An impressive 18th century converted barn in a quaint Suffolk village
Holy Oak Barn in Combs, Stowmarket, offers enviable family accommodation.

With some 2,000sq ft of living space and priced at less than £1 million, Holy Oak Barn is a divinely proportioned family home at a more than reasonable price. It is listed with Strutt & Parker for £725,000.
The structure of the property is believed to date from some time in the 18th century and the storied oak beams of the barn are still proudly on display throughout.
However, mixed in with the history are all the modern comforts that any family could desire in a four-bedroom home, such as a tasteful kitchen/dining room, complete with island and integrated appliances, and a magnificent vaulted living room that consumes the entire first floor.
Mix in a well-planted garden with plenty of spaces for alfresco dining or entertaining, as well as a separate garage that is ripe for conversion, and it’s tricky to imagine what more any- one could need. Perhaps good links to central London? Well that’s easily served by Stowmarket station, from which trains reach Liverpool Street Station in only one hour and 30 minutes.
Holy Oak Barn in Combs, Stowmarket, is listed with Strutt & Parker for £725,000.
Combs, Stowmarket: What you need to know
- Location: Holy Oak Barn is nestled in the picturesque and peaceful village of Combs, located between the county town of Ipswich and the historic market town of Bury St. Edmunds. The nearby A14 offers easy access to the A12, Ipswich and Suffolk Heritage Coast, and Stowmarket station provides a mainline link to London Liverpool Street.
- Things to do: Bury St Edmunds has a long farming tradition, a beautiful parish church and Combs Woods, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, perfect for walkers and wildlife lovers. Nearby market town Stowmarket offers boutique shopping on its high street as well as bi-weekly markets.
- Schools: The area offers a great selection of state schools, including Trinity C of E VA Primary School, Combs Ford Primary School and Stowmarket High School, as well as a range of independent schools, including Finborough, Centre Academy East Anglia, Old Buckenham Hall, Meadows Montessori Primary, Ipswich Prep and Ipswich School. View more properties in the area
A charming Cornish farmhouse on the banks of the River Ruthern
Penny Churchill explores West Ruthern Farm, a tranquil, small country estate in Cornwall.
Credit: Callum Swan
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
11 beautiful homes for sale around the world today
Enjoy our selection of some of the greatest homes for sale right now around the world, as seen in Country
-
The dream home that never was for one of Britain's greatest film stars, back on the market for the first time in half a century
Anna White takes a look at the beautiful Wallers Mead, in the Buckinghamshire village full of links to Hollywood movies from James Bond to Star Wars.
By Anna White Published
-
Country Life Quiz of the Day, September 16, 2025 gets Brutal(ist)
Divisive architecture is among the themes of today's quiz questions.
By Country Life Published
-
The dream home that never was for one of Britain's greatest film stars, back on the market for the first time in half a century
Anna White takes a look at the beautiful Wallers Mead, in the Buckinghamshire village full of links to Hollywood movies from James Bond to Star Wars.
By Anna White Published
-
A 500-year-old cottage in West Sussex that's as beautiful as you could ever hope to see, with a pool ringed by flowers, stables and a croquet lawn
James Fisher was in need of some balm for the soul when he came across Woodshill House.
By James Fisher Published
-
A Clarkson's Farm of one's own: Five properties with just enough farmland for you and your family, from under £1 million
Moving to the country is one thing; moving to the country and being able to grow and rear all your own food is another level entirely, and all these properties offer exactly that.
By Arabella Youens Published
-
Six superb homes, from chocolate box cottages to grand Tudor mansions, as seen in Country Life
Our regular round-up includes charming home counties houses and superb grand country house in Ireland.
By Toby Keel Published
-
A billionaire's thatched cottage is for sale in Surrey, once owned by the oil magnate J. Paul Getty
Chestnut Cottage is a joyous little home — albeit one with the most unusual bedrooms to acreage to price balances we've ever seen. Toby Keel takes a look inside.
By Toby Keel Published
-
Medieval Italian? 19th century French? 16th century German? You're spoilt for choice if you're looking to buy a gorgeous continental castle
From hills of Italy to a Bavarian palace, Toby Keel takes a look at three of the finest castles for sale across Europe today.
By Toby Keel Published
-
How to buy a house at auction
Buying at auction can mean you secure your dream property for a bargain price, but preparation is the key
By Annabel Dixon Last updated
-
The homes of two 1980s TV icons are both up for sale at the same time
The houses where Bob Monkhouse and Sir Terry Wogan spent decades of their lives are currently on the market. Annabel Dixon takes a look.
By Annabel Dixon Published