A wonderful lifestyle opportunity, with an income generating property of style and substance.
The Property
A barn of scale, substance and style, Hill Farm Barn is more than just a simple home. Set in approximately 13.5 acres of gardens and land, the barn is essentially four dwellings into one, such is the adaptability of the accommodation and orientation of the building. As a result, the house not only works as a comfortable family home with scope for independent multi-generational living, it also offers the option to generate income through the various annexes and equine facilities. Hill Farm Barn with its Ground Source Heat-Pump, attracting RHI payments, solar panels and battery storage is well set up to provide comfortable and affordable living.
This is a property that would suit a wide variety of buyers.
The Barn
A classic former threshing barn, Hill Farm Barn is a substantial two storey timber frame barn in a south facing position, with two single storey wings on either side, and a further single storey building at the opposite end.
The buildings of about 5700 sqft are all centred on a courtyard landscaped by the award winning Thomas Hoblyn, creating a refined and landscaped contrast to the informality and wonderful openness of the paddocks and land around the barn, it is the best of both worlds.
The principal living area is in the main part of the barn, unsurprisingly benefitting most from the south and west sun and totalling around 2700 sqft. The focal point is an amazing open plan living space with impressive double height with vaulted ceilings. This light and airy space hosts the kitchen, dining and living areas, with large windows filling the frames of the former barn doors, a wood burner and fine views of the gardens and land. It is a room that absorbs family life. A useful utility room, essential for a house such as this and boot room provide a functionality. A spacious hall with staircase and reading and music area provides the link through to the bedroom wing. A long hall with large full glazed openings bringing the outside in, leads to three double bedrooms, including the principal bedroom with en suite bathroom, and a shower room serving the remaining two, all three bedrooms enjoy vaulted ceilings. A first floor room with fitted wardrobes, provides a further bedroom or room for other use.
The other half of the main two storey element of the barn, is known as Pond Barn given the view it has over a pond within the grounds. It boasts another significant open plan space with double height and vaulted ceilings, and has a slightly more contemporary finish and design, and minimalist feel. A modern kitchen, with breakfast bar, looks out over the dining area and sitting area, with large clearview woodburner, it has a very calming feel. A contemporary staircase leads up to a suspended' first floor, which is a striking design feature as well as functional space. The first floor comprises a bedroom with en suite shower room, and a further room with en suite shower room with staircase up to a second floor bedroom with free standing bath. This barn has been successfully let, but could equally be incorporated into the main house.
The west wing, known as West Barn, is a self-contained single storey barn. A long hall, again with large glazed windows to the courtyard mirroring that of the main barn for continuity, leads to an open plan living/kitchen/dining room, a generous bathroom, and a double bedroom. The fitted kitchen, vaulted ceilings, and ease of living make this an appealing lettable wing whether as a holiday cottage or full tenant.
The Studio
The Studio' is to the south of the courtyard. With an open plan ground floor kitchen/living area, and shower room, to a mezzanine bedroom, this makes an ideal short term Airbnb or could be utilised as a work from home space, pilates or art studio, cinema room or perhaps a gym. It is a great asset to the overall extent of accommodation.
Gardens and Grounds
Hill Farm Barn, under the current ownership, has evolved to provide a wonderful lifestyle opportunity for the next custodians. The clever containment of formal gardens within the expansive courtyard creates clear definition between the refined space of the formal gardens and the more relaxed and open grounds comprising further lawned areas and paddocks beyond.
The courtyard is a delight. Having the accolade of winning gold at RHS Hampton Court, the garden makes the most of the south facing and sheltered space, with a great use of textures and colour. A decked walkway leads to the front door of the main barn, passing over a large pond that is a major feature. A paved terrace, against a south facing elevation, is placed on the edge of the pond, and is the perfect area for al fresco dining and seating area. Lawns frame the pond, with sharp edges, to deep herbaceous and well stocked beds and curved hedging, with a stand of silver birch in one corner. It is a calming, peaceful garden. On the outside of the barn, there are defined garden areas for West Barn, Pond Barn and the main barn, with areas of lawn between post and rail fencing, and with the decked area overlooking to pond with direct access and views from West Barn.
Wider land and Equine
The wider land has been predominantly utilised for equine use. Established grazing is divided into paddocks by post and railed fencing, with fields of varying sizes for rotation. To the east of the barn is one of the largest fields, with wildlife pond in the centre of it, whilst a further expansive field is to the north, with established boundaries, and which did have a circuit canter around it which could be reinstated. The equine facilities are excellent, with an all weather menage, horse walker and barn with American style stabling with five loose boxes, tack room and feed room. A Further five loose boxes and tack room is set next to a pond, with planning consent for this to be removed and replaced with a new two bay car port, workshop, and studio/annexe. Details available at South Norfolk District Council, planning ref 2021/1992.
View payable Stamp Duty for this property
It is not often that we sell a house that is so well suited to those looking to earn an income without having to run a full scale business, or indeed anyone looking for multi generational living.
Ben RivettProperty agent