An “unusual” former rectory set in around three acres of gardens has come up for sale in Brockdish, near Diss, for offers over £1.5m.
Estate agents Fine & Country, which is marketing the home, describes the seven-bedroom property as a “rare opportunity” because although it has been renovated and modernised, internally, its architecture has been largely untouched since it was built.
A spokesperson for the firm says: “It’s unusual to find a house from as early as the 1840s which has not been altered to its detriment, but this grand residence remains largely as originally conceived – with all its features intact.”
The rectory was originally built in 1842 for Revered George France, who arrived in the village to take up his service at the Church of St Peter and St Paul.
He decided the existing living accommodation was not quite fit for purpose, so set about building a large family home there instead – where he lived for the rest of his life.
Historic England describes the Grade II listed house as being “Tudor gothic” in style, with several distinctive decorative features still intact. These include the elaborately carved bargeboards which trim the gables, the pretty glass doors set into a Gothic arch at the front and lovely, lozenge-patterned windows throughout.
Accommodation includes three large reception rooms on the ground floor, as well as a characterful, sunny kitchen featuring blue-grey units, marble countertops and the original fireplace, which now houses modern ovens.
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The kitchen can be accessed by the smaller of the two sitting rooms, which could become a dining room.
A baize door, which was traditionally used to separate the living quarters from the ‘working’ part of the house, leads to several utility rooms and pantries as well as access to the cellar – complete with racks for up to 60 bottles of wine.
You can also still see the row of servants’ bells in the hallway and a second staircase, known as the original servants’ stairs, is accessible from here too.
Two studies and a cloakroom are also located on the ground floor and half way up the stairs there is a half-landing offering access to a small bedroom or sitting room.
There are six double bedrooms on the floor above, all of which are generously-sized and come with built-in storage. Several also have their original feature fireplaces.
A third staircase leads up to two attic rooms in the rafters. These are currently used for storage but could be converted – subject, of course, to the necessary planning consents.
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Around three acres surrounds the former rectory, including a large two-storey former coach house, which has been divided up to create workshop and storage space and Fine & Country say could offer “enormous potential for development.”
Elsewhere, the property offers a south-facing walled garden, complete with a productive vegetable plot and several fruit trees. A sheltered terrace outside the kitchen and sitting room is bordered by roses and there is also a large lawn.
For more information, contact Fine & Country.
PROPERTY FACTS
Church Lane, Brockdish
Offers in excess of £1,500,000
Fine & Country, 01379 646020
www.fineandcountry.com
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