The front of Woolverstone House has classic Lutyens architecture, with a symmetrical design, cat-slide roof, red brickwork and signature oak-framed windows. "It was originally designed as a rest home for nuns in 1901 and for orphan girls from London," says owner Simon Marchant, who has lived there for a decade.
The 9,187-square-foot property has 10 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. The double-height vaulted drawing room used to be a chapel, complete with an altar, says Mr. Marchant. "The property makes a great family home," he adds. "We bought it privately and it hasn't been on the market as a home for at least 60 years."
The dining room has part double-height vaulted ceiling, double-height windows and a Portland stone fireplace. "We are very close to what they call an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so we have lots of lovely walks from the house and there's a big marina in the village for sailing enthusiasts," Mr. Marchant says.
The outdoor swimming pool sits in just over four acres of gardens. There is also an all-weather tennis court and a football pitch.
This wisteria-and-rose-covered pergola links two of the secluded gardens.
Woolverstone House is in the Suffolk village of Woolverstone. It is 5 miles from the town of Ipswich, and London is 90 minutes' drive or an hour by train from nearby Manningtree station. It will come onto the market later this month at £2.75 million ($4.2 million) through Strutt & Parker, an affiliate of Christie's International Real Estate.
