A distinguished Grade II listed former farmhouse with exceptional period character and a substantial adjoining barn in the heart of Holt.
Smithfield House is an attractive Grade II listed former farmhouse, understood to date from the mid to late 17th century, occupying a prominent corner position in the heart of Holt. Arranged over three floors, the house offers five bedrooms, and three reception rooms, combining generous and flexible accommodation with a particularly rich collection of period features.
From the moment you step inside, the rich character of the house comes to the fore, with exposed sandstone, beams and timbers reflecting its historic origins. The ground-floor accommodation offers a versatile balance of formal and informal living spaces, each with its own individual charm. The drawing room is particularly impressive, centred around a substantial sandstone inglenook fireplace with a log-burning stove, while exposed structural timbers create a wonderfully characterful backdrop.
Adjoining the drawing room is the snug/office, a versatile and characterful room with a feature fireplace and understairs storage, well suited to both informal living and working from home. To the other side of the drawing room, the dining room provides a dedicated setting for entertaining and continues the period detailing, while a staircase rises directly from the room to the accommodation above.
The breakfast kitchen forms a natural hub of the ground floor, with a comprehensive range of cabinetry complemented by Corian work surfaces and a Belfast-style double sink. A Rangemaster Professional 110 range cooker with gas hob sits within a characterful recessed alcove, framed by exposed timber and set against a sleek glazed splashback. A central timber-topped island provides space for informal dining alongside additional storage, while the tiled floor and exposed ceiling timbers add further character. Windows to two elevations bring natural light into the room, with a glazed door providing direct access outside. A separate utility room provides practical ancillary accommodation.
From the drawing room, stairs rise to the first floor, where four double bedrooms are arranged around the main landing and served by a shower room. A separate staircase from the dining room leads to a versatile seating area, providing a peaceful retreat away from the principal reception rooms. From here, a further staircase rises to a mezzanine above, offering excellent potential as a home office or study. Together, these spaces add considerable flexibility to the accommodation and could equally lend themselves to use as guest bedrooms, a reading area, informal family space or quiet place to work.
The principal bedroom suite occupies the second floor, creating a degree of separation from the remainder of the bedroom accommodation. Exposed beams and timbers, areas of sandstone wall and timber flooring retain the character of the house, while an open-plan dressing area adds useful ancillary space. The adjoining en suite bathroom incorporates a freestanding bath with shower above and continues the exposed timber detailing seen elsewhere in the property.
The enduring appeal of the house lies in its wealth of historic character and wonderfully versatile accommodation. Exposed timbers, sandstone and brickwork reveal its heritage at every turn, while the arrangement of spaces lends itself beautifully to modern family life, entertaining and working from home.
Gardens and grounds
Smithfield House occupies a corner plot, with gardens extending around three sides of the property. To the front is an area of lawn with a pathway approaching the principal entrance, while additional lawn and a gravelled area to the side provide off-road parking for several vehicles.
To the rear, the enclosed garden is principally laid to lawn and incorporates a substantial paved terrace, providing space for outdoor dining and seating.
The Barn
A particularly notable element of Smithfield House is the barn attached to the rear. Currently arranged over two floors, the barn provides a series of substantial spaces retaining exposed brickwork, stonework and roof timbers. Ground-floor rooms incorporate glazed doors and windows opening towards the garden, while the upper floor has additional windows and Velux windows above. Previously planning permission P/2011/0784 was granted for conversion of the barn into a residential dwelling.
I love the wealth of period character at Smithfield House, while the adjoining barn offers exciting potential for the future.
Rosie RickettProperty agent