One of the most extraordinary houses in Suffolk, the grand Georgian facade of Wingfield College conceals a rare mediaeval survival: the remnants of a chantry college of priests, complete with a cloister walk and a Great Hall from 1362. It is part of the origins and history of education in England and a reflection of the great wealth and power of mediaeval East Anglia.

Now a private family home, the site of the old college is of rare historical and archaeological interest. It is associated with many important and colourful historical characters, including The Black Prince, Mary Tudor, Henry VIII and the de la Pole family (the Dukes of Suffolk and one of the most powerful families in mediaeval England).

It is one of the largest surviving timber-framed buildings of its type and age in Europe. Fascinating interiors include a spectacular galleried Medieval Great Hall (incorporating a Fourteenth Century queen-post truss with a Tudor cambered tie-beam); a corridor running behind the west range which formed part of the original 14th century cloister; and a mixture of Mediaeval, Tudor and Georgian rooms.

The unusual gardens include the eighteenth century carriage driveway, a William and Mary walled garden with radical modern planting, mediaeval fishponds, wild flower meadows, woodland walks, and a unique eccentric topiary garden on the site of the mediaeval courtyard.

Among numerous entries in historic and architectural reference books, Wingfield College has three stars in Simon Jenkins' bestselling guide: "England’s Thousand Best Houses". It has been featured in Country Life and Gardening Today.

For the last two years the University of East Anglia has been carrying out a research programme and archaeology programme at Wingfield College, including geophysics surveys and a digital reconstruction of the college in the late mediaeval period. Some of the fruits of this research will be visible to visitors this year. Eventually we intend to put a lot of extra information here on the website. This is part of UEA's ongoing Virtual Past project, in association with the School of History and the Centre for East Anglian Studies. It is also part of UEA's creativity research programme.

• In 2010 the house and gardens will be open to the public for pre-booked guided tours. Please click here for more details and the opportunity to book.

• By arrangement, some charities and local history groups will be visiting the College this year. If you run a group and would like to arrange a special visit please click here to contact us.

• Note: Students or Researchers with a particular interest in the architecture or history of Mediaeval Chantry Colleges are also very welcome to contact the College about arranging a visit. Please click here to contact us.

Wingfield College is a member of the Historic Houses Association