School Lodge Halvergate | Norfolk Top of the Class
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SCHOOL LODGE HALVERGATE | NORFOLK TOP OF THE CLASS “A former school with heaps of character, this welcoming conversion deserves a high grade. It’s incredibly versatile with annexe potential and with room for friends and family, a place where memories are made. Surrounded by established gardens, it’s incredibly private and south facing too, secluded but within a friendly community with the Broads and beach nearby waiting for you.” • A Converted Former School, which enjoys a Versatile Floor Plan, with a large Range of Outbuildings • Four Double Bedrooms; Three En-Suites and Family Bathroom • Two Receptions • Breakfast Kitchen with Separate Utility and Pantry • Original Character found throughout with Exposed Beams and Fireplaces • Self-Contained Brick and Tile, One Bedroom Annexe/Studio • Further Range of Timber Outbuildings for Storage and Workshop • Shingle Drive provides Parking • Landscaped Gardens extend to approximately 0.3 of an acre • The Accommodation extends to 2,746sq.ft • Energy Rating: F Built in 1928, this former village school remained in use until 1988. It was part converted a few years later and the owner came here in 1993, doing the bulk of the work and creating a magnificent and attractive home in the process. Moving With The Times The property has proved hugely versatile over the years and has adapted to many different circumstances. As it was mostly unconverted when the owners arrived, they had a blank canvas, so they were able to take their time with the layout. The house has changed over the years in line with their lifestyle but it’s proved adaptable enough to rise to every occasion. “At first there was just the two of us here, then we started letting one room for bed and breakfast,” explains the owner, “That was so successful that we began to let more rooms and in the end had a very popular place!” The kitchen can easily cope with cooking for larger numbers and the elegant dining room has space for several tables, so the house has the proportions to remain a comfortable and private home whilst also catering for guests. It could work brilliantly for a newly retired couple looking for that relaxed, rural lifestyle in a popular holiday spot while still bringing in a useful extra income. For All The Family You could have three generations of the same family here as there is annexe potential. You could block off one end of the accommodation to create an independent area with its own entrance and garden. It would be ideal for elderly parents or for adult children yet to get on the property ladder. The large outbuilding also offers opportunities. There is currently a shower room in one part of it, so again, that could be used as an additional guest suite but would also make a wonderful office for anyone working from home, a lovely studio if you have a creative hobby, or a games room for a large family where teens can hang out and entertain their friends. Total Tranquility The sitting room is the owner’s favourite spot – this is a magnificent room with a lovely fireplace, the double aspect windows ensuring it’s filled with light throughout the day. These windows also frame views out over the gardens. “When we came here, this was all still a playground. It was a big job to get that clear! But we landscaped the whole area and it’s matured beautifully, so there’s always something to see and enjoy.” There are little areas of grass that are perfect for children playing out and are easy to maintain, plus brickweave paths winding their way through. While the house is on the road through the village, it’s a very quiet road with little passing traffic and the house and garden can hardly be seen by anyone passing by. “It’s a real haven if you like peace and quiet and there’s a lot of wildlife to see too. It’s been a pleasure to be surrounded by nature.” The village is on the Weaver’s Way and well placed for anyone who likes walking or cycling but it’s also just two miles from the A47 so you can easily get out and about by car. “I have found it to be a very convenient position for the Broads, the coast, Great Yarmouth and Norwich but it still has that lovely country feel.” The Accommodation You take in the wonderful front elevation of the property, before moving through the impressive front door, which takes you into the… Main Reception Hall A door to your right takes you through to an inner lobby, where you have access to the generous… Dining Room Located to the front of the home, the front elevation is almost a wall of glass with views over the terrace, drive and gardens. Character includes exposed beams to the ceilings and walls. Also leading off the lobby, you have access through into the… Master Bedroom Located to the rear of the former school, the master bedroom is once again generous in its size with windows offering a double aspect to the east and west. Further exposed beams can be found in here, whilst a door offers access through into an en-suite shower room. Returning to the main reception hall, a further door provides access through to the utility room, with an external door leading out to the rear gardens. Moving through to the other side of the hall, the current owner incorporates a study area within the inner hallway, where you also discover… Bedroom Two Once again with a large wardrobe and an en-suite bathroom, complete with separate shower. Breakfast Kitchen Located to the front of the converted school, the kitchen incorporates cabinets to three aspects with an island unit found to the centre of the room. A number of appliances can be found throughout including a double electric wall oven, a ceramic hob with induction fan above and a stainless steel sink unit. Whilst there is additional space for a large fridge freezer and a dishwasher. Another large window to the front elevation, which is south facing in nature, ensures plenty of natural light. Set just of the kitchen is the breakfast area, where a door offers external access out to the front terrace. Also leading off the breakfast room is a pantry. Moving through to the other side of the home, you discover the focal point of the home, the… Sitting Room Formerly a classroom within the school, this stunning space runs the full depth of the home, with windows offering a fabulous triple aspect. Within the room itself there are a multitude of exposed beams along with a focal point open fireplace. Leading off the sitting room, you discover… Two En-Suite Bedrooms Both with their own independent external access and are linked by an inner wardrobe. The Grounds Situated centrally within the rural, yet popular village of Halvergate, access is via a shingle drive which sweeps around to the front of the former school and offers parking for several vehicles. The property is bordered from the lane via mature high level hedging on all four sides, providing a great deal of privacy. The drive continues along the eastern side of the property leading to the rear garden, where there are a number of timber outbuildings, which are currently used for storage and workshop purposes, whilst there is also a further brick and tile outbuilding which is a self-contained one bedroom annexe/studio. The front garden consists of a generous terrace, which runs along the majority of the front of the former school house. Additionally there are twin areas of lawn, large garden beds and an entertaining timber decking area, which is tucked away to the south western corner of the garden. Access to the rear gardens can be found to either side of the home, where once again mature hedging affords a great deal of privacy. The garden consists of areas of lawn and shingle with garden beds and mature trees offering a mature setting. Of course within the rear garden you have access to the timber outbuildings and the brick and tile annexe/studio. In all, the gardens and grounds extend to approximately 0.3 acres. 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 town of Acle provides schools, shops, pubs, restaurants, a medical centre, post office, library and a weekly market (visit www.acle-village.info for more information). “The location is wonderful, we are just a 15 minute drive from the centre of Norwich or you can board a train at Acle Station and be in the city in 15 minutes. We are also on the fringe of the Norfolk Broads with all its wherries and waterways.” How Far Is It To… Halvergate lies in between Norwich, which is approximately 16 miles west, and Great Yarmouth, approximately 8 miles east.