.
The village of Thurston is situated about four miles from Bury St Edmunds and has excellent educational facilities with a pre-school, primary school and community college. With a train station, butchers, two pub and several shops, there is everything here you need for day-to-day life.
The nearby historic market town of Bury St Edmunds — ‘the jewel in the crown of Suffolk — is surrounded by picturesque countryside and has over 1,000 years of history to explore.
There are excellent restaurants and good local pubs, theatres, art galleries and boutique shops to explore.
Manor Farm is currently on the market via Bedfords with a guide price of £1.45 million — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
-
The deaths of Romeo and Juliet: Country Life Quiz of the Day, June 12, 2025A Rolling Stone and a familiar-sounding place find their way into Wednesday's Quiz of the Day.
-
How to make Eton mess strawberry blondiesOur kitchen garden cook Melanie Johnson shares a mouthwatering recipe bringing together two of the greatest foodstuffs on the planet: strawberries and meringue.
-
The reality of 20 years of house price rises in Britain, from the places that have had a charmed life to the spots where it's a struggle to move back homeAt first glance the ups and downs of the property market seem to even out over time — but dig in to the numbers and you'll see wild regional variations which paint a very difference picture. Annabel Dixon analyses new research which tells the story.
-
A historic Yorkshire hall, meticulously restored to its former 18th-century magnificenceWomersley Park is a masterpiece and one of Yorkshire's great historic houses. And it could be yours.
-
Rowing past dreams: An idyllic riverside home with a boathouse, croquet pitch and Olympic pedigreeThe Manor in Long Wittenham is a perfect Thames-side getaway. Comes with a free boat.
-
A bucolic Sussex home that's 'like stepping into a fairytale', yet just 30 minutes from central LondonFelmere House is a playground for nature and only 30 minutes from London.
-
Magnificent mansions across the Home Counties, from £3 million to £14 million, as seen in Country LifeA waterside dream home and a house and estate with over 1,100 years of history make our round-up this week.
-
Vibrant colours and exquisite taste make this three-bedroom London townhouse singOn Kennington's West Square, this Grade II-listed home is a monument to the discerning eye.
-
Lawns, glorious lawns at this Grade II-listed home in Hampshire where a sustainable future meets a storied pastThere are 'old rectorys', and then there's The Old Rectory.
-
'A monument to Edwardian excess' that was built by the millionaire industrialist who founded Pinewood StudiosBents House is a classic Peak District mansion which shows that good taste and deep pockets can coexist very happily.
