The original manor house on the moated site to the south of the village of Rushbrooke is believed to have been constructed in the reign of King John.

[1] The older manor was largely demolished and remodeled in the mid-16th century by Sir Thomas Jermyn, to be replaced by a red brick, two storey building in the Tudor style.

The entrance to the house was through an impressive central porch built of Barnack stone and decorated with armorial achievements.

The moated stately home was at the centre of a large ornamental garden and a parkland estate.

[1] The Jermyn family exercised considerable influence in Suffolk and Elizabeth I is recorded as having stayed at the house in 1578 and on at least one other occasion.