Laurel House, Weybread

If you’re looking for somewhere special for a holiday or celebration weekend in the Suffolk countryside this impressive family holiday home, surrounded by beautiful gardens with a wonderful design, is sure to fit the bill.

Reputedly a Ship’s Captain’s House, that is one of Nelson’s Captains using his prize money from the Battle of Trafalgar to build a house, there is a beam over the annex fireplace that looks like it may have come from a ship of the line. More likely a farmhouse set in 15 acres, set mainly to lawn, some left to go wild and a small wood.

There are several water features, partially moated was the estate agent’s term, which are a haven for the endangered great crested newt. One of the ponds has been converted to a natural swimming pool (currently being reconditioned) with a steam room and shower for those who enjoy wild swimming. The grounds boast an astro turf tennis court which can also double up as a five aside football pitch. There is a greenhouse in the newly built kitchen garden with guest welcome to sit and enjoy a glass of wine beside the pear tree.

While the house lies to the south of the A143, it is relatively remote, affording clear and uninterrupted views of the night sky. While the nearest neighbour is half a mile away, there is a House Keeper’s cottage set at some distance to the main property.

Upon entering the house there is a main entrance hall with a fireplace and wood burner, piano and a table tennis table.

To the right of the entrance hall, there is a beautiful drawing room with an open fireplace, smart TV, two sofas, an armchair, a bookcase and French doors opening out onto the garden.

From the entrance hall, you are led into a spacious open-plan kitchen with a large kitchen island, breakfast stools, Lacanche range cooker, gas hob, extractor fan, butlers sink, plenty of cabinets for storage and a second Rayburn oven.

There is a fantastic dining room / conservatory with a dining table and chairs for 12 people, a sofa, two armchairs and a Sonos speaker system. This space benefits from two sets of French doors opening out onto the rear garden patio, a lovely area for relaxing in the warmer months.

A ratio of five bath/shower rooms to seven bedrooms allows all guests a good degree of privacy.

Up the main staircase from the entrance hall, there is the main bedroom to the right with king size bed, bedside tables, chaise longue, chest of drawers, built-in wardrobes and extensive countryside views from two large windows. There is a secret staircase here leading up to a spacious en-suite with a roll-top bath, walk-in shower, a double sink, storage cupboards and WC.

Along the upstairs hallway, the first bedroom on the left lends itself perfectly to a children’s bedroom with a bunk bed and single bed, bookcase, built-in storage and children’s toys.

Further along on the left is a double bedroom with a built-in wardrobe, bedside table, armchair and views of the front garden and ponds at the front of the property.

At the end of the corridor is the final bedroom with a chest of drawers, bedside table, armchair and en-suite with walk-in shower, wash basin, heated towel rail and WC.



Towards the rear of the house and just off the conservatory dining area there is a downstairs WC and snug living room with leather sofa, armchair, smart TV, wood burner and French doors out to the garden, a great space to cosy up, read a book or watch a film.

There is a utility room with a washing machine, tumble dryer, butlers sink, ironing board, hoover and mop.

Up the small staircase from here, there is a cosy bedroom on the left with exposed floorboards, a double bed, a chest of drawers, a bedside table and a storage cupboard.

Across the landing, there is a bedroom on the right is a single bed, built-in wardrobe and bedside table. Between these two bedrooms is a wet room with WC, walk-in shower, heated towel rail and wash basin.

Up the second flight of stairs, there is a third bedroom with a double bed, bedside tables, storage shelves and an en-suite bathroom with roll top bath, heated towel rail, wash basin and WC,


Outside there is an extensive garden to explore, a large patio, outdoor furniture, a natural swimming pond and a tennis court - a perfect space for relaxing and rejuvenating in the summer months.

This is a remote area of Suffolk. While there are good local pubs you will need to drive to them, taxi service is limited to station runs, home delivery is non-existent, prepare to cook. This property is mostly self-contained and has been designed to host large parties of family and friends. The kitchens are well stocked and large enough to cater for large groups. The Barns, reached across a sheltered courtyard from the main house, have been designed with the elderly and handicapped in mind.
There is an alarm system and closed-circuit TV but of exterior areas only.
Pets are welcome but please bear in mind that the grounds, ponds and local wood are full of wildlife with many species of bird using the area for nesting. We therefore kindly ask you to keep control of your dogs while walking in the grounds.
There are 4 ponds in the grounds. Infants and small children need to be monitored at all times when outside.