It used to be one of the grandest houses in Harleston and could be again. Property editor Caroline Culot went to visit Candlers, a fantastic renovation project awaiting the right buyer, for sale for a guide price of £425,000 with Durrants.

Eastern Daily Press: Candlers, Harleston, for sale with Durrants. Pic: www.durrants.comCandlers, Harleston, for sale with Durrants. Pic: www.durrants.com

I saw this house three years ago when it was still furnished with the belongings of its late owner and sadly, now what once was one of the most grandest of houses is looking a little forlorn now.

From the exterior it is one of the most beautiful examples of period architecture you'll find in this part of Norfolk. Famed for its timber framed properties, this is a rare example of 17th century architecture; its first recorded resident was in 1698 so I believe this house is Queen Anne in style with its steeped pitched, hipped roof and seven bays with geometrically placed sash windows.

Eastern Daily Press: Candlers, Harleston, for sale with Durrants. Pic: www.durrants.comCandlers, Harleston, for sale with Durrants. Pic: www.durrants.com

From the front it still looks every bit as majestic as it once was when occupied by the esteemed Archdeacon of Norfolk, Thomas Warburton who lived there from 1763 to his death in 1797. Locals will know, however, that its name refers to Dr Candler or Chandler as he was sometimes named who lived in the house much later, in around 1850, and who was reputed to be a good friend of Sir Alfred Munnings.

Eastern Daily Press: Candlers, Harleston, for sale with Durrants. Pic: www.durrants.comCandlers, Harleston, for sale with Durrants. Pic: www.durrants.com

The house was the doctor's home but also his surgery and there was a room where the medicines were dispensed and another where the patients were seen. This house remained a surgery until newer premises were created.

The challenge has been that the house originally was very large because it included a self contained first floor flat as well as a range of Victorian outbuildings and when it was purchased after going on the market in 2015, these were separated, from the main house which means what is for sale now is a much more manageable proposition.

Eastern Daily Press: Candlers, Harleston, for sale with Durrants. Pic: www.durrants.comCandlers, Harleston, for sale with Durrants. Pic: www.durrants.com

Eastern Daily Press: Candlers, Harleston, for sale with Durrants. Pic: www.durrants.comCandlers, Harleston, for sale with Durrants. Pic: www.durrants.com

Its design is such that it's all at the front - and you have to realise that each room has two or three of those magnificent sash windows so it's almost an illusion in that its front facade makes it look like a much bigger house than it actually is.

Eastern Daily Press: Candlers, Harleston, for sale with Durrants. Pic: www.durrants.comCandlers, Harleston, for sale with Durrants. Pic: www.durrants.com

Eastern Daily Press: Candlers, Harleston, for sale with Durrants. Pic: www.durrants.comCandlers, Harleston, for sale with Durrants. Pic: www.durrants.com

Eastern Daily Press: Candlers, Harleston, for sale with Durrants. Pic: www.durrants.comCandlers, Harleston, for sale with Durrants. Pic: www.durrants.com

Inside, it's very much like a Georgian home in design with two formal receptions, could be a drawing room and a sitting room or a dining room off a large central hall. There is another beautiful reception going into a bay window overlooking the rear garden which is being proposed by the agents as potentially a good room for a new kitchen. Upstairs there are currently four/five bedrooms but potential to create perhaps an en suite from one but I really loved the master with its own little balcony looking out over the garden. What you get that you don't with newer houses are the fantastic proportions; high ceilings, fireplaces, panelling and those unforgettable windows.

Eastern Daily Press: Candlers, Harleston, for sale with Durrants. Pic: www.durrants.comCandlers, Harleston, for sale with Durrants. Pic: www.durrants.com

Eastern Daily Press: Candlers, Harleston, for sale with Durrants. Pic: www.durrants.comCandlers, Harleston, for sale with Durrants. Pic: www.durrants.com

It's a little sad for me as I saw this house when it was still a home, with contents and to return and view it empty makes me hope it will be bought however, it hasn't been neglected, far from it - its owner has invested in it and worked with the local authority to make it structurally more manageable, now offering 3,500 sqft, so that it does appeal to a new buyer.

It offers so much in its features that are all perfectly intact - it has a marvellous cantilevered staircase leading up to a stained glass cupola or roof lantern which streams in light to the landing. There's even an original period bath (possibly Edwardian, maybe Victorian) with its original plumbing - enormous taps which I would not get rid of.

This house can't be what it once was in size, with a palatial plot but that just isn't workable for a modern day owner.

Outside, what you do have is a lovely garden which is really pretty and boasts established trees and plants, ideal for a family and which has been separated off by a brick wall from the outbuildings.

There is also planning for a new car port to go with the property.

The price reflects the fact you are buying a smaller, (albeit still large by most people's standards,) house and that it needs considerable renovation or, ironically what it really needs is a house doctor!

You can contact Durrants on 01379 852217 www.durrants.com