Our first glimpse of Nedging Hall was through lush grass speckled with wildflowers and bluebells, mature trees lining the driveway, and a gunpowder grey April sky. Nestled in over 80 acres of parkland, the hall itself, painted 'Suffolk pink', is as warm and inviting as it is impressive and elegant, making you feel both at ease and eager to explore, rain or not.
This gem of a country house is at the heart of Nedging Hall Estate at Nedging Tye, a family run group of local hospitality businesses, which includes Suffolk’s oldest brewery, two pubs, and a 3AA Rosette awarded hotel and restaurant.
The first appearance of Nedging Hall in records is the late 15th century, towards the end of the War of the Roses. For the past 30-plus years it has been owned by the Buckle family, with eldest grandson Charlie now in the driving seat.
The hall was beautifully redecorated in 2021 after its resident, Charlie’s grandmother, passed away. It's now available for private hire, making it a magical, unique setting for weekend retreats with family or friends, parties, birthday celebrations and reunions.
What struck me about the estate was how well it had been planned around an ethos of sustainability. Wherever possible, produce grown in the kitchen garden at Nedging Hall is used to provide ingredients for the pubs, and part of a 1,000-year-old oak tree that was lost to a storm last year is being turned into furniture for the restaurants. Its trunk remains as a habitat for insects. These full circle examples are repeated throughout the estate and it's a joy to see and experience.
It was as we three couples were greeted and shown around our new home for the weekend, that I realised what a special place Nedging Hall really is. Each light-filled room felt cosy yet spacious, and while there was ample space for up to 26 guests, there was no sense of feeling overwhelmed.
With delight we explored, opening doors into a grand, ornate dining room, a quintessentially English drawing room with a roaring fire and beautiful paintings, and a well-stocked modern kitchen complete with a range cooker, dishwashers (plural), generous pantry space and a top-notch coffee machine. A sweeping staircase led to two floors of bedrooms – beautifully furnished with antiques, super king beds and soft white towels – and more bathrooms than I could count.
On the first floor we found our very own wood-panelled, Cluedo-style billiards room, complete with a full-sized snooker table, playing cards, chess, bagatelle, and a small study tucked away for anyone unfortunate enough to need it.
We sank into deep sofas in the drawing room for drinks and nibbles, as our delicious supper heated in the oven, made and delivered by the chef from one of the estate owned pubs. Well worth shouting about; not only was it fantastic food, but a real luxury to have access to private chefs and excellent pubs to help cater for any occasion.
After a very comfortable night, the sun peeped through the morning clouds and we delighted in investigating the immaculate gardens. Terraces surround the hall, with outdoor seating for 30 guests, an enormous barbecue, sun loungers and optimistic sunshades.
We looked out onto formal gardens and wide sweeping parkland beyond. As well as the walled kitchen garden and greenhouses, which supply food for the pubs, there's a tennis court and salt water indoor heated swimming pool for those looking for some activity. Exploring deeper into the garden, a tranquil lake, stream and Japanese garden provide a haven both for wildlife and unusual plants, as well as guests seeking peace and quiet.
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As if this weren’t enough, around 100 meters from the hall sits the Suffolk Barn, a generously sized and adaptable space for celebrations, from birthday parties to conferences. The joy of the Suffolk Barn is that it really is a blank canvas; it could be elegantly laid for a glamorous lunch, adorned with lights for a dance, or transformed into a winter wonderland for a Narnia themed party.
It really does have it all - a rare combination of a space that has been beautifully finished, well stocked with everything you might need and a charm that makes you feel at home. Nedging Hall is generously hosted, with none of the rules and regulations that you might expect from such a special venue. As we were told on our arrival, ‘don’t burn it down, but go wild’!
nedginghallestate.co.uk
