Grade II Listed, Sutherland House is one of the most ancient and historically interesting houses in Southwold, with a late medieval timber frame and 15th century structure and with an early 19th century facade. It is particularly noted for its heavily ornamented 17th Century plaster ceilings which were reputedly installed when The Duke of York (later James II) made his base here during the Anglo/ Dutch wars (1665-1674).

In Elizabethan times, this was the home of a wealthy merchant Thomas Camell, who gave his name to the adjacent 'Camel's Lane' , now called Victoria Street. The name 'Sutherland House' is relatively recent, dating from the 19th Century when it was the home of a retired Scottish surgeon, John Sutherland, who became one of the town's first mayors.

1896
Mary Anne Denny (Minnie) - Principal, Girls' Boarding School. (K1896). Mary Ann (age 33) is a daughter of William Denny, the tailor who runs Denny & Son at No 11 Market Place. Sutherland House is not just a conventional boarding school; it also bills itself as a "Seaside Home" to which "Delicate Children Requiring Sea Air [are] Received by the Week."

In addition to running a school, Minnie has a workshop creating what she calls 'Art Needlework' for sale.

Note: Although Kelly's records this as a Girls' Boarding School, it is clear from the school photos, right, that it also admits boys, at least as day pupils.

Mary Anne Denny (Minnie) - Principal, Girls' Day and Boarding School.

B Granville - Antiques, Oriental embroidery, jewellery dealer. At some time in the early 1920s, Minnie Denny closes her school and lets most of the ground floor to Mr B Granville who runs it as an antiques shop. Minnie continues to own the freehold and retains one room where she continues to run her 'Art Needlework' workshop. The artefacts she produces are sold in Granville's shop.(SCTG1922) See Joint Denny/Granville advertisement right.

After a time Mr Granville has a single-storey building constructed in the garden as Minnie's workshop, thus creating more space for his antiques.. See Garden Room.

1930
B Granville - Antiques and Curios (SPM1930, K1933, K1937, SRB1937).

1944
B Granville - Antiques and Curios (SRB1944)

Note: Anecdotal reports suggest that Minnie married Mr Granville in her 80s but probate records confirm that Minnie Denny remained a spinster all her life. However the two did apparently develop a close relationship. Granville appears to have acquired the freehold of the house from her and, not long afterwards, to have sold it. Minnie died in the Sun Nursing Home in Hotson Road in 1948.

1945
W T Windeler - Sutherland House Restaurant (SRB1945)

1953
W T Windeler - Sutherland House Restaurant and Tea Rooms (CSP1953, SRB1954)

W T Windeler - Sutherland House Restaurant and Tea Rooms (See Forum comment below)

1972
J S Jones - Sutherland House Restaurant (SER1972)

? Paul & Margaret Samaine - (Dates?)

1987
Mr & Mrs J P Wiggins - Sutherland House Restaurant. (SST1987)

Date?
Steven & Linda Cornell (Trading as Sole Bay Hospitality Ltd) - Sutherland House Hotel and Restaurant.

2000
Steven & Linda Cornell (Trading as Sole Bay Hospitality Ltd) - Sutherland House Hotel and Restaurant.(TTR2000)

2005
'Orangeree' - Carvery restaurant. The owners of this short-lived venture also opened a leatherwear shop in the Garden Room.

2006
Peter & Anna Banks - relaunch Sutherland House as a 'Boutique Hotel and High Qualty Restaurant'.

2014
Andy Rudd - The manager of Sutherland House takes over the ownership of the business in May this year. He runs it primarily as a seafood restaurant.