Property editor, Caroline Culot, visits one of the most architecturally unique properties in East Anglia.
This August will be, incredibly, my 10th year to the month in this job and yet in all those years I've probably only revisited the same property for this three page feature a handful of times - proving that people really don't move that often from large homes over the course of a decade.
I was absolutely delighted to be asked to view this grand Beccles house again, the last time being when it was for sale in March, 2009 with the same agent.
St Peter's House is, without doubt, one of the most architecturally interesting and unique properties in East Anglia and remains just as stunning today as it did seven years ago.
Let's talk about its architecture first. From the front, it occupies a commanding position in the centre of town, a majestic Georgian fronted townhouse with its symmetrical sash windows - but its rear white stucco section and rounded 'towers' is quite different and created as a 'little Gothic castle' in the style of the Strawberry Hill home of Sir Horace Walpole, the son of the first British prime minister.
The house stands on the original site of St Peter's Chapel built in the 11th century (hence its name) with additions over several centuries including a 16th century cottage, the stucco rear which houses the drawing room and dining room and the Georgian grandiose front facade.
So you can enjoy several hundred years' worth of architectural variety all in one house.
Considered to be of enormous architectural importance giving it its Grade I listing, St Peter's House offers glimpses of its oldest origins in the form of part of the flint foundations visible and preserved as a feature in the hall and the 'towers' are believed to have formed the transepts or apses jutting out from either side of a nave forming a cross shape.
These now form two of the most stunning rooms of the house at the rear; the drawing and dining rooms, overlooking the gardens which go all the way down to the river.
They both have full length sash windows with some 11th century stained glass depicting images of St Peter and various coats of arms and both have working fireplaces and original shutters.
The dining room is utterly incredible with Venetian Gothic alcoves, an intricate ribbed vaulted ceiling and a magnificent fire mantel. The property also incorporates a 16th century cottage, which fronted Puddingmoor before the front section of the house you now see was added in the 18th century.
You enter directly off the street into the Georgian section of the house with a lovely wide reception hall complete with a fireplace and off left is one of the current vendor's favourite rooms, a panelled sitting room with a secret door through to the next room and alcove.
There is a good sized country kitchen quite different in style again from the Georgian front of the house and then you walk through to a marvellous galleried rear hallway with a Victorian mosaic tiled floor.
An elaborate staircase takes you to a stunning galleried landing and there are seven bedrooms over two floors.
The current vendor has of course made some cosmetic changes; gone are the rich painted red wall and Regency yellow and greens but otherwise everything is just as impressive as all those years ago.
Sadly the weather was far too inclement on my visit to explore the garden in detail but there is a lovely rear lawn which goes down to a private 70ft mooring as well as a courtyard with off street parking and a garage. Just as breathtaking as first time round.
• St Peter's House, Beccles is for sale for £825,000 with Musker McIntyre on 01502 710180.
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