Stunning moated Georgian Rectory in Beeston

Described in 2021 in Country Life as "a Georgian haven, complete with a moat and Monet-inspired bridge", the Norfolk Agents are delighted to offer the Old Rectory in Beeston. This is a beautifully appointed Georgian country house, nestled in mature grounds of around 1.25 acres in the peace and privacy of the Norfolk countryside. Dating from 1793, the property is approached via an elegant oval carriage driveway and displays a rich wealth of charm and original character features, many of which have been carefully restored by the current owners. All the main rooms in the house are of manageable size and are south-facing, making the house far less expensive to heat than most similar properties. The picture perfect façade overlooks south-facing landscaped gardens, with a moat and picturesque bridge, a variety of established trees and various outbuildings. These include a 1-bedroom single storey cottage, which has been successfully let out for holidays and short breaks in recent years.

Rectories are understood to have existed on the site for over six hundred years. The current, very striking, 3-storey building offers delightful room proportions with large sash windows, still fitted with working Georgian shutters, and a classical symmetrical appearance. In recent years the property has undergone a thorough schedule of maintenance upgrades and internal improvements, which have been sensitively carried out by the current owners. These include a fully refurbished kitchen and three new bathrooms, a re-modelled ground floor boot room/cloakroom area and professional redecoration throughout.

ACCOMMODATION

Visitors are welcomed through the original front door into a delightful reception hall, with stone flooring and Georgian staircase. To one side of the hall is the elegant drawing room, with a pair of sash windows to the front which overlook the beautiful gardens and fill the room with natural light. There is also an original fireplace, which houses a wood-burning stove and provides a focal point to the room, adding a sense of cosiness. Beyond the drawing room is the library, with a door opening out onto a south-facing terrace and a large sash window which overlooks the moat.

Across the hall you will find a handsome panelled dining room, again offering large sash windows overlooking the gardens and filling the room with light. The dining room also retains its original working fireplace and leads through to the recently refurbished kitchen, which includes a collection of handmade storage units, an AGA and a central island/breakfast bar. There are granite worktops throughout. From the kitchen, an arched window looks out to the front garden, whilst a pair of double doors open onto the secluded terrace, which offers a lovely view over the moat, garden and fields beyond. On the ground floor there is also a useful utility/laundry room, as well as a recently reconfigured boot room and ground floor cloakroom.

On the first floor there are two stunning bedroom suites. The master room offers a separate dressing room and a large en-suite bathroom, as well as an original fireplace. Across the landing you will find the impressive guest bedroom, which again has its own en-suite, feature fireplace and sash windows. From the main landing, another doorway leads to an inner landing and staircase up to the second floor, where there are four further bedrooms and a separate bathroom. All of the bedrooms offer elevated views across the gardens and surrounding countryside. In addition to the bedrooms on this level, the landing itself makes a highly useable space.

The house is attached discretely and narrowly at the rear to former kitchens and servants' quarters, which pre-date the Georgian building and which are now a separately owned dwelling.

THE COTTAGE

From the moat side terrace, the front door opens into the entrance hall, where there is space for boots and coats. The main living area is spacious, with an open-plan kitchen which is fully equipped for visiting guests. The living area has double doors that open out on to a terrace. A wood burning stove creates the focal point of the room. There is also a comfortable double bedroom and a separate shower room.

THE GROUNDS

The property occupies a delightful plot of around 1.25 acres (stms), with mature grounds which include the moat, extending around much of the property. Throughout the grounds there are many established trees, in particular a magnificent copper beech and magnolia, creating beautiful colour for much of the year. The main part of the garden is south-facing, with a professionally designed parterre providing a focal point directly in front of the house. The gated entrance leads onto an elegant carriage driveway and there is estate style fencing extending around much of the property's boundary. To the side of the house on the terrace is a newly constructed gazebo. An attractive wooden bridge crosses the main part of the moat and leads to a kitchen garden with raised beds. The margin of the south lawn has been planted with a variety of trees.

Out of sight through an archway in a huge beech hedge is a detached workshop and carport, providing useful undercover storage and work space. An external staircase leads up to a balcony area which offers wonderful elevated views across the gardens and moat. From the balcony a door leads into an office space/studio which in turn leads through to another large room. The studio is self contained and an ideal working space, incorporating a kitchenette and cloakroom. Subject to planning, this area could be adapted for more formal use.

LOCATION

Beeston is a small village located in the heart of rural mid-Norfolk, only a few minutes' drive north of the A47 and centrally positioned for all of the County's attractions. The nearby market towns of Swaffham and Dereham are only a few miles away, whilst the vibrant city of Norwich can be reached within 35 minutes. The Royal Sandringham Estate is around 20 miles away, whilst the nearest coastline can be reached at Wells-next-the-Sea in half an hour. There is a Primary School in Beeston, as well as the village pub, which has a thriving restaurant. The village hall hosts regular events throughout the year and there is a large recreation ground with children's play area and a very active cricket club. The nearby village of Litcham provides a doctors' surgery, an excellent village shop with post office, a delicatessen/cafe and schooling for 4 to16-year olds.

SERVICES

The property is connected to mains electricity and water supply. Oil-fired central heating to radiators. Private drainage.

TENURE: FREEHOLD

EPC RATING: N/A - (Listed building).

COUNCIL TAX BAND: G

1. Purchasers will be asked to produce ID to satisfy money laundering regulations and we would ask for your co-operation in providing the relevant documentation.

2. While we endeavour to make our sales details fair, accurate and reliable, they are only a general guide to the property. If there is any point which is of particular importance to you, please contact the office and we will be pleased to make further investigations.

3. The measurements indicated are supplied for guidance only.

4. Please note we have not tested the services or any of the equipment or appliances in this property. We strongly advise prospective buyers to commission their own survey or service reports before finalising their offer to purchase.

5. THESE PARTICULARS ARE ISSUED IN GOOD FAITH BUT DO NOT FORM PART OF ANY OFFER OR CONTRACT. THE MATTERS REFERRED TO IN THESE PARTICULARS SHOULD BE INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED BY PROSPECTIVE BUYERS OR TENANTS. THE NORFOLK AGENTS LIMITED NOR ANY OF ITS EMPLOYEES HAS ANY AUTHORITY TO MAKE OR GIVE ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY WHATEVER IN RELATION TO THIS PROPERTY.