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An outstanding family home, glorious privacy with excellent convenience.
When it comes to a family lifestyle, there are so many things to take into consideration when choosing a house, to cater for all the ages. Birkfield House goes a long way to ticking all the boxes. Firstly the location, within minutes of the centre of Holt providing a convenience not only for education and shopping, but also socialising for all ages within the family, the café and restaurant culture and indeed seasonal jobs when the children are working out what to do with life. Getting to the coastline is easy too, with a direct route either by bike, car or foot. Secondly, but by no means least, the house is a brilliant family home. From the open plan kitchen and dining area as the perfect family hub, to the stylish indoor swimming pool and the bedrooms over the first and second floors, the house has a huge amount to offer. Originally Edwardian, the house was transformed in to a substantial home when considerably extended and altered by the current custodians. The result was a layout to serve a growing family, plenty of natural light throughout and space to accommodate everyone whilst also maintaining character and charm.
A spacious entrance hall welcomes you and leads to all the main ground floor rooms. The aforementioned open plan kitchen and dining area has a large island, Aga, as well as an induction hob and oven. There is a modern wood burner at the dining end, with French doors out to a west facing terrace for evening dining, as well as French doors out to an east terrace for al-fresco breakfasts. A further set of glazed doors open onto the amazing sun room, a wonderful addition to the house where you will find the indoor pool and relaxing seating area. Thoughtfully designed, the space is partly glazed, partly traditional construction, allowing for use all year round whether lighting the woodburner of the seating area in winter, or opening the bi-fold floor to ceiling glazed doors in the summer. Further to these open plan areas are the more traditional rooms, with a fine dining room and an elegant and calming sitting room, both featuring wood burning stoves and double aspects. Functionality is provided by a utility room, feature cloakroom and bespoke cabinetry in the entrance hall. The bedrooms are equally as spacious, light and airy as the ground floor areas, with generous ceiling height typical of the period. The first floor, with central landing linking all rooms, has the choice of two principal bedrooms. One is triple aspect, east, south and west, with an en suite shower room and walk in cupboard, whilst the other is dual aspect with balcony and a large dual aspect en suite bath/shower room. Further to this are two particularly spacious double bedrooms, which are served by a family bathroom. The second floor is the ideal space for older children, with two double bedrooms and a sitting or study room in-between, served by a further shower room at the foot of the staircase. Consistent with the house, this floor is sizeable, with plenty of storage. All rooms enjoy fine views of the surrounding gardens.
Gardens and Grounds
The gardens and grounds of Birkfield House are a complete delight. The 2.1 acres enjoyed by the house have been thoughtfully landscaped to create a magical setting for all to enjoy, with formal and relaxed areas blending with each other combining refinement with wild and creating many points of interest on a manageable scale. The house is positioned almost perfectly in the centre of the land, thus ensuring a high degree of privacy. The more formal gardens are naturally to the south, with an expanse of lawn sweeping from left to right, flanked by specimen trees and shrubs including laburnum, beech, silver birch and vibrant rhododendrons that are spectacular in flower. A paved terrace wraps around the house from east to west, following the sun, and leading down to a sunken Mediterranean' garden, nestled within the lawn, making a wonderful area for dining and relaxing. Box topiary, wisteria, clipped beech hedging, Irish yew, and deep herbaceous beds are highlights of this side of the house. By contrast, areas of woodland with defined paths meandering through offer a wildness along with more shaded areas where bluebells and snowdrops can be found. There is a continual path around the entire perimeter of the grounds, ideal for an easy dog walk and adventurous children. Further open areas next to the house include the orchard, with medlar, pear and apple trees, within a wildflower meadow including alliums and daffodils providing year-round colour outlined with enticing cut paths. Seating areas dotted throughout the grounds include a charming summer house, and secret areas, whilst a greenhouse fulfils green fingered needs. A wildlife pond is set within the woodland, with incredibly smart shepherd's huts on the banks complete with decked platform overlooking the water. The Shepherd's huts may be available subject to separate negotiation. The house is served by a solid driveway, with a turning circle and parking to the west, and a further parking area to the north for many cars. There are two outbuildings, ideal for storage and workshop plus fully granted planning permission for a triple garage with accommodation over.
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I adore the gardens of this house. It has such variety, but crucially is manageable. They compliment the exceptional house perfectly.
Ben RivettProperty agent