Location

The house is located to the west of the village of West Raynham, a village closely associated with the historic Raynham Hall Estate. Dating back to the 17th century, the estate is picturesque and diverse with seasonal and pop events, a new brewery and many future plans that add to the lifestyle of the local area. The estate has a network of footpaths to enjoy. The wider village has a petrol station and store, with further amenities, supermarkets and education in the nearby Georgian market town of Fakenham. The town also has a cinema, coffee shops, restaurants, National Hunt racecourse, golf course and pitch and putt course. The market town of Swaffham is approximately 10 miles away, with good shopping and a Waitrose supermarket.

The renowned North Norfolk Coast is 14 miles away, providing good quality sailing, seal trips, a network of coastal paths, sandy beaches, a plethora of restaurants and gastro pubs and RSPB bird reserves. Other nearby attractions include the Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, the Sandringham, Holkham and Houghton Estates which are open to the public, and many good local pubs notably The Dabbling Duck at Great Massingham and The Rose & Crown in Harpley.   

There are regular rail services to London King's Cross from both Downham Market and King's Lynn, and services to London Liverpool Street from Norwich.

Description

Atcherley House was the Wing Commanders entertaining residence at the former WW II RAF base at West Raynham. The principal house of Atcherley Square occupies a commanding position across one entire side of the square. It is set apart from six further officers houses in a south facing position with far reaching views over countryside to the rear. Atcherley House is a home with a distinguished history. Winston Churchill is known to have visited the house, whilst the Queen Mother was also a visitor to the airbase in 1942, with King George VI, although it is not known if they set foot in Atcherley House.

The contrast between the original Atcherley House and the Atcherley House of now is transformative. In 2020/21, the current custodians set about creating a wonderfully stylish house, with a contemporary feel that blends seamlessly with period design features either original to the house or carefully restored. The effect is brilliant, creating a relaxed and fun atmosphere, yet with clean edges and clever vistas.

At the heart of it all is the superb open plan kitchen/dining space, a fitting focal point to the house. The modern kitchen area is one of clean lines and minimal design, with built in appliances, and a substantial island with breakfast bar, integrated induction hobs, and wine fridge. The island unit is the conduit between kitchen and dining area, and therefore ideal for sociable suppers, allowing for conversation to flow over the island between the designated chef and guests. The dining area is expansive, something accentuated by the 6.5m length of bi-fold doors along the southern wall, flooding light into the room, providing views of the gardens and countryside beyond and when peeled back, bringing the outside in.

Mellow oak parquet floor leads through double doors into the main hall and continues into the sitting room, a fine room with large bay window and clearview woodburner with marble surround. The sitting room also has double doors, thus enabling the majority of the southern side of the ground floor to be open plan, or the ability to divide rooms into more cosy spaces. The ground floor includes a formal study, large WC/utility and laundry. A large wing off the kitchen has functional rooms including further utility space, studio, four store rooms, boot room and through to the integral garage, ideal to convert to separate annexe.

A staircase at either end of the ground floor gives a great flow to the house. The first floor hosts four double bedooms, including the principal guest bedroom, with large en suite bath/shower room. All rooms have built in wardrobes, tall ceilings and fine views to the south, with each room enjoying an individual colour scheme. That individuality extends to the en suite bathroom, and two further large shower rooms, all of which have been finished to a very high standard, with their own unique and luxurious style. Each has electric underfloor heating, motion-sensor lighting, walk in showers, and striking tiling.

One of the many highlights of the house is the top floor, previously three staff bedrooms, the entirety of which has been converted into a breath-taking open plan suite spanning the length and width of the house, with vaulted ceilings. This stunning space incorporates a sitting/TV area at one end, a bathing area in the middle carefully placed to take in fine views through the extensive glazing on this floor. At the far end is the bedroom area, with the bed placed in prime position to survey the open countryside to the south with an entirely glazed bay window, with oversized panes of glass allowing for an uninterrupted vista, it is sensational. Behind the bed is a hidden dressing area, whilst a smart shower room is off the open plan space, allowing for privacy.

Whilst the overhaul in 2020/21 of the house focused on the interiors, the works included investment in fundamentals such as insulating, re-wiring, re-plumbing, CAT5 cabling etc.

Outside
Approached from the north, through the square of former officer's houses, a heritage orchard forms a central green providing a colourful display of blossom and an abundance of apples, pears and plums. The property has an in and out drive, leading up to the house and garage, with plenty of parking and a large expanse of lawn.

Further gardens are on the favoured south side of the house, enjoying a high degree of privacy and with an open feel thanks to the countryside the stretches away from the house with not another house in sight. A paved terrace adjoins the house, with the perfect orientation taking in sun throughout the day. The terrace is on a seamless level to the open plan kitchen/dining room, with the bi fold doors opening out and an electric awning, it creates a perfect space for al fresco dining and entertaining. Conveniently beside this expanse, a utility area of raised beds, used to grow salads and vegetables. A garden kitchen completes the functional use of this space with herb beds and flowers. Lawns wrap round the house from south to west, with wild flower area to the south. The garden has ease of maintenance in mind, with the colour and interest confined to the raised beds and pots. A landscaping plan from award-winning designer James Scott (influenced by Gertrude Jekyll) is partially implemented and available for the next custodian, should they wish to continue.