A historic estate with "substantial" equestrian facilities and a new vineyard in a picturesque area on the Suffolk/Essex border has hit the market for £5.25m.

Dewlands Farm in Higham, in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), between Ipswich and Colchester, is being jointly marketed by sales agents at Savills and Strutt and Parker.

Thought to have been named after its medieval owners, and with original parts of the current farmhouse dating from the mid-16th century, the 225-acre property subsequently became part of the Higham Lodge Estate until its sale by auction in 1926.

Dewlands Farm in Higham, in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), is up for sale with a guide price of £5.25mDewlands Farm in Higham, in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), is up for sale with a guide price of £5.25m (Image: Chris Rawlings)

Today, the Grade II listed farmhouse has been fully restored, including three reception rooms, five double bedrooms and three bathrooms. 

To the south of the main house is a recently-built indoor lap pool with sauna and changing room, while the grounds also include an outdoor tennis court.

The equestrian facilities include a stable block providing nine loose boxes, a tack room, heated wash room, feed store and drying room together with a 60x40m arena, fully fenced paddock and one-bedroom stable flat.

Dewlands Farm in Higham, in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), is up for sale with a guide price of £5.25mDewlands Farm in Higham, in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), is up for sale with a guide price of £5.25m (Image: Chris Rawlings)

And at the northern end of the farm is a newly-established 12-acre vineyard with 18,450 vines, consisting of 10,000 Chardonnay and 8,450 Pinot Noir.

There is also a range of refurbished and converted farm buildings providing a home office alongside garaging and storage.

Property agent William Hargreaves, who leads the rural agency team for Savills in the East of England and is based in the firm’s Suffolk office, said the sale would appeal to buyers who want an amenity farm with additional income streams in an idyllic location.

“Located down a 400m drive and enjoying picturesque views over the surrounding farmland and woodland, Dewlands is a beautiful residential and equestrian farm in the heart of the renowned Stour Valley made famous by landscape artist John Constable,” he said.

"The main farmhouse has been refurbished to a very high standard, while the equestrian setup is as good as it gets and could be run in hand or operated as a separate business.

"The vineyard was planted earlier this year and also offers great potential for the establishment of a new venture in a prime location."

Dewlands Farm in Higham, in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), is up for sale with a guide price of £5.25mDewlands Farm in Higham, in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), is up for sale with a guide price of £5.25m (Image: Chris Rawlings)

Giles Allen, senior associate director for the eastern estates and farm agency department at Strutt and Parker, added: "Opportunities such as this come along very rarely and we are expecting strong interest.

"Together with the swimming pool, tennis court and barn facilities it should appeal to a family looking for a home in a private setting, with good connectivity to the rest of the area and into London."

Dewlands Farm in Higham, in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), is up for sale with a guide price of £5.25mDewlands Farm in Higham, in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), is up for sale with a guide price of £5.25m (Image: Chris Rawlings) Dewlands Farm in Higham, in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), is up for sale with a guide price of £5.25mDewlands Farm in Higham, in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), is up for sale with a guide price of £5.25m (Image: Chris Rawlings)