Property description

Sowerbys are delighted to offer this impressive character home, pleasantly situated within superbly maintained grounds of around 7.3 acres (sts) comprising formal gardens, a paddock and a 5.4 acre field. The sale of the property also includes a range of outbuildings including an unconverted 1,000 sq./ft. barn and hay loft complex which currently provides superb storage as well as the scope to convert.



The house dates back to the late eighteenth century, with the exact date of construction thought to be 1784. The house has enjoyed a colourful history and has always held a prominent role within the village. Originally built as a Coaching Inn to provide a resting place for coaches travelling from Norwich down to London; the house went on to become the village Public House and was said to be a popular haunt for many of the US air force men based over at RAF Shipdham throughout the Second World War. The serving hatch from the old bar remains within the property, between the inner hall and sitting room. The Pub closed several years after the war, at which time the property became a small holding before being purchased by the current owners' family over thirty years ago.

The main house enjoys generous proportions and has been lovingly maintained over the years. The accommodation briefly comprises entrance hall, formal sitting room, dining room, the snug, kitchen/breakfast room, inner hall, bathroom and rear porch on the ground floor; with four bedrooms and shower room arranged around the first floor landing. The interior is neatly presented with a number of character features still in place.



The house enjoys a pleasant rural setting and also provides easy access for the market towns of Dereham (8 miles), Attleborough (9 miles) and the popular city of Norwich (15 miles). 

SOUTHBURGH The Breckland village of Southburgh is located 15 miles south west of the city of Norwich and is close to the villages of Reymerston, Hingham and Shipdham. Southburgh church, St Andrew, has a distinctive tower and spire that stands proud above the trees and is a welcoming church, open for worship. It should be noted that there are superb off-road horse riding facilities in the area. 

ACCOMMODATION COMPRISES:- Original timber double doors opening into… 

ENTRANCE HALL A welcoming entrance with tall ceiling and original timber doors opening to the sitting room and the dining room, with a formed archway to the inner hall. Telephone point. 

SITTING ROOM 20' 0" x 15' 11" (6.11m x 4.87m) A delightful main reception room with a cast-iron wood-burning stove serving as the rooms' main focal point within the original brick recess. Sash window overlooking the garden to front with a further window on the rear wall. Tiled flooring, two radiators and door to sung. 

DINING ROOM 16' 1" x 15' 7" max (4.92m x 4.75m max) Another impressively proportioned formal room with an original feature fireplace and built-in storage to the recesses at either side. Original sash window to front, tiled flooring, radiator and door to rear hall. 

INNER HALL 10' 11" x 8' 8" (3.34m x 2.66m) A versatile space at the centre of the ground floor which has previously been used as a study and a seating area. This section of the house was where the bar was originally located and the serving hatch still remains in place. A recess behind the stairs provides a useful place for the storage of boots, coats and shoes with a door leading to the rear hall. Tiled flooring and radiator. 

REAR HALL With doors to the kitchen/breakfast room, snug, ground floor bathroom, dining room and rear porch. Tiled flooring, radiator and staircase rising to first floor landing. 

KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM 13' 11" x 12' 0" (4.26m x 3.68m) Comprising a selection of oak fronted base level and wall mounted storage units along parts of three walls under fitted work surfaces incorporating a single bowl stainless steel sink unit with mixer tap. Plumbing and space for a washing machine and recesses for additional appliances. Floor mounted oil boiler providing domestic hot water and central heating. Windows to two sides, radiator and side entrance door. 

SNUG 12' 1" x 10' 0" (3.69m x 3.05m) Another adaptable reception room with beamed ceiling and a window on the rear wall providing superb views across the gardens. Inner door to sitting room and radiator. 

GROUND FLOOR BATHROOM Recently refurbished suite comprising panel sided bath, pedestal hand basin and close coupled WC. Tiled flooring, partially tiled walls, chrome heated towel rail and obscure glass window to side. 

FIRST FLOOR LANDING A delightfully spacious landing area with doors to all four bedrooms and the family shower room. Additional door opens to the large airing cupboard which houses an insulted hot water cylinder and fitted shelving. Access to loft space. 

BEDROOM ONE 16' 2" x 13' 5" (4.94m x 4.11m) A neatly presented and generously sized double bedroom with a sash window on the front elevation enjoying views of the garden. Storage cupboards built into either side of the chimney breast, television point and radiator. 

BEDROOM TWO 20' 1" x 9' 9" > 7' 4" (6.14m x 2.98m > 2.25m)x 2.98m) Another well size double bedroom with the window looking out to the front aspect and radiator. 

BEDROOM THREE 12' 1" x 10' 6" (3.69m x 3.21m) From the landing there are two steps down into a third double bedroom with a window on the rear wall overlooking the gardens and paddock beyond. Television point and radiator. 

BEDROOM FOUR 10' 11" x 10' 1" (3.34m x 3.08m) Sash window to front and radiator. 

FAMILY SHOWER ROOM Neatly appointed suite comprising double width tiled enclosure with curve glass door and shower over, pedestal hand basin and close coupled WC. Tiled flooring, partially walls, radiator and obscure glass window to rear. 

OUTSIDE The property is approached from a quiet country lane over a shingle drive with a large parking area to the front and side of the house. The façade off the house is flanked by outbuildings to either side with a neatly manicured lawn to the front. Immediately to the rear of the house there is another generously sized section of lawn, which leads down to 0.8 acre (sts) paddock which is overlooked by a timber summer house. A mown path which follows a line of trees along the east boundary takes you down to the main field, which measures approximately 5.4 acres (sts). The boundaries are predominantly identified by mature hedges, with a right of access granted at the south-east corner of the plot providing vehicle access back on to River Lane. 

OUTBUILDINGS In addition to the main house, there are two blocks of outbuildings which have served a number of purposes over the years; from pig and cattle sheds to the Pub lavatories and stables. To the front of the property, along the eastern boundary there are a range of useful single storey storage rooms of brick, flint and clay lump construction which have been re-roofed. This block includes a triple bay open fronted cart shed, a secure garage, alarmed workshop, wood shed and tool shed.

Across the driveway there is a double height barn with an attached hay-loft which offers superb scope for conversion in to a holiday cottage or annexe, pending the necessary planning consents. The barn is also of clay lump construction with an attractive timber roof structure visible from the interior. At its apex, the ceiling measures over 6 metres in height. In total, the barn and hay loft provides around 1,000 square feet of floor space although the body of the main barn could be separated in to two floors. There are three further storage sheds at the back of the barn which are accessible from the house across a courtyard to the side of the kitchen. These are currently used a coal shed, external utility room and a general storage room. 

ENERGY EFFICIENCY RATING G. Ref:- 8755-7623-3450-7730-7926

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

AGENTS NOTE A well with a working hand pump remains in place within the back garden. 

SERVICES The property is connected to mains electricity and water supply. Septic tank drainage and oil-fired central heating.