A Most Impressive & Beautifully Restored
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A MOST IMPRESSIVE & BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED GRADE II LISTED COUNTRY HOUSE WOOD NORTON HALL WOOD NORTON, NORFOLK A MOST IMPRESSIVE AND BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED GRADE II LISTED COUNTRY HOUSE SET IN MANAGEABLE PARKLAND GARDENS WOOD NORTON HALL WOOD NORTON, NORFOLK Fakenham: 6 miles, Holt: 9 miles, Blakeney: 11 miles, Cley-next-the- Sea: 12 miles, Norwich: 20 miles. Ground floor: Reception hall w drawing room w dining room w ballroom/kitchen w playroom w pantry w cloakroom w utility room w cellar First floor: Gallery w master bedroom suite with en-suite bath/ shower room/dressing room w guest bedroom with shower room and cloakroom w further bedroom with adjoining bath/ shower room w office Second floor: Bedroom with en-suite shower room w 5 further bedrooms w bath/shower room Self-contained East Wing Ground floor: Sitting room w dining area w kitchen w WC First floor: 2 bedrooms w bathroom Outside: Mature gardens and grounds w hard tennis court w in all extending to 2.830 acres (est) The Property Wood Norton Hall is a most impressive Grade II listed country house, dating from the 17th century and set in magnificent mature gardens and grounds in a secluded and peaceful position on the edge of this popular and unspoilt North Norfolk village. The house dates from the 17th century and was acquired by the Norris family in 1780 when the house was substantially altered and enlarged. It was further altered and enlarged in the 19th century and was originally the centre of a big estate extending to 1,200 acres, which was eventually broken up in 1928. It is very likely that Sir John Soane, the renowned architect, was involved in altering and refurbishing the house and some features certainly indicate his influence, including a fine vaulted passage hall with niches to either side of the front door in the main entrance hall. The house has a colourful history, notably the fact that Lady Emma Hamilton, a friend of the owners at the time, stayed here and reputedly used the property as a “safe house” for her trysts with Lord Nelson. The house retains much period detail and in particular benefits from beautifully proportioned rooms. There is a fine stone flagged reception hall leading to the staircase hall with a beautifully proportioned drawing room and former dining room (now used as a further reception room/ study) and an especially fine ballroom with oak floor, elaborate moulded plasterwork and an impressive ceiling height. This has been converted into a magnificent kitchen and dining room combined and forms the heart of the house. The current owners acquired the house in 2003 and since then have undertaken a very full and thorough restoration and refurbishment of the property with works carried out to a high standard. This included plumbing, heating and electrical installations, as well as the internal fabric of the building. Many of the original features such as open working fireplaces, elaborate cornice work, fine panel doors and shutters, and flagstone and oak floors have been retained, all of which are found throughout the house. Recently, further work has been carried out including complete external redecoration, much internal redecoration and further refurbishment and updating of the master bedroom bath/shower room/dressing room. There are fine full length sash windows which allow light to flood into the well proportioned rooms, so typical of the period. The main reception rooms flow well off the central entrance and reception hall and there is an elegant canter-levered principal staircase. As well as the main reception rooms and the magnificent ballroom/kitchen, the master bedroom suite is also worthy of note. It has a balcony that catches the evening sun and adjoins a dramatic bath/shower room/dressing room with an 11’ high corniced ceiling. As well as all the accommodation in the main house, there is a useful adjoining wing which is separate and self-contained providing additional accommodation. Outside The house is approached through a wrought iron entrance gate mounted on stone piers via a sweeping gravelled drive, which leads to a large gravelled turning and parking area, which lies to the front and south of the house. The drive continues to the east and there is a further gravelled parking area to the rear and northeast. The house is set in splendid gardens and grounds containing many fine mature trees and are arranged as follows; to the south of the house there is an area of lawned garden with a magnificent weeping ash tree. The lawn is fringed with shrubs, including rhododendron, laurel and yew and there is a belt of woodland with mixed broadleaf trees including oak and a particularly fine lime tree to the southeast. To the west of the house there is an area of formal lawned garden. This continues to the north where it is bounded by a fine old red brick south facing wall. The property is well screened and protected on all sides by mature woodland and shrubs and there are fine ornamental trees including an acacia of the north lawn. To the west of the house there is a Victorian shrubbery with a great variety of mature shrubs and ornamental trees interspersed with mown paths. The gardens and grounds in all extend to 2.830 acres (est). Situation Wood Norton is a pretty rural village about 6 miles from the market town of Fakenham, which has excellent shopping, banking and transport facilities. The nearby village of Foulsham (2 miles) has local shops and a village school. The picturesque Georgian town of Holt is about 9 miles and has particularly good shopping facilities, as well as being the home of Greshams Public School. The North Norfolk coast at Cley-next-the-Sea is about 3 miles to the north of Holt, whilst Burnham Market is about 8 miles to the northwest of Fakenham. The North Norfolk Coast, much of which is classified as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is within an easy drive and has excellent beaches, good sailing and bird watching facilities. Sporting amenities in the region include golf at Sheringham, Cromer, Brancaster and Royal Norwich courses. There is national hunt racing as Fakenham, shooting with a number of syndicated shoots and hunting with the North Norfolk Harriers and West Norfolk Foxhounds. Norwich has a mainline railway station with regular trains to London Liverpool Street with an approximate journey time of 1 hour 50 minutes. The airport to the north of the city has frequent flights to the UK, Europe and beyond with most international destinations available via Schiphol. Agent's Note Some of the photographs used in the brochure were taken in 2008. East Wing East Wing Directions Leave Norwich on the A1067 Fakenham Road, driving through Great Witchingham, Bawdeswell, Bintree and Twyford. At the clock tower in Guist, turn right onto the B1110 signposted towards Holt. After about 2 miles, turn right at the crossroads signposted ‘Wood Norton’. Follow this road into the village, passing the village hall on the left. When you see the church on your left, turn right opposite the second churchyard gate into Hall Lane. Follow this road until it bends to the left ignoring the lane to Manor Farm. As you bear left, the drive to Wood Norton Hall is sign posted at the gate. The postcode for the property is NR20 5BE. Services Mains water (and well supply) and electricity, drainage to septic tank and solid fuel central heating. The East Wing/Cottage has a separate oil fired central heating system. Local Authority North Norfolk District Council: Band H. Fixtures & Fittings All fixtures and fittings including fitted carpets and curtains are specifically excluded from the sale, but may be available in addition, subject to separate negotiation. Viewings Strictly by appointment with Savills. If there is any point which is of particular importance to you, we invite you to discuss this with us, especially before you travel to view the property. Main House gross internal area = 8,569 sq ft / 797 sq m East Wing gross internal area = 1,110 sq ft / 104 sq m Total gross internal area = 9,679 sq ft / 901 sq m Office Pantry 3.49 x 2.74 3.66 x 3.10 11'5" x 9'0" 12'0" x 10'2" Ballroom/ Kitchen Play Room Bedroom 3 8.87 x 7.05 Utility 6.62 x 4.30 6.74 x 4.40 29'1" x 23'2" 21'9" x 14'1" 22'1" x 14'5" Bedroom 2 Bedroom 1 Sitting Room 4.54 x 3.26 5.57 x 4.00 14'11" x 10'8" 5.57 x 3.95 Kitchen/ 18'3" x 13'1" 18'3" x 13'0" Dining Room Bedroom 1 Drawing Room Dining Room 5.33 x 3.26 Bedroom 2 5.93 x 5.36 7.24 x 5.75 5.63 x 5.23 10.68 x 5.49 17'6" x 10'8" 23'9" x 18'10" 35'0" x 18'0" 19'5" x 17'7" 18'6" x 17'2" Reception Hall 8.10 x 4.46 26'7" x 14'8" Ground Floor East Wing First Floor East Wing Reception Landing 4.77 x 4.11 15'8" x 13'6" Bedroom 7 4.98 x 3.45 16'4" x 11'4" Bedroom 8 6.74 x 4.40 22'1" x 14'5" 4.50 x 2.91 14'9" x 9'7" Bedroom 4 Bedroom 6 5.37 x 4.75 5.69 x 4.88 17'7" x 15'7" 18'8" x 16'0" Bedroom 5 4.50 x 2.16 7.62 x 3.10 14'9" x 7'1" 25'0" x 10'2" Cellar Second Floor FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY - NOT TO SCALE Savills Norwich The position & size of doors, windows, appliances and other features are approximate only.