Manor House Farm Dunburgh Road | Geldeston | Suffolk | NR34 0LL STANDING THE TEST OF TIME

“With centuries of history within its walls, this is a home with a story to share, exquisitely and lovingly restored in recent years, creating a home that’s beyond compare. In five acres of grounds with countryside around, a lovely large pond and ample outbuilding too, it’s a haven for wildlife yet close to two villages – but can you can tear your eyes away from the beautiful view?”

KEY FEATURES

• A Stunning Detached, Grade II Listed, 17th Century Farmhouse situated in 5 acres (sts) of Grounds with enviable Views • Beautifully and Sympathetically Restored, Retaining Character Throughout • Five Double Bedrooms benefitting from breathtaking Views • Three Spacious Reception Rooms with Open Fires and Wood Burners • Family Bathroom, Shower Room and En-Suite Shower Room • Generous Outbuilding with Business Potential, Working from Home, Holiday Let, Annexe • Double Garage, Cart Shed and Ample Off Road Parking for Several Vehicles on Both Driveways • The Accommodation extends to 4,349sq.ft • No EPC Required

Thought to have medieval origins and still retaining Elizabethan features, this magnificent home is a real gem. If you love houses with history, homes with a welcoming feel and plenty of personality, this will win you over in an instant. It’s set on a quiet road running between two villages and enjoys generous grounds that could be put to so many uses. The location is convenient yet idyllic, close to major road and rail links but with a real sense of openness and tranquility.

Perfect Peace When the owners first walked in the door here, they were struck by the sense of peace and calm that they felt throughout the property. “It’s a wonderful house and it’s also a place that had secrets – we’ve made so many fascinating discoveries over the years,” they smile. They have done a huge amount of restoration, working closely with conservation officers to make sure everything is in keeping with the age of the property. During the course of the works, what they thought was a Tudor building turned out to have several signs of being much older, with medieval alcoves and arches uncovered in the porch, the remains of a thick pebbled wall found in the garden, an Elizabethan ladies knife, plus some gorgeous Tudor bricks that were underneath the sitting room floor. What is now the study was originally a cheese room and the shelving is still visible in places.

KEY FEATURES

Approved By Experts All the restoration has been done very well and has been finished with sympathetic fixtures, including bespoke oak windows and doors. The owners were awarded an English Heritage certificate for the lime plastering, confirming the methods and materials are authentic and completed to a high standard. “They told us this was built as a high- status house. You can tell because of the good ceiling height and the carving detail on the beams. It’s thought to have been a hunting lodge,” the owners confirm.

Contemporary Comforts Although there’s plenty of history and character, the house works refreshingly well for modern lifestyles. Most of the rooms are double aspect with large windows, so it’s surprisingly light and fresh. In summer, the thick walls help the house stay cool, so you can sleep easily at night, while in winter, those walls hold the heat in brilliantly. The owners rarely use the heating, preferring open fires instead. It’s a lovely place for entertaining and extended family often gather here for visits, Christmas being a real highlight. “We have several trees and plenty of greenery and it’s magical,” smile the owners. Keen cooks, they have designed the farmhouse kitchen to be as practical as it is attractive, with the Aga lending a cosy feel. The wine cellar is also impressive; cool enough to chill the wine ready for drinking but completely dry.

A Sense Of Space One of the first things that strikes you as you explore the grounds is that the views stretch so far beyond you, giving you a real sense of the surrounding countryside and a connection to nature. The owners’ grandchildren love playing here, fishing in the pond, playing football on the lawn or bouncing around on the trampoline. There’s plenty of space for a paddock or to grow your own and the land would lend itself to both. The owners have never used harsh chemicals or pesticides and this was originally part of a fruit farm, so it’s very fertile. The wildlife is amazing – from herons to barn owls and several types of deer – while the night skies are well worth a mention too. While you feel very rural here, you do have neighbours on each side, so you’re far from isolated. “We’re near to the village amenities and to too, so we can walk through open countryside, stroll to the Waveney nearby, but still hop in the car and get to , the beach, or to the station to catch the train from Diss to meet friends in London.”

INFORMATION

On The Doorstep Geldeston lies on the and is known for its historic lock, now the limit of navigation on the Broads, though small boats can continue upstream. Geldeston still has a boatyard (with canoe hire available) and two pubs, one being the Locks Inn, formerly the lock- keeper’s cottage. Geldeston can be found only a short distance to the sought after market town of Beccles which offers an extensive range of amenities including leisure, cultural and shopping facilities as well as a main line rail link to London.

How Far Is It To... Norwich lays approximately 17 miles North West of Geldeston and offers wide range of leisure and cultural facilities as well as a main line rail link to London Liverpool Street and an international airport. Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft are easily accessible. The attractive market town of Diss is about 23 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.

Directions From Beccles town centre proceed on a northerly direction on the A145 and upon reaching the roundabout take the first exit onto the A146 signposted Norwich. Stay on the A146 for approx. 1 mile and then turn left onto London Road. After 0.2 miles turn right onto the Street which continues onto King’s Dam and then Dunburgh Road. The property will be found on your left.

Services and District Council Oil Central Heating, Mains Drainage, WATER TBA South Council

Norfolk Country Properties. Registered in and Wales No. 06777456. Registered Office - 15B Regatta Quay, Key Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 1FH copyright © 2016 Fine & Country Ltd. Agents notes: All measurements are approximate 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. Printed

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