Leman House

Leman House is a 16th-century building with substantial later additions, situated on Ballygate in Beccles. It is a two-storey and attic structure with four dormers, and a frontage of approximately 75 feet, featuring seven windows with label mouldings and wooden four-centred arched heads, some of which are likely original to around 1762. A small porch at the rear has an ogee brick arched window with sash windows in a flush frame, displaying unusual glazing bars that echo the ogee curve, and is surmounted by a bell turret.

The front facade is constructed of worked flints with red brick headers, complemented by Suffolk yellow brick quoins and window jambs. Brick gable ends are corbelled at the eaves, and a wooden cornice with pointed arched enrichment above the bed mould enhances the architectural details. Two modern six-panel doors are housed within an 18th-century wooden case designed in a 16th-century style, featuring a four-centred wooden frame and a stone label moulding.

An inscription in slate, surrounded by stone moulding on the end wall, records that Sir John Leman, a London Alderman, founded the school in 1621, and that the building was refurbished under the direction of O Holmes and E Brooke, Portreeves of the Corporation and other governors of the charity, in 1762. A small contemporary tablet inside bears a Latin inscription confirming Sir John Leman's endowment in 1631, while an iron wall tie dates to 1670 on the north gable end. Sir John Leman's will of 1631 refers to a messuage being used as a schoolhouse on Ballygate.

Significant alterations were carried out in 1792, supported by records of the charity's administration, including minutes of meetings in 1762 and 1763 that detail alterations and additions planned by Charles Wright, costing approximately £272 16s 6d. These alterations included facing the front with flint and bonding with brick headers. In the 20th century, the house was converted back into a private residence, resulting in further internal modifications.