Hockering | Norfolk YOU’RE in LUCK

Hockering | Norfolk YOU’RE IN LUCK

“This delightful country cottage is a real find, with wonderful character features throughout. From open fireplaces and exposed beams to views of the garden, the appeal of this home is never in doubt. In a lovely position down a quiet no through road, backing onto the school in a setting sublime, part of the village but peaceful and private, a position to adore and a home to stand the test of time.”

• A very pretty Detached Cottage situated within the village of Hockering with Easy Access to the A47 Southern Bypass • Two Bedrooms; Two Receptions; Main Bathroom • Original Character includes Exposed Beams and a Wood Burner • Good Size Gardens • Timber Garage • The Accommodation extends to 643sq.ft • Energy Rating: E This charming country cottage has been beautifully maintained by the current owners, retaining many original features and having been sympathetically updated with a light touch. It’s comfortable and flexible, with all of the property being privately enclosed to add to its ample appeal. A Home With Heart The owners of this quaint and unique cottage have spent a very happy five years here and are only leaving as they relocate from Norfolk: “Selling our Norfolk home has been a very difficult decision. The cottage is splendid, especially in the beautiful spring and summer seasons. We love its cosy charm and picturesque green outlook,” they explain. Thought to have been originally a farm cottage, it must have seen many changes over the 300 or so years it has stood here. It has been extended, and cleverly and sympathetically updated, yet retaining abundant period character. Welcoming And Bright It is a lovely welcoming house and, with its attractive fireplace, makes every evening perfect. “This fireplace would have been the main cooking and heating area of the original farm cottage the centre of the home life, a true hearth. While we loved the open fire stove that was in the property when we bought it, we replaced it with a new highly efficient yet rustic multi-fuel closed burner, that is much more efficient, clean and better insulates the house from external noise and cold air entering through the chimney; and it is much safer too, so that we all can be by the fireplace and enjoy the warmth. It is amazing how fast the house warms up only with the stove, and we just can’t help starting the fire as we arrive home on a cold day, it makes the house so cosy and welcoming”. They have spent many a happy evening reading or watching films in here, or hosting friends and family. “We arranged the main room of the house as a true living room, as our sitting and dining room so we could make the most of the view and all the wildlife out there, whether we’re relaxing on the sofa or eating at the table. The living room is truly the heart of our home, just as it would have been 300 years ago, directly connected to the kitchen and the rest of the house to warm up every room from the fireplace. It is impossible to explain how great feeling it is to enjoy this house, and we will really miss it; hopefully we find another home like this at our next destination.” The cottage faces south, so both the house and garden receive full sun, flooding the bathroom with first light and the rest of the house from then on. All the rooms in the cottage offer views out over the garden, with the kitchen a particularly pleasant outlook. The owners have started a family during their time here and have found that, while this is a relatively small home, there is plenty of space for their toddler to spread his toys out and play freely. Colourful Surroundings The entire property is completely and privately enclosed, with a drive large enough to allow for parking of two cars behind the gates. “It actually gives you a feeling of tranquillity and protection, and therefore freedom, you feel absolutely free to leave the doors of the house open to the garden because the entire property is fully closed from the outside; and it creates a perfectly safe environment for our son to play and run freely. It is fantastic, particularly during the warm days of spring and summer, when we start the day with breakfast in the terrace and follow with lunch at the shade of the trees in the south-east corner, and end with dinner wherever we choose in the garden”! The property has a splendid garden to which the owners have devoted as much time as possible, carefully planting to enjoy colour throughout the year and to attract abundant birdlife, butterflies and insects too. “We have planted crocus, dahlias, tulips, different lavender and salvia varieties, butterfly bushes, and more flowers, with some imported varieties from overseas, all to attract a wealth of pollinizing insects; we have also planted a willow tree, apple tree, walnut and even a raspberry bush that’s very productive, to complement the eucalyptus and laurel that flood the garden with such pleasant scents. We have also planted a honeysuckle bush and jasmine to climb the arch at the back of the garden. And we set up a vegetables and herbs growing area behind the south fence and shed”. A Desirable Village Hockering is a popular place to be as it’s well served with a school, Post Office and shop, a reliable garage, beautiful church, playground and more. Surrounded by farmland and with well-regarded ancient woodland, it provides plenty of possibilities for walks in the rural Norfolk countryside. There are two near-by general practitioner surgeries in the villages of Matishall (2 miles away) and Lenwade (4 miles away) and more choice in Dereham. It’s also conveniently positioned close to the A47 which is set to be dualled and moved further south over the next few years, so villagers will benefit from this without being disturbed by traffic noise. You’re close to Dereham in one direction and Norwich in the other, with the retail park at Longwater and the Park and Ride just ten minutes away. It means you can enjoy peaceful country living in this picture-perfect cottage but still be sitting at your desk in well under half an hour. The Accommodation The main entrance to the property can be found to the rear of the cottage where you move through a stable door which leads into the… Kitchen Cream cabinets can be found to three aspects contrasting beautifully with the high gloss work surfaces. Integrated within the cabinets you discover a larder fridge, a dishwasher and an extractor hood whilst there is additional space for a further range of white goods including washing machine and a stove. Within the work surfaces there is a single sink drainer with a window above offering pretty views over the garden. A delightful aspect of the kitchen is the artisan crafted set of tiles painted with farm animal motives and culminating at the cooker place with a large representation of the cottage itself on an idyllic farm landscape. From the kitchen you move through to the... Sitting Room You immediately notice the exposed beams overhead as well as the fireplace found to the far wall; another window to the rear elevation captures views over the terrace and gardens whilst you also note the recessed shelving to one wall. A door takes you through into the… Main Bathroom The three piece suite is dominated by its central rolltop bath with hand held shower attachment, there is also a wash basin and a high level WC, all of which contrast beautifully with the tiled floor and exposed beams found over. Two glazed windows offer an easterly aspect. Returning to the sitting room you move through to the opposite side of the cottage into the…

Dining Room A versatile room it could be used for a number of different purposes, the current owners incorporate it as a dining area but it could also be utilised as a guest bedroom, study or playroom. A window offers a westerly aspect and the only view to the lane outside the property, whilst a door offers access out to the terrace and gardens. Returning to the sitting room you move up the staircase found to the side of the fireplace to the first floor. Master Bedroom A good size double bedroom benefitting from part vaulted ceilings whilst exposed beams and timbers can be found to all four aspects. A south facing window offers a beautiful view over the terrace and gardens, and receives plenty of natural light all day long. Although this would naturally be the main bedroom, the current owners use it as a versatile room mostly as a study and working room with a desk, and playing area for their child. It also offers enough space for wardrobes and other storage. A further door takes you through into… Bedroom Two This bedroom is accessed off the main bedroom. It is currently being used as the main sleeping room, carefully furnished to provide a cosy atmosphere but also full functionality. Its character is similar with a multitude of exposed beams and timbers with another large window to the front elevation capturing views of the garden. The Gardens Access to the property is via a shingle drive which leads through double timber gates, the shingle drive then in turn leads to the rear of the garden directly to a timber garage/workshop. The rear garden is a combination of shingle drive and lawn with deep garden beds found to its perimeters, close boarded fencing affords privacy from neighbours whilst a pretty picket fence acts as a rear boundary beyond which a stream divides the cottage from the local primary school. From the bottom of the rear garden you have the prettiest views back at Horseshoe Cottage where you also note a terrace leading off the kitchen and dining room. On the eastern side of the home is a part enclosed shingle area where you discover the oil tank and the utility area including the storage of bins. Here a gate then affords a separate access out to the laneway.

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 village of Hockering has a shop, public house, post office and a popular village school. It is also only a short drive from the bustling market town of Dereham, which has a large range of amenities including two superstores, a newly constructed leisure centre, a good range of shops, library, cinema, hotels and restaurants. You also have easy access on to main trunk roads into Norwich, Kings Lynn and out of county areas. How Far is it To… The property is situated in the village of Hockering, which has fantastic access to Norfolk’s major trunk roads. It lies approximately 17 miles south-east of Fakenham and 11 miles west of Norwich. Often described as the “Gateway to the North Norfolk Coast”, the thriving market town of Fakenham has the famous Fakenham Race Course, Pensthorpe Waterfowl Park and The Thursford Collection right on its doorstep. For more information go to: www.fakenhamweb.co.uk, whilst the Cathedral City of Norwich offers a wide range of cultural and leisure facilities and a variety of good schools both in the public and private sectors. Norwich also has its own main line rail link to London Liverpool Street and an International Airport. Directions Leave Norwich heading west on the A47 Southern Bypass, take a right hand turning off the A47 signposted Hockering. Upon entering the village turn right into Rectory Road whereby shortly after the road forks, keep to your right into Chapel Lane where Horseshoe Cottage can be found to the bottom of the lane on your right hand side. Services Oil Central Heating, Mains Water, Mains Drainage Breckland District Council

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