Tea on the lawn and Christmases beside a roaring log fire – Beech House at Wicklewood, near Wymondham offers all the pleasures of a tranquil English countryhome but has some surprises too.
Largely dating back to 1860 but older in places, the handsome red brick house, which is on the market at a guide price of £875,000 with Arnolds Keys, is set within approximately two acres of land and was originally a vicarage. Still boasting a wealth of original character, and overlooking immaculate gardens, it has been home to its current owners for some 37 years now.
The couple moved in when their children were young and with the help of friends set about renovating the spacious house.Since then, they have gone on to add a garden room and to convert a former coach house into a two-storey, one-bedroom annexe, which has been a holiday let but could be perfect for extended family. The main house offers well-proportioned family living space: the dual aspect dining room is bathed in natural light and, like the drawing room and sitting room, has a fireplace and original wooden shutters. The drawing room opens into the garden room, which is a gloriously sunny space that gives on to a pretty terrace.
At the front of the house, the sitting room has been fitted with a wood-burning stove and is an inviting place to relax on quiet evenings. Subject to the relevant planning permissions, there could be scope to extend the kitchen, the current owner points out. Yet this is a bright, welcoming room, with plenty of space for a table and a Rayburn stove, and it has been ideal for the family over the years.
The kitchen leads into the utility room, as well as a deep pantry. Also on the ground floor, there are stairs down to the cellar.
A wide staircase leads up to a bright landing, which gives on to four bedrooms and the very generous family bathroom. Here there is a beautiful, original roll-top bath, which has been re-enamelled by the owners. The bedroom currently used as the master is a beautiful space, with sunshine streaming in on two sides. Another similar-sized room has an en suite shower room and had been great for guests.
There are two more bedrooms on this floor, one of which is currently used as a study, and then a door leads into the upper level of the annexe. The beauty of this arrangement, explains the owner, is that the property can be opened back up into one home when family members descend on special occasions. The grounds at Beech House complement the home beautifully.
There are extensive formal gardens and wooded areas which have been left more natural for wildlife. There is even a hollow where it is thought the clay lump for the older part of the house was dug up from. Behind a hedge is a large fruit and vegetable garden, and it is here that solar panels are also tucked away.
What is also exciting about Beech House, however, is that there are a number of outbuildings which could (subject again to the relevant planning permissions) possibly hold scope for conversion. One of these is brick-built, with a slate roof, while others have a more agricultural style, but anyone seeking to create additional accommodation or work space could certainly explore these options.
Beech House is a beautiful family home; it is in a tranquil situation yet within easy reach of Norwich. It already offers great versatility as well as period elegance and it could be further enhanced by new owners if they wished.
Beech House is on the market with Arnolds Keys at a guide price of £875,000. For more information call 01603 620551 or visit arnoldskeys.com.
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