Chelston Hall East of England

A Suffolk beauty for the perfect party

With pink wisteria-clad walls, oak-panelled billiards room and croquet on the lawn, Chelston Hall is exactly as a Suffolk country house should be. And with a 15m natural salt indoor pool, Sonos sound system and a double barbecue with outside seating for over 20, it’s also just the place for a party with your friends or family.

As you sweep up the drive, make a note to explore the grounds at the first opportunity. Once inside, take over the drawing room, throwing open the double doors to the terrace in the summer or throwing a log on the fire in winter, before settling down for a movie on the 50-inch screen. Escape to the snug and lose yourself in a book from the shelves, before prepping lunch in the country kitchen on the four-oven, eight-burner Lacanche range. Serve it beneath original beams in the dining room and if everyone descends, spill into the adjacent dining hall where there’s room for 10 more.

Time for a mini tournament: billiards in that quintessential billiards room, ping pong in the barn, and tennis and croquet in the grounds. Throw chess in for the more cerebral and if it’s a dead heat, set up a swimming challenge decider. The pool house has ample room for spectators and afterwards everyone can chill, cranking up the sound system, flopping onto loungers and dipping in and out of the pool and sauna.

Ready for the outside tour? With 80 acres, there’s space for the old Suffolk Punch stables and paddocks, a productive herb and vegetable garden, four-season flower gardens, and mature trees that break up sweeping lawns. There’s also a koi carp pond, a 140m long ha-ha and a stunning Japanese garden. Whether you seek space and solitude in nature or fun and games with a crowd, the outdoor spaces at Chelston Hall deliver in abundance.

Back inside, the traditionally British warmth and style of the interiors flows to the upper floors, where 9 bedrooms with versatile zip-and-link beds offer sleepful bliss for any combination of guests (the ground floor snug can also be converted into a sleeping space for two).

This Suffolk retreat comes alive when it’s filled with guests; the house and the grounds all designed for you to enjoy magical moments with friends and family.

Selected by Gareth

Learn more about our handpicking process

What we think

This fantastic country house is situated in the heart of a 5,000 acre estate, surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside. The interiors are full of charm with plenty of space and facilities inside and out for family and friends to enjoy, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Gareth, Big House Experience

Gallery

Highlights Grounds Facilities Living Spaces Kitchen and Dining Bedroom Bathrooms All

Exterior

Indoor Pool

Reception Room

Bedroom

Lake

Games Room

Terrace

List of Bedrooms & Floor Plans (PDF)

What to Expect

We’ve tried to think about everything to make your stay at Chelston Hall just perfect. In all of our large houses to rent, we provide all the essential features to cater for a family group. Here’s a list of all the practical provisions we have at the house. If there’s anything you can’t see here but need, just ask as we’ll see what we can do.

Luxury bed linen, bath towels and separate pool towels
Well-equipped kitchen including Lacanche range cooker, hob, 2 dishwashers plus plenty of fridge and freezer space
Dining table that seats up to 16 guests comfortably in the grand timber-framed hall plus an additional table in the adjacent dining hall that seats a further 10 guests
Terrace with three teak tables for up to 30 guests for al fresco dining
Two Smart TVs on the ground floor with Sky and Netflix
Sonos sound system
Free Wi-Fi
Games room with full-sized billiards table
Table tennis table in a small barn near the pool
Indoor, heated, natural salt swimming pool (15m x 6m) in a separate building with sauna, his and hers showers, changing rooms and music system
Tennis court (racquets and balls provided)
Croquet lawn
Gas BBQ (gas provided)
Fire pit (logs provided)

Location

Set in beautiful private parkland in the rolling Suffolk countryside, about half an hour’s drive west of Ipswich.

House FAQs

What are the check in and check out times?

Check in is at 4pm on the day of your arrival and check out is at 10am.
How many cars can park at the property?

There is ample parking for up to 50 cars at Chelston Hall.
Are pets allowed?

Well-behaved dogs are allowed at Chelston Hall. Dogs are not allowed upstairs or on soft furnishings.
Are children welcome?

Children are very welcome at Chelston Hall. 2 travel cots and 2 highchairs are available on request (please bring your own cot linen). Please note, parents should supervise children at all times due to the swimming pool, pond and lake.
Are stag and hen parties allowed?

Yes, stag and hen parties are accepted at Chelston Hall.
Can I arrange a supermarket delivery to the house?

Yes, you can order online with Morrisons or Waitrose for a delivery direct to the house. We usually suggest booking a delivery for after 4pm on the day of arrival.
Can you recommend any local places to eat out?

Yes, we'd recommend the following pubs and restaurants, all within a 15 minute drive of the property (click on the links below):

The Bildeston Crown

3 x AA Rosette awarded restaurant (2 minute drive or 20 minute walk from the property).

The Lindsey Rose

Beautiful oak-beamed, 500 year old country pub (5 minute drive from the property).

The Marquis

Fine dining restaurant with panoramic views (15 minute drive from the property).

Number Ten Lavenham

Cosy wine bar and kitchen serving small plates to suit a range of budgets (15 minute drive from the property).

The Greyhound Lavenham

Historic English inn for comfortable, casual and refined dining (15 minute drive).
How many guests can sit at the dining table?

The dining table in the timber-framed dining room seats up to 16 guests. There is an additional dining table in the adjacent dining hall that seats up to 10 guests.
Will you hold a damage deposit during our stay?

Yes, we ask to hold a cautionary deposit of £1,500 during your stay at Chelston Hall. This is requested just two weeks prior to your stay, and is returned shortly after, assuming no damage to the property or its contents (see our Booking T&Cs for more information).
What is the nearest train station?

The nearest train stations are Stowmarket (10 miles) or Ipswich (14 miles).
What is the nearest airport?

The nearest airport is Stansted (43 miles). There is also a small airfield at Elmsett for small aircraft (5 miles).
How do I book?

You can check availability and pricing and place your booking request online, or by calling our team on 01242 352 747.

When booking, we ask for a deposit of 33% of the total price, with the balance due 12 weeks prior to your stay (or the full balance when booking within 12 weeks of your stay).