The Old Weaver's House in Elm Hill, Norwich, is a glorious Tudor property which has been carefully restored to create a luxury home with extensive entertaining space.
The Old Weaver's House in Elm Hill, Norwich, is a glorious Tudor property which has been carefully restored to create a luxury home with extensive entertaining space. It has a fascinating history and is full of charm - with exposed beams, leaded light windows and magnificent views over the River Wensum. This unique home is on the market with William H Brown for £420,000. Owner Nigel Tansley Thomas gave EMMA LEE a tour.
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Cobbled Elm Hill is one of Norwich's oldest thoroughfares. Chocolate-box pretty, and lined with quaint shops selling antiques and curios, it is a magnet for tourists and is one of the most photographed places in the city.
Although it looks medieval, Elm Hill does, in fact, date back to Tudor times. Much of the street was destroyed in the Great Fire of Norwich in 1507 and was subsequently rebuilt.
Tucked away just off the street is the Grade II-listed Old Weaver's House, which has been home to Nigel and Anne Tansley Thomas, for about the past six years.
Even though the three-storey property is in the heart of the city, as you step through the front door, the hustle and bustle seems a world away.
“It's really tranquil, which surprises people,” says Nigel. “We're in the middle of the city, but you wouldn't know it.”
The house, which has wonderful views of the River Wensum, dates from the 16th century, and was extended in the 17th century.
When the couple were looking for a property, they wanted a flexible space with plenty of room for entertaining. And that's exactly what the Old Weaver's House offers - with the added bonus of old world character and charm in every nook and cranny, such as exposed timber beams in the ceiling and walls, leaded windows and re-claimed stripped timber floors.
“The house is arranged in an unusual, but flexible way,” Nigel says. “The house was refurbished in 1999/2000, when it was almost derelict. Everything is new - the heating, the lighting, the electricity. And it can have up to four bedrooms if you want.
“What appealed to us about the property is that we wanted lots of reception rooms - bags of space to entertain our friends,” he adds.
On the ground floor, there is an entrance hall and three rooms, including a bathroom. One room is being used as a guest bedroom/ store room, whereas the other serves another dual purpose - a music room and office. A workstation, with spotlights, is neatly tucked away inside a cupboard.
“The great thing is that you can shut the door on work at the end of the day,” says Nigel.
The first floor landing is flooded with light from a large window, which is unusual in that it reaches right to the floor. It boasts another bath/shower room, and two well-proportioned rooms which are used as a comfy living room and the master bedroom.
The second floor has the genuine wow factor. A wattle and daub and timber extension, which would have been the weaver's loft, was added to the property in the 17th century.
The stunning space, which again is light and airy thanks to windows on three of its walls, has been converted into a well-planned kitchen, which you can imagine would be a joy to cook in, and a spacious living area, which the couple use as a dining room - the perfect setting for a dinner party.
“Lots of people do actually say 'wow' when they come up here for the first time. It would have been a huge industrial space originally. It's a lovely place to entertain people, and people love coming here,” Nigel says. “And it's fascinating to think of the history of the place.
“We've got windows on three sides and as the sun sets in the evening the view is stunning.”
Even in the daytime it would be easy to lose yourself in the view. Some of Norwich's most famous landmark buildings, including St Andrew's Hall and Norwich School of Art and Design, are visible. From another window, you can watch the swans glide along the Wensum.
And from the kitchen, there's a charming view of Elm Hill's higgledy-piggledy rooftops.
There's a sun-trap garden at the front, and although it's small, there's plenty of greenery nearby to enjoy. Nigel says the area attracts all sorts of wildlife, including squirrels, giving it a surprisingly rural feel - despite the fact that all the city's attractions, such as the theatres, cinemas, shops, and restaurants are a stroll away.
“We are sad to be going,” Nigel says. “It's a wonderful space, and Elm Hill is a nice little community.”
t William H Brown is inviting offers in the region of £420,000. Phone 01603 760044 for details.
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