Glemham Hall being sold through Rightmove for £19 million

The 500-year-old Glemhall Hall Estate is being sold through property website Rightmove after the current owner - the son of Major Philip Hope-Cobbold - decided he wanted to move on from the 3,000-acre estate following his father's death in 2020.

The 16th-century property is described on Rightmove as 'one of Suffolk's most notable estates' and boasts 12 main bedrooms, seven main reception rooms, domestic offices, a lodge cottage and parkland, as well as six further cottages.

READ MORE: Why Suffolk should never forget the Cobbold dynasty

Col John 'Ivan' Murray Cobbold put up the money for Ipswich Town to become a professional club in 1936 (Image: Newsquest)The hall is famed for its grandeur, huge rooms and high ceilings, while the Elizabethan property also hosts numerous events in its grounds, including the FolkEast music festival and the Classics at Glemham car show, which was last staged in September.

The family's influence in Suffolk dates back to the mid-17th century and includes such notable figures as Col John 'Ivan' Murray Cobbold, who put up the money for Ipswich Town to become a professional club in 1936.

But the Cobbolds' influence with the club certainly didn't end there as in the succeeding years, Ivan's sons John and Patrick both served as chairmen of the club - the latter becoming synonymous with the most successful period in Town's history.

READ MORE: Gallery: What would you do if you inherited a 3,000-acre country estate from a late uncle? We ask the current owner of Glemham Hall

The late Philip Hope-Cobbold (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown)During his tenure, the club historically lifted the FA and UEFA cups - in 1978 and 1981 - finished runners-up twice in the old first division and provided the England national team with a new manager in Sir Bobby Robson.

The family are also known for the Tolly Cobbold brewery established by Thomas Cobbold during the 18th century, which continued brewing until early this century before being taken over by Ridley's Brewery, which itself was taken over by Greene King.

Another notable luminary of the dynasty was John Chevallier Cobbold, who was a treasurer of Ipswich and East Suffolk Hospital and Ipswich's MP from 1847 to 1868.

READ MORE: Classics at Glemham Car Show 2023 to return on September 3

The dock commissioner was also credited with kick-starting the development of Felixstowe, where he bought land and built a hotel.

The Classics at Glemham car show is held at the hall (Image: Classics at Glemham)Perhaps the most eccentric was John Cobbold, who during his two decade tenure as chair of Ipswich Town became known for the phrase "there is no crisis at Ipswich until the white wine runs out in the boardroom".

Tim Fagan, a director in the agency department at estate agents Strutt and Parker, which is marketing Glemham Hall, said the current owner wanted effectively to 'downsize' from running the estate, which costs a cool £150,000 a year to run and maintain.

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He said: "It has come to the end of an era for the family and they have decided to make a move.

The FolkEast Festival is held at Glemham Hall (Image: Newsquest)"The decision has been taken because it was inherited by the present owner from his late father, who died in 2020 and he does not want to own an estate.

"He wants to go in a different direction."

Mr Fagan added all events planned for this year at the hall would go ahead, but beyond that will depend on what the new owners have planned.

Becky Marshall-Potter, co-founder and organiser of FolkEast with husband John, pledged that the festival would continue despite the sale of the hall.

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She said: “It’s been a privilege to stage FolkEast at the great Glemham Hall estate for the last 11 years and to be part of its history.

"We have had many musical stars heading to Suffolk for the festival over the years but perhaps Glemham has been the biggest star of all, providing us with a perfect site which has proved part and parcel of the event’s popularity.

"Rest assured FolkEast 2024 will go ahead at Glemham this August and we hope as many people as possible will come to help us celebrate our 12th year at this special place.

"As for the future we are investigating various possibilities – but there’s no doubt that FolkEast will be continuing so watch this space”.