The best of the East

Four newly launched properties make East Anglia ever more alluring

- Penny Churchill

The Old Vicarage, Suffolk, dates from the 15th century. £1.5m.

THE persistent shortage of new country houses for sale in the Eastern counties was alleviated to some extent by the launch onto the market over Easter of an interesting mix of fine country properties in Norfolk and Suffolk, at prices ranging from $1.5 million to $3.75m.

Ben Rivett of Savills in Norwich (01603 229229) is handling the sale of the exquisite Elizabethan The Old Hall, which stands in 16 acres of magical gardens, paddocks and woodland on the edge of the picturesque conservation village of Saxlingham Nethergate, eight miles south of Norwich and 14 miles from Diss. He quotes a guide price of £2.75m for the Grade II*-listed former manor house, which dates from the early 1600s, with later additions. It was reputedly given to Anne of Cleves, fourth wife of Henry VIII, as part of an amicable divorce settlement.

Set against a backdrop of mature trees and hedges, the house stands on high ground overlooking the 14th-century church of St Mary and concealed by trees from the early 18th-century Old Rectory designed by Sir John Soane. Built on a classic E-plan, with a northern service wing and a 20th-century extension to the rear, The Old Hall has been beautifully restored and remains largely unchanged in plan from its original construction.

The main house offers 7,618sq ft of accommodation on three floors, including the wonderfully atmospheric Great Hall, with its 17th-century, oak-inlaid chimneypiece and panelled Queen Anne room, four reception rooms, large kitchen and breakfast room complete with servants' bells, principal bedroom suite with dressing, bath and shower rooms, eight further bedrooms and three bathrooms.