Church Lane, Swannington, Norwich, NR9 5NP | Property for sale | Savills
8,033 sq ft(746.29 sq m)
Guide price £2,100,000(€2,506,682)

Church LaneSwannington, Norwich, NR9 5NP

  • Sold

Key features

  • Sold in July 2023
  • Historic detail throughout
  • Open plan and cosy living space
  • Range of modern outbuildings to be utilised in many ways
  • About 5.3 acres of landscaped gardens, woodland, moat and paddocks
  • All presented and preserved to a high standard

A handsome country house in wonderful moated gardens and grounds.

About this property

  • Swannington Hall is a significant Grade II* Listed country house, enjoying a moated setting within wonderful and immaculately kept gardens and grounds.

    The house dates from the 15th century and was extensively renovated by the current custodians in 2000/2001. This included the excellent addition of underfloor heating throughout the ground floor (highly unusual for a house of this age and size), and the installation of bespoke joinery such as new windows, cabinetry and library shelving. These recent changes complement the period detail perfectly, with the central hall being a showcase of the house's age with roll moulded beams, and a stone fireplace which is dated by the Tudor arch and roses in the spandrels. Throughout the house are further Tudor arches, chamfered beams and structural character and age.

    Although it is highly historic, there is also a pleasingly functional layout both to the ground floor and first floor. The reception hall is the nucleus of the house, feeding the principal rooms of the ground floor. Of particular note is the music room with a delightful southerly aspect with French doors to the gardens, an atmospheric dining room, the aforementioned library and useful study. The open plan kitchen/breakfast/living room is an extensive space to enjoy, with floor to ceiling glazing providing plenty of natural light and a fine view of the formal gardens and woodland beyond. As expected of this calibre of house, there are the usual service rooms including utility and storage space.

    There are two staircases to the first floor, with a landing connecting all main rooms. There are three principal bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, with a further three bedrooms served by the family bathroom and separate shower room. All rooms enjoy good views of the surrounding gardens. At the opposite end of the house, with independent staircase, is a further bedroom with dressing room and shower room that could be utilised as an annexe, household staff or noisy children.

    Outside
    Swannington Hall is approached through electric wrought iron gates, onto a gravelled parking and turning area with space for many cars, and which leads to the front and side of the house and on to the garaging. A second entrance leads to the garage and stable block where there is plenty of further parking and storage should it be required.

    The gardens are an outstanding feature of the Hall, and have been transformed over the years, with the help of landscape gardeners, to create many points of interest. The main formal lawns are behind the house with a southerly aspect, with immaculate lawns framed by clipped Holly topiary, parterre, well stocked herbaceous beds and structural hedging. This area is perfectly viewed from the terrace, ideal for outside dining and entertaining. Paved and decorative brick weave paths lead around the perimeter and to the bespoke bridges crossing the moat.

    Beyond the moat are charming areas of woodland, with fine specimen trees and more recent planting, together with pond, lawned areas are through to a post and railed paddock. Beyond the garage and stable block is a kitchen garden with greenhouse and fruit cages.

    Outbuildings
    A glazed link from the house leads to a set of garaging, with electric doors, leading through to a large workshop. To the east of the moat a substantial garage and stable block, architecturally matching the house yet modern of age, with further extensive garaging, store rooms, gardener's workshop, and south facing stables with a courtyard. This impressive building could be utilised in many different ways, with its own independent access to the highway.

    View payable Stamp Duty for this property

There is a serious practicality to this house, despite the scale and historic nature, with a great layout and other hidden benefits such as the underfloor heating, so rare in this calibre and age of house.

Ben RivettProperty agent

Local information

  • The small and unspoilt village of Swannington is situated in an area of open countryside about 10 miles to the north of Norwich, the cathedral city and regional centre of East Anglia, which is renowned for its excellent shopping and cultural facilities. There is an airport to the north of the city with most international destinations available via Schiphol.
  • The picturesque market town of Aylsham, about eight miles has some fine Georgian architecture and a traditional market square where a local farmers market is regularly held. The town has excellent shopping facilities and adjoins the Blicking Estate in the care and ownership of the National Trust.
  • Holt, another picturesque North Norfolk town with excellent shopping facilities and renowned as the home of Gresham's public school, is about 14 miles. The North Norfolk coast at Cley-next-the-Sea is approximately a further three miles to the north of Holt.
  • Beeston Hall preparatory school is also situated nearby at Beeston Regis between Sheringham and Cromer. Much of the North Norfolk coast is classified as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and there are excellent walks, sandy beaches and bird watching facilities. The pretty small town of Reepham is approximately three miles.

Additional information

  • Services
  • Mains water and electricity, private drainage (sewage treatment plant), oil fired central heating. Underfloor heating to ground floor.
  • Local Authority
  • Broadland District Council
  • Council Tax Band G
  • Fixtures & Fittings
  • All fixtures and fittings including fitted carpets and curtains are specifically excluded from the sale, but may be available in addition, subject to separate negotiation.
  • Viewings
  • Strictly by appointment with Savills. If there is any point which is of particular importance to you, we invite you to discuss this with us, especially before you travel to view the property.
  • Directions: Leave Norwich city centre on the A140 Cromer Road and at the boundary traffic lights, fork left signposted towards Hellesdon on the Reepham Road. After about four miles fork right signposted ‘Felthorpe, Swannington and Cawston'. At the crossroads go straight over, signposted towards Swannington, and follow this road through woodland and the village of Swannington (Upgate). Proceed out of Upgate and into the village of Swannington itself. Proceed through the village, passing ‘The Romantic Garden Nursery' and take the next right into Church Lane. Continue for about half a mile where the entrance to the Hall is on the right. Postcode; NR9 5NP. What3words; ///observers.sprinter.dolphins
  • EPC Exempt
  • Tenure: Freehold
  • Council Tax Band: G