Ivy House Fincham | Kings Lynn | PE33 9EH NEW LEASE of LIFE

Ivy House Fincham | Kings Lynn | PE33 9EH NEW LEASE OF LIFE

A very pretty, yet quite substantial, Grade II listed, Georgian house sits on a corner of a relatively quiet road in the village of Fincham, West Norfolk, about five miles east of Downham Market with its fast train service (65 minutes) to London Kings Cross, and with the local primary school rated Outstanding by Ofsted. The property has been a much loved, family home for about twenty years for the current owners, although an ongoing restoration project, which still continues today, but for anyone with a love of historical buildings full of character and original features, and has enthusiasm to complete Ivy House’s transformation, this is a prime opportunity.

• Superb Village setting for this Character Cottage • Would benefit from updating • Accommodation over three floors and also includes a Cellar • Hall Entrance, Sitting Room, Dining Room, Bathroom & Kitchen • Three Bedrooms on the first floor with two further rooms on the 2nd floor • Gardens and Parking • Total Accommodation extends 2401sq.ft • Grade II Listed

Fine Proportions and Original Features Built around 1740 set over three floors with five bedrooms, the very generously proportioned rooms have high ceilings, Georgian timber sash windows – one exceptionally large, many of the original Georgian panelled doors, old floorboards, period fireplaces and some nearly three-feet thick walls downstairs keeping the house cool in summer. “We bought the house in 1999 in a derelict state but were taken by the fine proportions and original features, and the potential to bring the property back to its former glory,” says the owner. “It has been a lovely family home for us, but a relatively slow restoration process with work commitments whilst bringing up our children, and we wanted to do it as thoroughly and sympathetically as we could. A lot of work has been carried out not visible to the eye, to ensure the building’s stability and I can assure anyone it is all sound, waterproof and stable.”

Central Heating and Sizeable Cellar The property has an oil-fired central heating system which was installed around 2001. It also has a sizeable cellar with a window to the front, which has been fitted with a convenient sump pump for the extremely rare occasion when there are abnormal amounts of continuous rainfall.

OUTSIDE Sheltered, Private, South Facing Garden The house is set back from the road behind a thick hedge flanking the metal gate to the pretty, half-glazed front door with arched details. The façade of mellow yellow brick is host to several climbing roses that create a very appealing, colourful frontage in summer. Vehicular access is to the rear, around the corner down Boughton Road, where the south facing garden lies. Bordered by a high brick wall along the eastern boundary, a real sun trap is formed within the courtyard outside the two back doors where a mature wisteria flowers up to three times a year.

Old Bakehouse for Restoration Here, a derelict outbuilding that has been underpinned to stabilise it, awaits restoration. This was originally a bakehouse, and with a considerable amount of work (with the necessary consents), would make an excellent extra room or two, perhaps a home office, a garden room, or, if connected to the house, a lovely big open plan kitchen. “We have dismantled the building to make it safe, cleaning up the bricks and pantiles and stacking them in the garden so they’re all there ready to reuse,” affirms the owner. “In part of the fireplace you can see the old ovens. The flint and brick property that adjoins the main house – now a second home to a family in London - was once part of Ivy House and has had various uses in the past, such as a doctor’s surgery and a butcher’s shop. When it was the latter, the outbuilding was the bakehouse for the butcher’s.”

The rest of the garden is a private, grassy space featuring a mature birch and hazelnut creating dappled shade, and a couple of little fruit trees, with timber fencing separating the neighbour, and a hedge and pedestrian gate at the far end.

Small, Friendly Village Fincham is five miles east of Downham Market and about ten miles south of King’s Lynn. It is made up of some very attractive historic buildings including St. Martin’s Church, Fincham Hall and Talbot Hall, and is home to The Swan pub which serves English and Thai food offering a take-away service. “Having been here twenty years we can vouch for Fincham being a nice little village,” attests the owner. “As we’re only five miles from Downham Market.

Outstanding Primary School Although there are primary and secondary schools in Downham Market, Swaffham and King’s Lynn, St. Martin at Shouldham C of E Primary is rated Outstanding by Ofsted in the neighbouring village of the same name. Here too, are some wonderful walks in Shouldham Woods, whilst it is only about a half hour drive to the Norfolk coast at Heacham, the start of miles of unspoilt sandy beaches along the North Norfolk coast.

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… Fincham is a small village about six miles east of Downham Market with its direct rail link to London, nine miles west of Swaffham, and twelve miles south of King’s Lynn. It has a pub and a church: the traditional country pub, The Swan, serves food, and the church of St. Martin’s was built during the Middle Ages and was renovated extensively by the Victorians.

How far is it to?… Downham Market is 5 miles to the west of Fincham. It has excellent rail links to Cambridge (35 mins) and London (1 hr 25 mins), a leisure centre, an Academy school and good shopping facilities. The cathedral city of Norwich, with its fine restaurants, shopping malls and cultural events throughout the year, is 37 miles to the east. The North Norfolk coast, an area of outstanding natural beauty, with miles of sandy beaches is some 35 miles away.

Directions... From Downham Market enter Fincham from the A1122, proceed through the village and the property will be found on the right hand side. Idenified by our For Sale board, for those using satellite navigation the post code is PE33 9EH.

Services.. OFCH, Mains - Water & Sewage The property is Freehold Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough - Band C

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