| Bruisyard Hall lies up a small tributary of the River Alde. Facing south, the house nestles
into the countryside, surrounded by meadows with a moat and fishponds to the rear. The parish of Bruisyard has a post office, church
and vineyard which has a tearoom and sells plants and wine. The coast is only 9 miles away
and contains a feast of choice, Aldeburgh with its fine hotels, Snape Maltings and the Aldeburgh Festival, Thorpeness the 1920's holiday resort with
Mere and 'House in the Clouds', Dunwich the city which has slipped into the sea, Minsmere the world famous bird reserve and Orford with
its castles and oysters - the list is almost endless.
The History: In 1354 a chantry was created here in what was previously the Manor of Roke Hall and in 1366 at the request of his son, Lionel, Duke of Clarence (brother to the Black Prince), Edward III transferred the manor to the order of the Poor Clares, a female Franciscan order. Lionel's mother in law, Maud, Countess of Ulster (great granddaughter of Henry III) then moved to Bruisyard where she remained until her death; she is considered to be the founder of the nunnery. In 1539 the nunnery was dissolved and assigned by Henry VIII to Sir Nicholas Hare who was succeeded by his son Michael who turned The Priory into a private house. During Mary's reign the Hare family prospered but under Elizabeth I their refusal to convert from Catholicism cost them dearly. The house contains a priest hole. after Michael's death in 1611, Bruisyard was given to his sister Ann who married Thomas Rous in whose family the house has remained. Occupancy: 20 people Price Code: A5(Christmas/New Year 2000) A4 14 people or less, A5 15-20 people Reference Code: RR/SU-009 
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Accommodation:
Hall, drawing room with fireplace, dining room, television room, very large breakfasting kitchen, cloakroom with WC, utility room. First Floor: Master bedroom with twin beds, dressing area and ensuite bathroom, a second twin bedroom with ensuite bathroom, 5 twin bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Second Floor: 1 twin bedroom and 1 bedroom with 4 single beds. Features: Microwave oven, dishwasher, washer/dryer, video, fireplace in drawing room. Oil central heating, very large gardens, and ample parking. Guests have use of the meadows surrounding the Hall and designated walks through 775 acres of land and Bruisyard Wood. Babysitting by arrangement. Dinner prepared by arrangement. For the benefit of guests, there is a housekeeper who resides in a self-contained wing of the Hall. Guest privacy will be respected at all times. Weekly bookings during mid-summer season. The A4 code will apply to Christmas/New Year. |
