Listed Building: BRANDESTON HALL (285790)

TM 26 SW BRANDESTON OLD MAIDS LANE 9/18 Brandeston Hall 25.10.51 GV II* Former manorial mansion, now a school. Original house c.1550 for Andrew Revett: only the east wing and entrance porch survive from the fire of 1847; remainder rebuilt 1848 (dated rainwater heads) for Charles Austin, lawyer and head of the Parliamentary Bar. Red brick with diapering in dark headers; plaintiled roof. Neo Tudor style; L shape asymmetrical plan. The north facade of the main range has slightly projecting gabled wings and the ground floor is set forward with a moulded brick cornice; later single storey additions to right hand side. 2 storeys and attic. Stone mullion and transom casement windows. 2 storey gabled entrance porch with octagonal corner buttresses surmounted by moulded brick pinnacles with stone caps; doorway with 2-centre moulded stone arch, hoodmould with carved spandrels, C19 door; over the doorway an inscription in Latin recording the acquisition of the Hall by Framlingham College in 1949. Stone eaves cornice, flat parapet with one attic gable each side of entrance; all gables have moulded brick pinnacles with stone caps. Several good groups of circular flues with moulded brick enrichment. East wing has original stone newel stairs; library (east wing) with C19 richly coloured ceiling with roll-moulded joists and 4-centre arch stone fireplace with elaborate carved wooden chimneypiece (probably imported); masters' common room with imported C17 panelling, good overmantel and ornamental plaster ceiling; headmaster's study with similar panelling and overmantel and ceiling with painted portraits of 24 famous men; good C19 wooden staircase with richly painted ceiling over; ornamental plaster ceilings to White Hall and dining hall; a further good fireplace in the games room. Extension to west added 1967, not of special interest. Listing NGR: TM2474660220