An ancient Elizabethan hotel in Suffolk is being offered up for sale with a price tag of £7.5m.

Hintlesham Hall Hotel and Spa - which is Grade 1 listed - is set in 7.8 hectares at Ipswich and dates back in parts to the 14th century.

It is set in the heart of the Suffolk countryside, close to Constable Country and has built a reputation as one of the pre-eminent hotels in East Anglia, said agents Christie and Co.

It includes 32 luxury en suite bedrooms, as well as function and spa facilities.

Established for centuries as a beacon of hospitality, the hotel was propelled to new heights in 1971 under the ownership of American writer, chef and cookery school owner Robert Carrier OBE.

He made Hintlesham Hall known across the world with his TV shows Carrier & Friends and Carrier’s Kitchen which were filmed at the hotel. The series was spun into bestselling cookery courses and books.

In 1983, the hotel was sold to fellow cookery writer Ruth Watson who undertook an extensive refurbishment and expansion programme.

Mrs Watson - who achieved TV fame in series such as The Hotel Inspector and Country House Rescue - made it into as a four-star establishment.

The family which now owns it substantially upgraded the facilities and expanded the range of services on offer to guests - widening the hotel’s customer base.

Planning permission has been secured for a self-contained function suite and listed building consent has been granted for an enhanced spa development to the rear of the Coach House.

But the family said it now feels the time is right to step back and hand over to new owners to further develop and enhance the highly successful business.

Current owner Has Modi expressed mixed emotions at parting with the property.

“While it is of course sad to be selling a business with which we have been involved with for many years, now is the right time," he said.

"The business is well positioned with value enhancement opportunities for a new owner. Most importantly we would like to thank the staff, with whom we have shared this memorable journey, for their hard work and dedication over the years.”

Christie & Co regional director Ed Bellfield - who was brought up in Suffolk - is leading the sales process.

“Hintlesham Hall Hotel evokes such affection from country house hotel guests and operators," he said.

"The beautiful setting of the Grade I Listed building offers so much more by way of a range of asset management opportunities to extend and develop the range of services at the property. The reputation and success of the business is testament to the continued re-investment and family stewardship over recent decades, combined with its enviable location.

"We wish Has well on his retirement and the closing of a long-established chapter.”

The hotel is being sold freehold off a guide price of £7,500,000.