A Place in History Brockdish | | IP21 4JS SELLER INSIGHT

Nestled within 18.5 acres (stms) of lush grounds, this wonderfully unique Grade II listed property is steeped in Norfolk history. From the stunning Elizabethan porch to the classically proportioned Georgian reception rooms, there is so much to be impressed and enchanted by in this excellent eight bedroom home.

• Grade II* Listed House • Origins Around 1634 • Fine Elizabethan Three Storey Porch • Some Work Required • Around 18.5 Acres (stms) • Many Useful Outbuildings • Eight Bedrooms • Excellent Reception Rooms • No Onward Chain • Set At the End of a Stunning Driveway

From the moment you approach the hall along the stunning tree lined driveway, this wonderful country residence makes a memorable first impression that is impossible to forget. Surrounded by a backdrop of trees with the unique Elizabethan porch towering against the Norfolk sky, it was over 20 years ago when the current owners first saw the hall but they can still remember the impact it made on them, ‘I first saw the house in a brochure. From only just seeing a picture of the exterior, I thought wow, that’s it! It’s such an impressive property with all the land all around it. The Elizabethan tower was a big attraction too and also the lovely driveway that leads up to the house. It is very enchanting and mystical.’

The house is comprised of a mixture of different historical periods combining to create a building with a fascinating past. There has been a manor house on the site of the Hall since the Domesday survey in the 11th century and there is a part of an older moat close to the house indicating that there was once an earlier medieval hall here. The original house was owned by a number of important Norfolk families with dukes and lords living in the hall throughout the 14th and 15th centuries. In the Tudor period, the Le Grice family owned the hall and they were thought to be “considerable owners and families of distinction” in the Norfolk area.

* 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.

STEP INSIDE A Place in History

The hall was then rebuilt in 1634 to the shape it Inside, the hall is a uniquely atmospheric house and broadly remains to this day. In the Georgian and it offers potential owners plenty of space for stylish, Victorian era it was lived in by a number of vicars and comfortable living with original pamment and quarry curates for the local church of St. Peter and St. Paul in tile floorings, wooden beams and wonderful feature Brockdish. In the 20th century, the hall was restored fireplaces. As you would expect from a house of in part to its former glory and lived in for a decade by this size, the reception rooms are large and well- Sir Malcolm Bradbury, the novelist who taught many proportioned with plenty of flexible living space. The famous writers at the University of East Anglia. sitting room is a superb room with large windows, complete with original shutters, that look out over The hall you see today is an early 17th century house, the garden and fill the room with light. The feature built of brick around a timber frame. The fine three fireplace is mentioned in the Grade II* Listing of the storey porch, dating from 1634, stands at the west property as ‘a late 18th century pilastered fireplace end of the building and was probably the centre of with swags and figure reliefs in the frieze’ and it makes the original E shaped plan, the north wing having been a wonderful focal point to the room. The inclusion of demolished. The porch has stepped gables, octagonal the wood burning stove creates a cosy atmosphere brick corner shafts and moulded brick mullion on cold winter’s nights and the door that opens up windows with leaded panes and brick pediments. into the garden is perfect for warm summer days. The beautiful round headed doorway is framed by a The dining room is a wonderfully grand room with plasterwork pediment with flower detailing. The south plenty of space for a large dining table which is just facing front of the property has been remodelled in perfect for entertaining. The kitchen has heaps of a traditional Georgian style with elegant proportions potential to be refurbished and updated and there is a and a decorative doorway that opens up into the delightful Aga that could easily be incorporated into a garden. more modern design.

The hall is also one of several locations associated The large wooden staircase takes you up into the with the tale known as ‘The Mistletoe Bough’. The Elizabethan porch with ancient beams crossing the story tells of a family celebrating Christmas in ‘The walls and ceiling. The large landing area offers a quirky Hall.’ Tired of dancing, the young bride of the lord’s seating area that is a perfect place to sit and curl up son proposes a game of hide-and-seek and runs away with a book, tucked away in an alcove of the porch. to hide. She seems to disappear without a trace, and Upstairs, there are eight bedrooms spread over two days and weeks go by. Years later someone raises the floors and two bathrooms. There is also a large attic heavy lid of an old wooden chest in a remote part of space that is currently used for storage but could have the house and finds the skeleton of the missing bride. the potential to be further bedrooms subject to the She had hidden in the chest but could not get out relevant Planning Permission or perhaps as a home again, nor could anyone hear her cries. It was said to office space, separate from the rest of the house. be one of the most popular stories in the Victorian era and by the 1860’s it was a tale told by many people at Christmas time. Many notable houses in the country lay claim to this story but whether it actually happened here may never be known!

STEP OUTSIDE A Place in History

Outside, the extensive grounds and gardens are a haven of peace and quiet. There is so much to admire and explore and acres of possibilities of how you could use this space; from keeping animals or chickens, growing your own fruit and vegetables or building a summer house or swimming pool. There are also a range of outbuildings in the garden and they were used to house chickens, pigs and sheep and there are also some stables. The fields total nearly 20 acres, with a half-acre fishing pond near the house. The house also sits on a moat that dates back to the time of Charles ll and it has been alleged that he used the area as a retreat after his deposition. There is a bridge that connects the moat to the fields. The current owners love the natural space, ‘One of my most favourite things about the garden is the copious amount of natural wildlife that occupies the grounds. This is very therapeutic to see even on rainy days.’

Brockdish is a quiet, quaint and historic village situated on the Norfolk/ border in the heart of the beautiful Waveney valley, between the market towns of Diss and Harleston. There is a thriving community in the village, centred around the village pub, The Old King’s Head which specialises in handcrafted pizzas and also serves coffee and cakes during the day. The pub also holds many music and entertainment nights including jazz bands, visiting theatre shows, beer festivals and even art exhibitions showcasing local talent. The Waveney Heritage Centre in the village provides a wide range of talks and events, visits to places of interest and access to social activities such as gardening, books, table tennis, snooker and boules. They also run a yearly heritage festival focusing on the rich history of the area.

The Angles way footpath also runs through the village and along the and there are many other footpaths that will take you out into the surrounding countryside.

Diss is only a 15 minute drive away from Brockdish and offers a wide variety of shops and amenities, including a mainline station with regular trains to Norwich and London Liverpool Street ( Diss to London Liverpool Street, Approximately 90 minutes).

Agents Note

Local Authority: District Council - Band G.

Services: Mains Electricity & Water, Private Drainage, OFCH. texttext 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. Copyright © 2020 Fine & Country Ltd. Registered in and Wales. Company Reg No. 06777456 Registered Office: Norfolk Country Properties Ltd, 15B Regatta Quay, Key Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1FA. Fine & Country Diss 3 Navire House, Mere Street, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4AG 01379 646020 | [email protected]