Property description

Sowerbys are delighted to offer this charming former farm workers cottage, idyllically positioned with stunning countryside views to the north within the hamlet of Gateley, in the very heart of rural mid-Norfolk. The cottage enjoys a calm and unfussy atmosphere, with a combination of tasteful decoration and high quality fittings, along with an abundance of natural light flooding in through the handsome elevations to the front and rear. The peaceful surroundings compound the sense of tranquillity within the cottage, which could be equally suitable for use as a full-time home for a couple/family or alternatively as a holiday retreat.



The vendors have undertaken an extensive programme of renovations. The bespoke, hand-made solid hardwood kitchen, modern bathroom, garden office/workshop and outside boiler are all recent additions.



The accommodation briefly comprises entrance hall, sitting room, a delightful 'eat-in' style bespoke, hardwood kitchen, utility room, conservatory and cloakroom on the ground floor; with three well-proportioned bedrooms and the recently improved bathroom reached from the first floor landing. The gardens are an exceptional feature, with a well sized rear lawn leading on to a shingle entertaining area.



At the very back of the garden, a gate opens out on to a neighbouring field from where the views, which include the sight of the 15th century church of St Helen, are truly breath-taking. To the front, there is a shingle parking area which has in the past accommodated up to three vehicles. Behind a wrought iron railing, there is a section of lawn which also incorporates three raised vegetable beds.  

GATELEY Gateley is a small hamlet set amidst some of the most outstanding countryside in Norfolk, only 3 miles from the gates of the Pensthorpe Nature Reserve. Close by are two very good primary schools at Stibbard and Brisley. Both locally renowned, Brisley has been rated 'Outstanding' by ofsted. The larger villages of Great Ryburgh and North Elmham are nearby to provide post offices, pubs, convenience stores and a doctor's surgery.



Gateley is ideally located to enjoy both town and coast. The north Norfolk coast is easily accessible, with Wells-next-the-Sea being just a 25 minute drive away. The beautiful cathedral city of Norwich with it's excellent shops, theatres and restaurants is just a forty minute drive. Rail links to London are from either Norwich in to Liverpool Street, or from King's Lynn to King's Cross. The local towns Fakenham, Dereham and Holt are all within easy reach.  

ACCOMMODATION COMPRISES:- Shingle pathway leading to a canopied entrance with exterior light and a partially glazed timber front door opening to… 

ENTRANCE HALL With a doorway leading to the sitting room, staircase rising to the first floor landing and radiator. 

SITTING ROOM 13' 2" x 12' 11" (4.02m x 3.96m) An elegantly presented and well-proportioned reception room with an original chimney breast and an attractive feature hearth. Original timber frame windows overlooking the front aspect, television point, telephone point and radiator. Door to a useful understairs storage cupboard and a further door opening to the kitchen/dining room. 

KITCHEN/DINING ROOM 12' 11" x 11' 0" (3.96m x 3.36m) Beautifully appointed room with a range of hand-painted base level and wall mounted storage units arranged along two walls under timber work surfaces with matching upstands. Set into the countertops, there is a single bowl porcelain belfast sink with a chrome mixer tap under an original timber frame window enjoying views across the rear garden. Further space for an upright fridge/freezer, tiled flooring, plumbing and space for a dishwasher and doors opening to the conservatory and utility room. 

UTILITY ROOM Plumbing and recess for a washing machine and tumble under a section of worktop, tiled flooring, timber frame window to side and door to cloakroom.  

CLOAKROOM Comprising low level WC, wall mounted washbasin, tiled flooring and radiator. 

CONSERVATORY A versatile room, previously used as the main dining room. With UPVC double glazed elevations to three sides and a pitched polycarbonate panelled roof. Fully glazed double doors open out the rear garden providing a stunning vista across the gardens from the kitchen. 

FIRST FLOOR LANDING Doors to all three bedrooms and the family bathroom, exposed ceiling timber, access to loft space and radiator. 

BEDROOM ONE 13' 8" x 9' 11" (4.17m x 3.03m) A charming double bedroom with painted timber floorboards and the original timber frame window overlooking the front aspect. Radiator. 

BEDROOM TWO 11' 8" x 8' 6" (3.57m x 2.60m) Another double bedroom with original timber framed window given breath-taking views across the rear garden and to the countryside beyond. Radiator.   

BEDROOM THREE 9' 8" x 8' 1" (2.95m x 2.48m) A good sized single room, or occasional double, enjoying the same stunning rural views as bedroom two. Radiator.  

FAMILY BATHROOM 6' 7" x 5' 7" (2.02m x 1.72m) Recently completely refurbished with Fired Earth suite and tiles. Comprising free-standing roll-top bath, washbasin and close coupled WC. Over the bath features a traditional style, Bristan thermostatic fixed over-head rose shower with hand-held diverter head. Natural stone tiled flooring and wall, timber frame window to side and radiator.   

OUTSIDE From this quiet country lane, the property is accessed over a shingle driveway which provides comfortable off road parking for up to three vehicles. A wrought-iron railing partitions the parking area from the front garden where there is gated access leading onto a shingle path which in turn leads to the front door. Adjacent to the pathway there is a section of lawn which incorporates a trio of raised vegetable beds with colourfully planted borders around the perimeter. To the side of the house there is a recently installed Grant oil fired boiler which provides domestic hot water and central heating to the property. From here, the pathway extends around to the impressive rear gardens which are one of the stand-out features of the property. Enclosed to either side by laurel hedging and timber fencing and with gated access onto the neighbouring farmland at the rear. The majority of the garden is laid to a neatly maintained lawn with a delightful shingle entertaining area sighted at the very rear of the plot. The shingle area provides the ideal place for barbequing and outside dining and from here, visitors can fully appreciate the peaceful location and stunning local scenery. 

DIRECTIONS From Dereham follow the B1110 to the north, passing through the village of North Elmham. approximately one mile after leaving North Elmham, you will reach a sharp right hand turn on the main road at the site of an old railway bridge (known as Broom Green). Turn left here and proceed for approximately 200 yards before turning right at the crossroads. At the next T-junction make a left turn and then stay right at the next fork in the road. At the next junction turn left and then immediately right where the property can be found on the right hand side.  

COUNCIL TAX Band B. 

ENERGY EFFICIENCY RATING E. Ref:- 7898-5030-6207-4468-2050

To retrieve the Energy Performance Certificate for this property please visit https://www.epcregister.com/ and enter in the reference number above. 

SERVICES CONNECTED The property is connected to mains electricity and water supply, oil fired central heating and use of a shared septic tank for drainage. 

AGENT’S NOTE There is an existing covenant on all of Hill Farm Cottages to ensure that the ongoing aesthetic standard of the cottages is maintained.