Purton Green, Suffolk: 13th-Century Timber-Framed Hall-House
Purton Green is a stunning thatched and timbered building in Suffolk, inside its medieval walls survives a hall from 1250, a great rarity.
Labelled a '“extremely rare survival,” the 770-year-old structure is open to the public as a holiday home.
Aisled on both sides, with scissor-braced trusses and a highly ornamental arcade at the low end, it must once have been an important place.
With the oldest parts dating from before the Black Death, holidaying in this ancient thatched farmhouse is like stepping through a portal into the middle ages.
Today, eating in this unheated ancient hall casts you back many centuries, it is an evocative place enhanced by your arrival on foot.
Saved by The Landmark Trust, it stands surrounded by fields, with unchanging Suffolk countryside in all directions.
Purton Green was one of Landmark Trust’s earliest acquisitions, and one of which they have always been especially proud.
Not only is it the sole survivor from one of Suffolk’s many lost villages, it is an extremely rare survival in itself – the core of a mid 13th-century timber-framed hall-house.
When the Trust bought it in 1969, it was little more than a ruin.
As with almost all medieval houses, a floor and central chimney stack had later been inserted, but these additions were so derelict that they felt justified in removing them, to return the hall to its original open state.
Part of the house, the high end, was rebuilt in about 1600.
The Landmark Trust’s conversion of this end into living quarters in the 1970s has now also become a part of the building’s history.
These can only be reached through the hall, which you must cross and recross if you stay here, as your predecessors have done for 750 years.
Before restoration, the structure was originally used as a farm house.
Despite being a medieval building, Purton Green comes fully equipped to modern standards, with the kitchen having an electric cooker, a dishwasher and a microwave.
Upstairs, the single bathroom offers a comfortable panel bath, which offers a view out of an impressive window framed in ancient wood.
However, the true gem in this house's crown is the double-height main hall, which is a sight to behold, paved with flagstones and offering incredible views up into the rafters of the building.
Writing on TripAdvisor, someone who recently stayed here said: “Once again The Landmark Trust have excelled themselves with this wonderful building and location.
”It was such a rewarding experience walking up the field pushing my wheelbarrow when the building slowly appears through the trees.
”This was such an enchanting experience to be transported back in time almost 800 years , absolutely amazing!”
Another person added: “We found the accommodation to be excellent and extremely interesting.
”We were in no way put off by the 500 metre walk to it, made especially easy by the walk being flat and by the use of wheelbarrows. It also gave the place a very agreeable remoteness.
”The only possible improvement we would like would be the provision of a shower instead of, or as well as, a bath.
”Overall, we were very tempted to give a 5 star rating.”
A short history of the structure
About 1270 - 80: A new house is built, possibly by Walter de Priditon, Steward to the Earl Marshal, who held the manor of Priditon or Purton Hall in 1275.
The house was timber- framed, with a thatched roof, its central open hall about thirty feet long.
An open truss, strengthened by passing-braces, stood half way along to support the roof.
The rafters continued beyond the main posts to cover 'aisles' on either side, making the hall nearly as wide as it was long.
An open hearth stood in the southern half, and smoke escaped through vents at one or both ends of the main ridge of the roof.
A second, 'closed', truss at the north or low end of the hall formed a partition between it and a probably two-storey end bay, with pantry and buttery on the ground floor and sleeping space above.
In the lower part of this partition was an arcade of six arches, three blind and three with doors.
At the south or high end of the hall there may also have been private rooms for the owner's family, but evidence for them has been lost in later rebuilding.
About 1400 - 50: Outer walls were rebuilt some two feet inside the old for greater height, reducing the width of the aisles, and of the outer arches of the arcade in the low end partition.
The north end upper floor was rebuilt and extended with a jetty, and the roof altered to give more headroom.
About 1600: Purton Green was a farmhouse, if a prosperous one.
A floor is inserted into the open hall, and a chimney built just south of the central truss. A new front door enters to a lobby beside the chimneystack.
The entire south end is rebuilt, with a parlour on the ground floor, which had a projecting oriel window. As at the north end, the first floor area was increased by means of a jetty.
18th century: From before 1780 until the late 19th century, Purton Green Farm was occupied by the Pratts.
Gradual updating of the interior, walls were re-plastered, new fireplaces installed, front doorcase and door, and windows were added.
The chimney was added at the north end. A wing added on north-east corner is not shown on the 1840 Tithe Map, so this is presumably later.
In 1969, it was lovingly restored by The Landmark Trust and later opened as a holiday home.
Purton Green stands in a peaceful spot, surrounded by fields and the Suffolk countryside. It is close to the village of Stansfield, which you can explore with a short circular walk.
The village of Long Melford, where you will find Kentwell Hall, is about 20 minutes away by car.
Visit this fine Tudor mansion, with its extensive gardens and rare breeds farm, and also experience the special costumed events that are staged here regularly.
Ickworth House, near to the picturesque market town of Bury St Edmunds, is a great day out, too.
Marvel at its impressive Rotunda, full of priceless treasures, and its Italianate garden, the first to be created in England.
After crossing a ford, you leave your car 400 yards from the house; but the Landmark Trust provides a wheelbarrow for the rest of the journey!
Arriving on foot at this ancient place is a stirring experience (although maybe for different reasons if it is raining and late).
If you’d like to book a stay here, you can check availability via the Landmark Trust website.
It’s usually quite popular in the summer months, so it’s wise to book a few weeks in advance.
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