Old Buckenham Hall

Happy Childhoods, Exceptional Futures…

"A traditional English prep school where children are allowed to be children for as long as possible... expected to climb trees, get muddy, tear around on their bikes and have adventures outside; lucky them."
— The Good Schools Guide

Set in 85 acres of idyllic Suffolk parkland, just 90 minutes from London, Old Buckenham Hall (OBH) offers a traditional yet future-facing countryside education for boarders and day pupils aged 2 to 13. OBH champions the belief that exceptional futures are rooted in the unhurried joy of a happy childhood.

On its phone-free grounds, digital distractions fade away, making room for tree climbing, muddy knees, and time-honoured traditions like Merchant Men—a legendary OBH strategy game so beloved that alumni of all ages regularly beg to return for just one more game. Yet, behind this picturesque rural backdrop lies an environment rich in academic ambition and co-curricular depth.

A non-selective school, OBH cultivates the intellect, character, and confidence required for future success. Backed by Rugby School, OBH acts as a stellar launchpad to Britain’s finest senior schools; in 2026, a graduating cohort of 26 pupils secured an extraordinary 21 scholarships to premier destinations including Radley, Rugby, Sedbergh, Oundle, and Uppingham, alongside places to Eton and Sevenoaks. Boarders also benefit from an exclusive pathway and a 10% fee reduction to Rugby School.

Co-curricular life thrives here too. In 2026, OBH’s U11 girls were crowned IAPS Regional Cricket Champions, the U13 boys placed in the UK Top 8 for Hockey, and pupils secured IAPS Clay Pigeon Gold medals. Tennis is part of daily life at OBH: named Suffolk’s LTA School of the Year (2024), specialist coaches deliver over 100 individual lessons a week and boarders continue to enjoy the game in their free time. OBH is delivering an ambitious ongoing investment programme, currently providing enhancements to the 9-hole golf course and transforming the swimming pool into an outdoor-in indoor facility. Creative arts flourish equally, with heavy ongoing investment into facilities supporting a team of 13 specialist music, dance, and drama teachers delivering over 200 individual lessons each week to over 70% of the student body.

Boarding sits at the school’s heart, earning OBH a Commended title for Boarding School of the Year 2026. Full, weekly, and flexi boarders enjoy evenings riding bikes across the grounds, playing cricket and tennis, or playing chess before retreating to boutique, interior-designed bedrooms. Warm and vibrant, OBH offers the ultimate home-from-home country upbringing.

Contact & Location:
Located in Brettenham in Suffolk, OBH is easily accessible from Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich, and London.

To arrange a visit or to discover more about joining OBH, please contact the admissions team:

Next Open Morning Friday 2nd October 10am

Head of Admissions: Lucy Dyson

Telephone: 01449 740252

Email: admissions@obh.co.uk

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