Property description
Sowerbys are delighted to offer this striking Grade II listed country house, occupying an elevated position within grounds of around 1.829 acres(sts) overlooking the pleasantly landscaped gardens and onto meadowland beyond. With a handsome brick façade under a hipped slate and pantile roof, The White House stands out within its well-preserved rural surroundings.
The property dates back to the 18th century, although much of the house was built in the early 19th century, and retains a vast amount of the character one hopes to find within a period property of this type. From high ceilinged and well-proportioned reception rooms to an array of original fireplaces and sash windows which enjoy delightful views over miles of unspoilt farmland.
In brief, the accommodation comprises reception hall, drawing room, sitting room, dining room, breakfast room, kitchen and study on the ground floor; with six bedrooms and three bathrooms accessed from the split-level first floor landing. In addition, there is a sizeable dry cellar and myriad storage rooms.
It should be noted that parts of the property would benefit from some cosmetic updating; although the structure of the building appears in good order. The current owners have periodically refurbished and improved the property since moving in in 1978, most recently re-roofing the main section of the roof in 2013.
SWANTON MORLEY Swanton Morley, an historic village, was mentioned in the Doomsday book as having "a church with one and a half acres, worth two pennies"! It was also the home of the ancestors of Abraham Lincoln. Today it is a large but rural parish, three miles to the north east of Dereham, twelve miles east of Swaffham and sixteen miles west of the cathedral city of Norwich.
ACCOMMODATION COMPRISES:- A timber door at the centre of the south facing façade of the property opens into
RECEPTION HALL A spacious and welcoming entrance area with original tessellated tiled flooring and an impressive timber staircase which rises to the first floor. Doors at either side open to the study and the sitting room, with an inner hall extending from the reception area throughout the spine of the ground floor. The inner hall provides doors to the breakfast room, dining room and drawing room, as well as the boot room and cloakroom.
DRAWING ROOM 20' 1" x 17' 0" (6.12m x 5.18m) A beautifully proportioned double aspect reception room with original sash windows overlooking the pond and marshland beyond. An open fire provides the main focal point to the room.
SITTING ROOM 15' 3" x 14' 4" (4.65m x 4.37m) Another double aspect reception room with windows providing south and east facing views across the gardens. Fireplace.
DINING ROOM 15' 2" x 14' 9" (4.62m x 4.5m) A third reception room with pleasant proportions and an eye catching marble fireplace holding pride of place. Sash window overlooking the pond and countryside beyond, original picture rail and ceiling cornice and exposed timber floorboards.
STUDY 10' 10" x 8' 11" (3.3m x 2.72m) Sash window with pleasant views across the formal lawns to the front, brick built fireplace and a range of fitted shelving.
BREAKFAST ROOM 14' 10" x 13' 9" (4.52m x 4.19m) A two door oil fired Aga with twin hotplate is housed amidst a range of base level and wall mounted storage units along one wall. Timber frame window to rear, built in storage cupboard with shelving and a door opening to a staircase which leads down to the cellar. Door to kitchen.
KITCHEN 12' 8" x 11' 8" (3.86m x 3.56m) With a selection of cream fronted base level and wall mounted storage units extending in an L-shape along two walls with a single bowl sink unit with mixer tap set into the worktops under a timber frame window looking out to the side. Plumbing and space for a dishwasher, washing machine and a tumble dryer, and also space for an electric cooker. Quarry tiled flooring, partially glazed side entrance door and inner door to pantry.
PANTRY 13' 0" x 11' 1" (3.96m x 3.38m) A fantastic storage room with windows to the side and rear and a range of fitted shelving.
CELLAR 30' 11" x 15' 7" (9.42m x 4.75m) Another excellent dry storage space which has been partitioned into numerous sections with pamment tiled flooring.
FIRST FLOOR LANDING Split level landing area with a timber window with internal secondary glazing enjoying stunning views across formal lawns in front of the house and to the farmland beyond. The front section of the galleried landing provides doors to bedroom three and one of two family bathrooms. The rear section of landing opens to bedrooms two and five, with an inner hall leading around to the master bedroom, bedroom six and another of the bathrooms. A third section of landing, to the west of the plan, leads through to bedroom four.
MASTER BEDROOM 17' 0" x 17' 0" (5.18m x 5.18m) A beautifully proportioned double aspect bedroom with sash windows with internal secondary glazing enjoying exceptional views to the south and east.
BEDROOM TWO 15' 10" x 14' 10" (4.83m x 4.52m) Sash window to side and original feature fireplace.
BEDROOM THREE 15' 11" x 14' 5" (4.85m x 4.39m) Double aspect bedroom with sash windows looking out to the front and side, enjoying breath-taking countryside views.
BEDROOM FOUR 12' 5" x 11' 9" (3.78m x 3.58m) Timber frame window to side, built in storage cupboards and door leading to the shower room.
SHOWER ROOM Comprising double width walk-in enclosure with glass screen and chrome mixer shower over, pedestal washbasin and low level WC. Obscure glass window to side and door opening to a small landing which leads to the back staircase and through to bedroom five.
BEDROOM FIVE 14' 10" x 14' 3" (4.52m x 4.34m) Another pleasantly proportioned double bedroom, accessible from two parts of the landing and with a timber frame window looking over the rear garden to the north.
BEDROOM SIX 12' 7" x 9' 4" (3.85m x 2.86m) Currently used as a dressing room to the master bedroom, this room could comfortably be described as a large single room with window with internal secondary glazing looking out to the rear. Alternatively, bedroom six along with the second family bathroom, could easily be adapted into use as a master wing.
FAMILY BATHROOM ONE Located towards the front of the property and with suite comprising panel sided bath, pedestal washbasin and close coupled WC. Sash window overlooking the garden to the front and door opening to a half staircase which leads down to a useful storage room with windows to the side and front.
FAMILY BATHROOM TWO Located towards the rear of the landing, adjacent to bedroom six. This room has been recently refurbished and comprises a panel sided bath with chrome mixer tap and shower attachment over, Victorian style high level WC and pedestal washbasin. The walls have been partially panelled and with an obscure glass window to the side.
OUTSIDE Approached over a sweeping gravel driveway which leads round to a turning and parking area. The gardens and grounds surround the house, with a neatly manicured formal lawn to the south. A recently installed Ha-Ha along the southern boundary divides the gardens from the neighbouring farmland. The lawns continue into a belt of mature woodland which screens the garden from the adjacent roadside. A shingle entertaining area along the east elevation enjoys delightful views of the Wensum valley, with the garden tiered down to a beautiful pond. To the north-west of the house, alongside the parking area, there is a well-maintained hard tennis court.
There are also a range of outbuildings including a garden store and boiler room, both of which are accessed from a small courtyard to the side of the kitchen.
SERVICES CONNECTED Private deep bore water supply, private drainage, oil fired central heating and mains electricity supply.
AGENT'S NOTE There is a right of access over the initial section of the driveway for the use of three other properties.
The house is now being offered for sale with revised boundaries and an acreage of 1.829 (est).
The property will be granted a right of access over the drive to the north.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY RATING An Energy Performance Certificate is not required for this property due to it being Grade II Listed. For more information please visit: http://www.surveyandtest.com/what-do-epc-changes-means-for-agents
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