Attractive brick and flint home with former chapel.
Chapel Cottage is one of the oldest houses of Thornage, dating back to the 15th century. Yet despite the age, there is a modern twist that suits current living styles, an expansive garden with fine views across to the Glaven Valley, and the added dynamic of a detached former chapel.
Grade II listed, and of the pretty local vernacular with brick and flint elevations with a wisteria on the front for good measure, Chapel Cottage is lovely village house. It is one of those ‘cottages’ that would most certainly have been one of the key farmhouses to the villages, which would explain the tall ceilings with chamfered beams that create a sense of grandeur. The main living room features an inglenook fireplace with woodburner with exposed mellow red brick, whilst a sitting room also hosts a woodburner, with alcove shelving either side. Both rooms connect through to the hub of the house, the open plan kitchen/dining room. Measuring almost 10m in length, it is a brilliant space for everyday life to convene, with a well fitted kitchen complete with Everhot and peninsula, opening out to the dining area, with plenty of glazing allowing in natural light. It is a sociable space, with practical tiled floors and part vaulted ceiling adding to the spacious feel, and French doors out to the gardens. For practicality, there is a fitted utility room with its own external door, storage space off the kitchen and WC.
The bedrooms are over two floors. The first floor enjoys tall rooms, again with good natural light. A principal bedroom, with exposed beams, enjoys an en suite bath/shower room, through to an expanse of landing that could be used as a dressing room or an additional bedroom. The latter has a separate door to the landing, so would not be a walk through bedroom, and is complete with walk-in wardrobe. There is a further large double bedroom with wardrobes, and a family bathroom.
The second floor adds another dimension to how the house works. A central space, at the top of the stairs with dormer windows, could be used as a living room or bedroom. There is a bunk bedroom and a shower room off either side.
Old Chapel & Grounds
The property is entered onto an open expanse of private parking, with a high flint wall along the northern boundary. There is parking for plenty of cars. To the west of the parking is a former chapel building, likely a later building to the main house. It is of traditional construction, and was converted to create a studio/office, with a large open room and stairs up to an mezzanine level. It is an asset to the main house, and could be utilised in many ways.
The gardens to Chapel Cottage are behind the house, with a great degree of privacy in a private setting. The gardens, made up of paved areas near the house, to open lawns, sweep away to the south east. Mature shrubs are dotted throughout, together with a former brick and flint outhouse with gravelled seating area for outside dining. The gardens continue, with a summer house, to the top where there are fine views across countryside to the nearby Glaven Valley.
The gardens are mature, and would benefit from attention to make the most of them.
View payable Stamp Duty for this property
If I had to draw a classic Norfolk village house, this is what I would imagine. Brick and flint, charm.
Ben RivettProperty agent