The Willows Chedgrave | Norfolk Relax by the River

THE WILLOWS CHEDGRAVE | NORFOLK RELAX BY THE RIVER

“Sitting down by the river, watching the birds, this is a place where you can so easily unwind. The landscaped gardens are a spacious surprise with plenty of colour and beauty sublime. A former shop, this fabulous home boasts abundant character and charm throughout, while the holiday let adds to the appeal and rounds off a tempting package without a doubt.”

• A very impressive and beautifully presented Grade II Listed Residence, which includes an adjoining Self Contained Two Bedroom Holiday Cottage • Four Double Bedrooms; Attic Bedroom; Two Bathrooms • Three Receptions • Spacious Breakfast Kitchen with Separate Utility • Original Character can be Found Throughout • The Property stands in Delightful Gardens of 1 acre • Rear Terrace; Bordered to the Rear by the River Chet • Garaging; Additional Off Street Parking • The Accommodation extends to 3,564sq.ft • No EPC Required This delightful Grade II listed property comes with a highly successful, two- bedroom holiday let, both of which sit within a lovely village a stone’s throw from all amenities, near to the Broads and a short drive from the coast. Perfect as a family home with income, for a retired couple or even as a weekend retreat, it’s both beautiful and welcoming with huge appeal thanks to its character and versatility. Good Looks And Charm It was the attractive frontage of the property that first caught the owners’ eye. The building dates back to the 16th century in parts and was significantly extended and remodelled in the 18th century with further changes in Victorian times. It’s been used partly as a shop, with a corn store, butchers, blacksmith and bicycle shop here over the years. The two bay windows almost have a Dickensian feel and are the reason for the property’s listed status. It’s this part of the house that was once a bicycle shop and the owners have a photograph of it, with two gentlemen and their bikes outside, from around 1900. Home And Holiday Let A happy home to the owners for nearly two decades, the house has seen significant changes during this time. “When we came here, many of the features had been covered up and the house needed both structural work and restoration to make it into the much-loved home you can see today,” they explain. They have found this to be a flexible abode, with the breakfast room acting as a sociable hub on the ground floor, leading to the sitting room in one direction and kitchen in the other, which itself in turn takes you into the impressive conservatory. What was a small barn where the blacksmith plied his trade was converted into a holiday let back in 2003 and has been very successful, renting through Norfolk Country Cottages. Wonderful Wildlife From the central village position, you’d never guess that the house sits on such a large plot. “This was something that appealed to us – we call it our secret garden. We had it landscaped when we were first here and have enjoyed it ever since,” the owners confirm. Apparently, the former Cannell & Sons seed company premises sat opposite the property back in the day and these gardens were used to trial seeds and breed plants. If you see a plant with a variety named ‘Loddon’ it may well have first been bred here. Additionally, it’s said that a previous occupant had a connection to the Royal Garden at Darjeeling and brought some plants over. The garden leads right down to the river and is a haven for wildlife, with a woodland area adding to the variety. “We see otters and kingfishers, plus birds coming to feast on the feeders. When people come and holiday here, they often comment on the diversity of the birdlife they see. In spring the garden bursts into life as the bulbs flower and colour and interest continues right through the summer and autumn.” Sitting Pretty The house is well situated within Chedgrave and adjoining Loddon, with loads of amenities within walking distance, including a pub and both private and state schools. It’s a popular area with holidaymakers – hence the success of the holiday let – but also has a strong and welcoming year-round community. You can head up to the fine city of Norwich for culture or history, walk along by the river, go fishing, try your hand at canoeing or sailing, watch the birds on one of the many nature reserves, explore the footpaths or cycle routes, or head to the beautiful Suffolk heritage coast. The Accommodation The Grade II listed residence is semi-detached in nature and has been sympathetically renovated and extended by the current owners. The main extension incorporates a spacious kitchen, with an adjoining garden room. From the garden room you have exceptional views out to the west over the gardens, with French doors affording access out to the terrace. The remainder of the accommodation on the ground floor includes the two principal receptions found either side of the main entrance. Additionally there is a study and a breakfast room, which is found just off the kitchen. These original receptions contain an abundance of original character with exposed beams and timbers, as well as fireplaces and pamment tiles. The first floor accommodation consists of four bedrooms, the largest of which has access to its own en-suite shower room. Once again there is an abundance of character with further exposed beams and fireplaces. Large windows provide plenty of natural light. The remaining three bedrooms are serviced by the main bathroom. Sitting adjacent to the main house is an adjoining barn, which was sympathetically extended and cleverly renovated in 2004 to now form a superb, fully self -contained holiday cottage. The ground floor consists of a kitchen area, an open plan sitting and dining room, a separate games room and a downstairs WC. The first floor consists of two double bedrooms, which are both serviced by a central bathroom, complete with overhead shower attachment. Similar to the main house, there is character found throughout the holiday cottage in the form of exposed beams, whilst it also enjoys its own private garden. Agents Note Please refer to the floor plans for both the main house and the holiday cottage in terms of floor area and layout of the accommodation.

The Grounds The property benefits from a twin drive approach, leading to both the main house and the self- contained holiday cottage. Within the front garden there is a smaller detached barn, which is used as a single garage, with additional off street parking for several vehicles. The current owners have created a stunning rear garden, which is bordered by the River Chet. There are large areas of formal lawn, deep garden beds containing a variety of plants, shrubs and trees. These include Swamp Cypress, larger Spanish Brooms which look stunning in July, Black Poplar, Weeping Willows and many and varied fruit trees including Apples, Quinces and Medler. The owners have introduced many shrubs over the years including Hydrangeas and Viburnums together with varied perennials to fill out the summer beds along with a large number of spring bulbs from Snowdrops through to Daffodils in the spring followed by a wild flower display in early summer. There is also a selection of outbuildings including a greenhouse, a timber and tile summerhouse complete with veranda and a timber framed summerhouse. Towards the rear of the garden there is a horseshoe shaped pond, which is fed by the River Chet. Along the banks of the river is a raised timber decking area. From here you have extensive views up and down the river. Additionally there is a raised fish pond found just off the rear terrace. In all, the gardens and grounds extend to 1 acre.

Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and quoted in metric with imperial equivalents and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. * These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent. Printed On Your Doorstep… The market town of Loddon offers day to day facilities. There are good walks locally and Seething Fen lies close by between the parishes of Bergh Apton and Seething Village. Secondary schooling is available at Loddon with schools in the private sector at Langley near Loddon or Norwich. Loddon has an excellent centre with a variety of shops and amenities and Norwich, the Cathedral city has a main line rail link to London Liverpool Street along with an international airport. How Far Is It To… Norwich lies approximately 11 miles north west of Chedgrave and offers a wide range of leisure and cultural facilities as well as a main line rail link to London Liverpool Street and an international airport. The thriving market town of Beccles is approximately 7.5 miles south east. Situated on the River Waveney it has some good riverside walks as well as a plethora of shopping and eateries. Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft are easily accessible. The attractive market town of Diss is about 27 miles south west, with its large variety of shops, auction house and museum. It too boasts a main line rail link to London Liverpool Street.Try www.diss.co.uk for more information. Directions Leave Norwich heading south on the A146 Beccles road, prior to reaching Loddon, take a left hand turn signposted Chedgrave and Langley. Continue for a further 0.8 miles and shortly after The White Horse public house, the property will be found on your right hand side on a right hand bend. Service Gas Central Heating, Mains Water, Mains Drainage South Norfolk District Council

Fine & Country Norwich Office 7 Bank Plain, Norwich, NR2 4SF 01603 221888 & CF

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