Location

Thurgarton is a small village closely associated with the neighbouring, and well served, village of Aldborough. Well known for its picture perfect cricket pitch and green in the centre of the village, there is a primary school, village shop with post office, doctors surgery, a public house and good transport links with local towns. Other local interest includes the excellent Gunton Arms, to the east of Alby Hill, with its sister pub the Suffield Arms equally as impressive.

Thurgarton sits in the triangle of Holt, Cromer and Aylsham. The picturesque Georgian town of Holt is renowned for its award winning restaurants, boutique shops and other excellent amenities. The market town of Aylsham is similar, whilst the coastal town of Cromer has a further array of amenities, shopping and access to the beach. The North Norfolk Coast, much of which is classified as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has excellent beaches, good sailing and bird watching facilities.

The cathedral and university city of Norwich is about 25 miles to the southeast and has a thriving business community and is a regional centre for shopping and cultural activities with its renowned theatre. Norwich has a mainline railway station with regular trains to London Liverpool Street with a journey time of approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. Norwich Airport is situated to the north of the city.

Description

Meadow Farmhouse is a wonderful lifestyle proposition. The handsome house, on the edge of the village, is the classic former small holding that you would find in Norfolk, yet in this instance it retains its traditional Norfolk Barn, part of which has been converted to a successful holiday cottage. All of this is set in a manageable grounds of just under an acre of land, surrounding the buildings, in this peaceful and unspoilt part of Norfolk.

The principal house has an endearingly welcoming feel, and a comfortable layout of rooms. With the core of the house providing the original period detail, including Georgian sash windows and lovely old fireplaces, there were successful later additions including the garden/living room to the south, and an entrance hall with Portico to the north, resulting in a house that has evolved with the changes in living style.

At the front of the house, west facing, are two delightful reception room comprising a dining room with inglenook fireplace and alcove study area, and a sitting room with a more refined fire place, both fireplaces hosting woodburners, and are rooms of an elegant proportion. The kitchen conveniently adjoins the dining room, perfect for morning light, with fitted cabinetry and sink with a view to the charming gardens. It also links into the garden room addition, a triple aspect room with five sets of French doors opening to the east, south and west. This is used for everyday living, with a breakfast area and living area. Further functionality is provided from a utility room and scullery, a handy area off the kitchen for fridges and storage, and the entrance hall with WC and store cupboard.

Upstairs, the light and airy feel continues. A principal bedroom is double aspect to the south and west, with original cupboards. There are a further two double bedrooms, and a slightly smaller fourth bedroom. All the bedrooms are served by two bathrooms, and an airing cupboard. The bedrooms and indeed the ground floor rooms all enjoy views out over the gardens.

Holiday Cottage and barn
Beside the house is a traditional Norfolk Barn, of brick and flint under a pantile roof. The barn has a classic layout, with an impressive principal open space of 13m x 8.7m, additional store rooms and a wing which has been converted to provide a successful holiday cottage.

The main bulk of the barn is an amazing space where imaginations run wild as to what it could become. The area comprises two floors, with the first floor open to the rafters. There is tremendous potential. Two store rooms are useful, for garden machinery, summer furniture etc.

‘Little Barn’ is a delightful holiday let, within the single storey wing of the barn. With an open plan kitchen/living area, with vaulted ceilings, wood burner, and doors out to a private garden, and a double bedroom with recently refurbished shower room, it provides easy living popular with guests. Whilst it provides a useful income, the cottage could of course be used in other ways such as an annexe to the house, studio etc.

Gardens
The grounds of Meadow Farmhouse compliment the house and barns perfectly, with the same degree of charm and maturity.

Areas of formal and informal gardens, lawns and courtyards create plenty of areas to enjoy, yet on a manageable scale. To the east, south and west of the house are lawns, with herbaceous beds and wild flower areas with paths meandering through. To the east, directly accessed from the house, is a paved terrace with rose clad pergola and set against a south facing brick wall, creating a peaceful and private area for outdoor dining and entertaining. Beyond the wall is a further lawned area, with cherry and plum trees, raised beds and a wildlife pond. A courtyard to the barn, used by ‘Little Barn’, is a wonderfully private area with gravel covered with lady’s mantle and roses framing a paved seating area.

White wrought iron gates, set between low brick wall, create a defined entrance onto a gravelled driveway leading to parking for many cars, with further lawns to the west framed by a high brick wall.