The Street, Swannington, Norwich, Norfolk, NR9

An elegant Old Rectory, with style and functionality, sitting in just under 2 acres of mature grounds, set in a quiet central Norfolk village convenient for Norwich and the coastline.

Description

The Old Rectories of Norfolk are surprisingly varied, with the quality of the Rectory determined by the Rector of the time, and how elaborate or conservative they wished to be, and the funds they had available.

Built for the Reverand Duncon, in 1635, the Grade II listed Old Rectory of Swannington is amongst the most impressive in Norfolk, both architecturally and in scale. It was believed that the funds to build such a notable Rectory were derived from the royalties of the lyrical manuscripts of the poet, and later priest, George Herbert. It was later extended in 1841. The two architectural periods combine to great effect, with shuttered sash windows, stepped gables, parapets and impressive chimney stacks, and plenty of further detail.

Whilst the house is a magnificent one to look at externally, it is also an elegant and functional house to live in. The tone is set by the entrance hall, with the classic yorkstone flooring and splendid staircase. This leads into the formal room, but with the yorkstone continuing to an inner hall leading to the day to day rooms. Two particular fine rooms are the dining room and drawing room, with wide double doors between the rooms that can be opened to create an open plan living space that’s perfect for entertaining. Both rooms have marble fireplaces, tall ceilings, with a bay window in the drawing room. A comfortable sitting room hosts another marble fireplace with clearview woodburner, together with alcove shelving and cabinets, whilst the study is a great size and fulfils the country home studio requirement of being able to see who is coming and going. The kitchen/breakfast room is the ideal family focal point, open plan with distinctive blue Aga, and lovely views out to the gardens, which can be accessed directly onto a patio from the breakfast area. A useful larder adjoins the kitchen, as does the essential utility room. The house also has a cellar.

A light filled staircase leads to the first floor, with a central landing linking all rooms. The principal bedroom is a wonderful room, with built in wardrobes and a spacious adjoining bathroom with an internal exposed mullion window from the original 1635 building. At the opposite end of the house is the guest bedroom with en suite bathroom, with a further two double bedrooms and single bedroom served by the family bath/shower room. A further staircase leads up to the second floor, a significant space in its own right, providing a brilliant adaptability to the house. This floor hosts a further two bedrooms and bathroom, and a self-contained flat with kitchen/dining area and bedroom with en suite bathroom, useful for a nanny, or teenager’s ‘digs’. A fantastic family/games room can also be found on the second floor, measuring about 13m long and which could be utilised in many different ways.

Outside
The Old Rectory stands well in the village, within just under two acres of mature grounds. The house has the benefit of two entrances, in and out, with gravel drives sweeping up to the house and providing a fitting approach. There is plenty of gravelled parking, which continues to the side of the house and everyday parking area, thus preserving the aesthetic of the arrival.

To the south of the house is an attractive Coach House, a substantial building of two floors incorporating hay loft, garage and stables. The building is one that sets the imagination running as to how it can be used, and will be able to fulfil many personal requirements such as studio, gym, annexe or holiday cottage, pending gaining the necessary planning consent. Adjoining this is a traditional machinery store and stable, whilst a further line of buildings adjoining the house provide a garden room and store rooms.

The gardens of The Old Rectory have a maturity that complement the house. The formal gardens are to the east, with herbaceous beds and particularly well stocked rose beds providing vibrant annual colour, together with snowdrops and daffodils in the spring. These beds frame the wide lawns that sweep down to the south, to an orchard and on to a large pond. A terrace on the east of the house is open to the south and therefore a lovely area for outside dining and entertaining, with a brick weave courtyard to the south of the house providing another area to enjoy, a real sun trap. The buildings of The Old Rectory are softened by shrubs, carefully placed flower beds, and an array of clipped climbing roses. Along the boundaries and dotted within the grounds are many fine trees, including beech, yew, a fine Mulberry, magnolia, silver poplars and American Oak.

Location

The small and unspoilt village of Swannington is situated in an area of open countryside about 10 miles to the north of Norwich, the Cathedral city and regional centre of East Anglia, which is renowned for its excellent shopping and cultural facilities. There is an airport to the north of the city, within easy access of the house, with most international destinations available via Schiphol.

The picturesque market town of Aylsham, about eight miles has some fine Georgian architecture and a traditional market square where a local farmers market is regularly held. The town has excellent shopping facilities and adjoins the Blicking Estate in the care and ownership of the National Trust.

Holt, another picturesque North Norfolk town with excellent shopping facilities and renowned as the home of Gresham’s public school, is about 14 miles. The North Norfolk coast at Cley-next-the-Sea is approximately a further three miles to the north of Holt.

Langley prep only 4 miles from the house, with Beeston Hall preparatory school is also situated nearby at Beeston Regis between Sheringham and Cromer. Much of the North Norfolk coast is classified as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and there are excellent walks, sandy beaches and bird watching facilities. The pretty small town of Reepham is approximately three miles.

Square Footage: 6,586 sq ft


Acreage: 1.87 Acres

Additional Info

Services
Mains water, electricity, private treatment plant. Oil central heating. Burglar alarm.

Local Authority
Broadland District Council
Council Tax Band H

Fixtures & Fittings
All fixtures and fittings including fitted carpets and curtains are specifically excluded from the sale, but may be available in addition, subject to separate negotiation.

Viewings
Strictly by appointment with Savills. If there is any point which is of particular importance to you, we invite you to discuss this with us, especially before you travel to view the property.