County School, North Elmham

“Light moves through the house from east to west, while expansive glazing ensures the garden remains an ever-present backdrop"

The Beeches is set within three and a half acres of private land on the periphery of North Elmham in Norfolk. This remarkable three-bedroom home is concealed behind a screen of established trees and winding woodland paths, fully embedded within its rural setting. It spans 2,068 sq ft, and a creative use of light and flow epitomises its modern blueprint. At the end of the garden, a romantic two-bedroom summer house maximises the home’s versatile nature with additional living spaces and a high-specification material palette.

The Tour

Built close to the historic site of the former County School, an iconic 19th-century institution, The Beeches is a striking modern home. The frontage belies its historic setting, with a decidedly contemporary character: vertical, weathered Kebony timber cladding is topped with a soaring pitched roofline, and floor-to-ceiling windows draw in the sublime surrounding landscape.

The approach to the house is via a private tree-lined driveway to a discrete front door. It opens onto an entrance hall that gives a first impression of the minimalist, crisp-white finish applied throughout, and a direct line of sight to an open-plan living-dining area beyond. A thoughtful element of the design includes underfloor heating and an energy-efficient air source heat pump.

The current owners designed the bespoke kitchen as an intimate space that seamlessly integrates within the wider living area. The finishes are exceptionally sleek; parallel runs of dark, handleless cabinetry are topped with shot-blasted stainless steel, and integrated appliances by Gaggenau and Fisher Paykel. An expansive skylight draws daylight deep into the double-height volume, amplifying the rich amber pigments of the American black walnut floorboards below. There is a hidden pantry that sits just opposite the kitchen.

A spacious living-dining area completes this central part of the plan with full-height triple-aspect glazing leading to the garden, dissipating the divide between inside and out.

A composed, refined palette continues in the adjacent rooms. In the principal bedroom, horizontal, east-facing picture windows frame the surrounding greenery and draw in gentle morning light, while fitted cupboards provide ample storage. A generous en suite bathroom incorporates dark grey joinery, a white freestanding bath counterpoint, and a walk-in shower, while an expansive mirrored wall amplifies the sense of space and light. Mosaic detailing and smooth pebble flooring lend the room a subtle tactile finish.

Elsewhere, bright, versatile rooms are currently arranged as a guest bedrooms/a study, alongside a shower room and WC. A full-height sliding door conceals a useful utility room and gives access to a large garage and the garden to the side.

Externally, a two-bedroom summer house is fully self-sufficient with a beautifully composed kitchen and spacious living area, and continues the clean-lined detailing of the main home throughout.

Outdoor Space

The house sits within approximately 3.5 acres of lawned gardens, richly planted borders, meadow and woodland, each flowing seamlessly into the next. The planting has been carefully composed to ensure year-round interest, while allowing the architecture to settle naturally into its surroundings with a gentle woodland walk beginning almost from the front door and meandering towards the banks of he River Wensum.

A sheltered terrace occupies one corner, creating an intimate seating area. Steel walkways thread through richly planted borders and lead to a terraced kitchen garden, where low raised beds produce an abundance of seasonal crops, including sweetcorn, courgettes and potatoes, alongside olive trees, drifts of verbena and fragrant herbs. A tranquil pond is a focal point among the planting.

The Area

The Beeches occupies a wonderfully peaceful position just outside the historic village of North Elmham, surrounded by some of Norfolk's most picturesque countryside. The spectacular North Norfolk coast lies within easy reach.

North Elmham has an excellent village shop and local amenities. A short drive away, the Georgian market town of Holt is known for its independent boutiques, galleries and cafés, while Burnham Market, Wells-next-the-Sea and Blakeney offer some of Norfolk's finest restaurants, coastal walks and sandy beaches. The nearby town of Fakenham provides additional everyday amenities, and the city of Norwich is around 40 minutes away. A charming local landmark is the former County School railway station, now housing welcoming tea rooms.

There is a good choice of schools in the surrounding area, including North Elmham CEVA Primary School, Gresham's School in Holt, Langley School near Norwich and Beeston Hall Preparatory School.

Rail services from Norwich, about 40 minutes away, connect directly to London Liverpool Street in around 90 minutes, while Kings Lynn has a direct service to London Kings Cross. The A47 provides convenient road links across Norfolk and beyond.