Browne’s Croft Barn, , - 5.7 miles - 3.1 miles Loddon - 6.9 miles

A renovated and unique barn conversion full of PERIOD FEATURES with spacious and flexible accommodation of approximately 2200 sq ft (STS), quietly situated in the popular and ‘much sought after’ village of Surlingham just South of Norwich with a total PLOT SIZE of circa 1 acre and boasting countryside views. HUGE POTENTIAL for further accommodation using the OUTBUILDINGS, including possible ‘granny annexe’, holiday lets, office, studio or workshop. (Subject to necessary planning consent). Accommodation comprises briefly: Internal: • Entrance hall • Sitting room • Dining room • Kitchen/Breakfast room • Rear lobby • Utility room • Study/office • Cloakroom • Split level galleried landing • Master bedroom with en-suite shower room • Three further bedrooms (one of which is a mezzanine) • Family bathroom Outside: • Long sweeping drive lined by mature pine • Ample driveway parking and turning space. • Plot size of circa ‘one’ acre (STMS) • Fantastic country views over neighbouring farmland. • Beautiful gardens & lawn area

Outbuildings: • The range of outbuildings has huge potential for further additional accommodation including possible ‘granny annexe’, holiday lets, office, studio or workshop. (Subject to necessary planning consent). • Store room – with garage up and over door. • Large double garage - Two up and over garage doors, inspection pit, power and light. • Large storage building/Further triple garage - Two up and over garage doors, power and light. • Potting shed/Garden room - Conservatory style room off the large storage building with windows to all sides and power. Fixtures and Fittings All fixtures and fittings including curtains are specifically excluded from the sale, but may be available in addition, subject to separate negotiation.

Services Oil central heating, septic tank, mains water & electricity.

EPC Rating: E

Local Authority District Council Tax Band: F Postcode: NR14 7DE

Agents Note At the front of the driveway the neighbouring farmer has a right of way into the field. The vendors mentioned to us that this has been rarely used but nevertheless there is a legal right of way in place. The property is offered subject to and with the benefit of all rights of way, whether public or private, all way leaves, easements and other rights of way whether specifically mentioned or not.

Tenure Vacant possession of the freehold will be given upon completion.

Location Just a short drive from the centre of vibrant Norwich, pretty Surlingham is an ideal place to live for anyone seeking a country lifestyle, as well as city comforts. The quiet village nestles on the doorstep of the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, Britain’s largest protected wetland and home to some of the rarest plants and animals in the country. Here there are some 125 miles of navigable waterways to explore by boat, as well as foot and cycle paths, and bridleways. The village has two popular pub/restaurants set on the banks of the . Browne’s Croft Barn is set in the old centre of the village just 100 yards from the Norman parish church of St Mary with its picturesque round tower and tithe barn, adjoining a noted RSPB reserve. The town of Poringland is 3 miles distant and has a selection of amenities including High School. The Cathedral City of Norwich is about 5.7 miles to the North and has a mainline train link to London Liverpool Street (1hr 40mins). Guide Price: £650,000

HISTORY OF THE BARN Archaeologists have long believed that the area in which the barn and Church Farm stand has been continuously occupied for thousands of years. In 1953, when the track to the adjoining field from road was being dug out, a Neolithic (4,000 to 2,500 BC) chipped flint axehead was discovered. The site is at the top of the existing driveway where it turns towards the property and is detailed on the Norfolk Explorer website.

The most recent evidence of occupation comes from aerial photographs which seem to show the site of an Anglo-Saxon farm towards Cross Lane. Pottery shards from the same area have been identified as Roman and Saxon. A track across the fields, probably used by people on their way to the former St Saviour’s church (now a ruin) has revealed a number of interesting finds including brooches, coins and trinkets.

It is unclear when the farmhouse was built but the barn is known to have been in existence in 1799. Marked bricks within the property, discovered during its conversion to a house in 1983, have the date July 4 1801 but these were in an extension to the original building. The soft red bricks would have come from the brickyards at the end of Church Lane directly across the road.

On the end of the property adjoining the road, two sets of initials are carved high on the wall “R.B. J x C 1808”. These were probably carved from the top of a loaded hay wain and the initials are almost certainly the young John Browne, whose father Henry farmed at Church Farm at the time, and went on to take it over; and John Curtis, a farmhand who lived in the village.

The Enclosure Map of 1822 shows the barn more much more substantial than it is today, with an extension running along the roadside wall, and owned by Henry Browne together with the surrounding lane. This was probably used for animals along the edge of the farmyard. The field name in 1841 is given as Browne’s Croft.

The original barn building runs from the outside wall of the dining room to the wall in the lounge dividing it from the kitchen. The supports for the barn door opening on to the former farmyard are still in place on the original doorposts on the landing.

An extension was added at some point and it appears that this housed a cider press to provide cider for the village from the apples which grew in the adjoining field. An iron ladder went up to an opening, and the marks of boots worn into the brickwork are clearly visible. What is now the kitchen became the office of The Fruit Farm, as it was known for many years, with its entrance through the extended farmyard of with a door to the left of the kitchen window.

The barn was sold to a builder Terry Clarke in 1983 who converted it into a home for he and his wife Ann. They joined their first names to call it Terran House. The original field name was re-instated in 1993. To arrange a viewing please call us on 01508 521110

OFFICES THROUGHOUT NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK Other Offices: Loddon Residential Sales Norwich City Centre 01603 859343 22 High Street www.muskermcintyre.co.uk Diss 01379 644822 Loddon, Norfolk 01986 888160 Important Note: The floor plan is not to scale and is only intended as a guide to the layout. For clarification we wish to inform prospective purchasers that we have prepared these sales particulars as a general guide. NR14 6AH 01502 510180 We have not carried out a detailed survey, nor tested the services, appliances and specific fittings. Furthermore NB:1. All dimensions are measured electronically and are for guidance only. 2. Descriptions of a property are inevitably subjective and the descriptions contained herein are used in good faith as an opinion and not by way of statement of fact. 3. Information regarding tenure, length of lease, ground rent and service charges Halesworth 01986 888205 Tel: 01508 521110 is provided by the seller. These details do not form any part of any contract. Items included in a sale (curtains, carpets etc) are for you and your solicitor to agree with the seller. Harleston 01379 882535 [email protected]