DATING from around 1790, and originally the local rectory, Beaumont House is a fine seven- bedroom Georgian house in the hamlet of Beaumont-cum-Moze, near Thorpe-le-Soken.
Having only changed hands twice in the past 70 years, its rare Grade II listing reflects the fact that it retains its original character and fine period features to a quite exceptional degree.
“We had been living in the area for four or five years, and with three young daughters we really needed more space,” recalls Jules Woods, who bought the house in 2009.
“We were already familiar with the house, as it has provided the setting for the village fete for many years, so when we heard it might be coming up for sale, we jumped at the chance – although we first had to satisfy the previous owner that we would treat the house with the respect and sensitivity it deserved.”
On the day that Jules took delivery of the keys, the local listed building officer toured the property with him, marvelling at its exceptionally unspoilt condition.
Of particular note is the striking cantilevered principal staircase, complete with mahogany handrail and decorative mouldings, which climbs in graceful curves all the way up to the second floor.
Other features include original boarded floors, deep skirting boards, decorative ceiling cornices, tall sash windows with working internal shutters, Victorian cast iron radiators and fine fireplaces throughout.
While the house had clearly been much loved over the years, it was in need of a considerable amount of sensitive restoration and necessary modernisation, including complete re-wiring and re-plumbing, together with the installation of new bathrooms and a new fitted kitchen/breakfast room. Structurally, the house was in remarkably good condition, but the entire interior had to be refurbished and redecorated.
All the work was carried out by local craftsmen with the greatest sensitivity and attention to detail.
“We were determined not to compromise the essential character of the house in any way,” added Jules.
Elegance
This approach was typified by the extraordinary care taken in reinstating the original kitchen floor, which involved lifting and numbering each individual flagstone, acid-cleaning them, and then carefully replacing them in exactly the same order – but with the added benefit of underfloor heating.
Not surprisingly, the entire restoration project took over two years, but it was time, effort and money well spent. Today, Beaumont House is a simply stunning property, its classical Georgian elegance gloriously intact.
The beautifully proportioned family accommodation is spread over three floors and includes seven bedrooms – several with attractive cast-iron fireplaces – three bathrooms and four reception rooms, including elegant formal drawing and dining rooms with ornate fireplaces housing wood-burning stoves.
The kitchen/breakfast room is beautifully fitted in French oak, and includes a four oven oil-fired Aga.
There is also a fully-equipped utility room, a boot room and a ground floor cloakroom/WC, while a rear hall provides access to extensive cellars and an enclosed rear courtyard.
Outside, the house is approached via impressive timber gates leading to a shingled front drive with extensive parking and turning area.
To the rear is a range of stables and other outbuildings. The house itself is surrounded by formal gardens including a south-facing terrace, sweeping lawns, flower and shrub borders, all shaded by magnificent specimen trees, including a rare Mexican pine.
Elsewhere there is a productive kitchen garden, a swimming pool, a wildlife pond and extensive paddocks – in all totalling some 8½ acres.
Community
Living here for the past six years has been very special, says Jules. “To have custody of such a magnificent old house, and to know that we have done our level best to bring it back to its former glory, has been a real privilege. It’s a truly wonderful place.
“Our girls have so much space to wander and play in, catching butterflies, watching the wildlife and helping to feed our chickens and geese. It has given them an absolutely idyllic childhood.”
The eldest daughter has even begun to show an interest in Jules’s own lifelong passion for bee-keeping, he adds.
What makes living in Beaumont House even more special, says Jules, is the fact that the annual fete puts the house at the very heart of the community.
“In return for the privilege of living in a house like this, it’s important to uphold such local traditions. It’s a proper country fete, with traditional games and sideshows – great fun for all the family and very popular. People even come from surrounding villages.”
As for Jules himself, the rural peace and seclusion provides the perfect foil to his daily commute into Liverpool Street from nearby Thorpe-le-Soken – a journey which takes just 80 minutes.
“I leave the City, and come back to a completely different world – one with a different pace of life and traditional community values. It’s absolutely magical.”
Yet at the same time, he adds, this idyllic rural setting belies the fact that the house is also just a 10-minute drive from the Walton Backwaters – a unique area of tidal inlets and marshland excellent for sailing and rich in wildlife, including seals.
Now, however, after six years, it is time to move on again – time for another family to enjoy the privilege of looking after this magnificent old house, which is for sale through Jackson-Stops Staff, with a guide price of £1.95 million.