Bell BarnLime Kiln Road | West Dereham | Norfolk | PE33 9RT

Bell Barn

• Located on the Very Edge of the Small Norfolk Village• Wonderfully Positioned Overlooking Undulating Farmland• A Quality Brick & Flint Barn Conversion Under a Pantile Roof• Benefiting from a Gorgeous Oak & Glass Kitchen Extension• Reception Room, Dining Room, Sitting Room, Large Studio

Room /Study• Five Double Bedrooms Plus Two En-Suites Plus a Family

Bathroom• Energy Efficient with Solar Panels, Sealed Unit Windows

Throughout• Timber, Painted Annex / Hobby Building with Double Doors

For Storage• Circa 0.7 (stms) Of an Acre of Garden, Shed

BELL BARN

Bell Barn once a beer store of old,Today a restored glorious home to behold.

Surrounded by meadow and wheat,This is a heavenly place to restore the soul and feel complete.

Location, Location and What a Location!

The small leafy parish of West Dereham with its big skies and open expanses of land is situated in southwest Norfolk and is a perfect place for countryside appreciation and the ‘good life’. It is conveniently situated some 4 miles from the quaint country town of Downham Market, where you can catch the train direct to London King’s Cross. King’s Lynn, a larger town is 12 miles north, Wisbech 17 miles west and 37 miles to the east is the historic city of Norwich.

A Potted History

The name ‘Dereham’ apparently comes from the Old English for ‘enclosure for deer’. Interestingly the present owner says “we regularly see deer and barn owls going about their business in the meadow beyond the house”. The parish is long and ancient in history, being well-established by the time of the Norman Conquest and mentioned in the famous Domesday Book of 1086.

St Mary’s Abbey, West Dereham, was founded in 1188 by Hubert Walter, Dean of York, who was born here and is its most famous son. This most revered man was an influential royal adviser in the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries in the positions of Chief Justiciar of England, Archbishop of Canterbury, and Lord Chancellor. Walter was not noted for his holiness in life or learning, but historians have judged him one of the most outstanding government ministers in English history. Upon his death in 1205, he was buried in Canterbury Cathedral, next to Thomas Becket, where his tomb can still be seen.

Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539, the site and associated lands were granted by Henry VIII to Thomas Dereham of Crimplesham and sadly the abbey fell to ruin, although it is said the buried foundations survive and can be seen as cropmarks on aerial photographs.

The ancient 13th century village Church of St Andrew’s is one of 124 existing round-tower churches in Norfolk. This rare style is mostly found in East Anglia, there being about 185 surviving examples in the country! To this day it is an active hub of the village.

Bell Barn has been built in glorious flint and brick exuding warmth and character and has it’s own history according to the present owner: ”The reason for the name of the property is because there used to be a pub across the road called the Bell Inn and here in the old barn was where the beer barrels were stored!”. The barn was then “in about 1991 bought by a local builder who rebuilt it and lived here until 2006 when he sold it to us. We have re-designed and improved the property, bringing light into the building and adding bathrooms, the office, conservatory and making a bespoke kitchen”.

How Lovely Art Thou Garden

The large garden is varied in its layout with so many interesting, fun and useful features. The pond provides a focal point with its assorted life of gold fish, shubunkins, newts & toads. The summertime providing much polliwogs or tadpole activity, a joy for all children in particular! There is a safe enclosed area of garden for dogs to be contained but still able to go in and out of the home. Many mature shrubs and trees adorn the green and pleasant space. There are also two patios to choose from; one outside the Garden Room/Conservatory the other outside the Dining Room. Within this garden are a number of small outbuildings: the contemporary “Victorian style” Greenhouse with its aluminium guttering that has been lovingly built by the present owners where “we grew delicious tomatoes, cucumber & chillies”. The large Workshop is a dream space ready and waiting to be turned into whatever you desire. The owner says of it “I have a thing about insulation so the walls, floor and roof are all insulated and it could be quite easily turned into an Annex”. The third and final outbuilding is the generously sized Garden Shed which is presently used to store all the garden equipment. So much external space to utilise!

To complete the outside tour there are the 33 Solar Panels on the expansive roof space. The property is energy self-sufficient, the owner says “our hot water is all free and our tariff of approx. £2,650 p.a. pays for oil, electricity and there is some left over”. How brilliantly cost effective is that!

Bell Barn Interior

Having driven down the elegant gravel drive and through the brick entrance posts you draw majestically into the courtyard. Here the soft green painted woodwork of the doors and windows and the brick and flint walls, beckon you into the home.

Through the covered front entrance door you step into a spacious Entrance Hall and the first thing that impresses you is the warmth of the solid french oak flooring before you. The second thing is the openness of the the Hallway with light flooding in from all directions.

Before you is an open-plan Southern Yellow Pine (from United States) wooden staircase (carpeted) with soft moss green painted

panelling running up the walls.

Pleasingly all the downstairs rooms run off the Hallway.

To your left are three rooms: WC, Study and Sitting Room. The Sitting Room is a substantial size and has been used for a variety of purposes, and as the present owner indicated it has been “a games room with a table tennis table and snooker table”.

Hereto lies the phenomenal Dining Room, with it’s double doors into and then out to the garden. The length of the room on both sides are of original uncovered brick and flint, whilst the other two parallel walls are painted a red brick colour. This together with clever lighting, gives a unique, breathtaking and impressive feel to superior dining! The brick flooring finishes the magnificence of this one off room. If you are a connoisseur of fine fayre, an artist or interior designer, this is a statement room with the wow factor.Reception Room another generous sized room exuding warmth and comfort. The original old beam stretches the width of the room with a charming brick fireplace enclosing a snug log stove. Double aspect windows allow light to flood inside making this a room for all seasons.

Now we step into the beating heart of the home, a really joyful place - the Kitchen and Garden Room/Conservatory.

When it comes to parties, there is one place where everyone seems to gravitate; the spot where all good gossip is created and shared. It is not the Sitting Room, the patio or the garden, the eye of the storm is always in the kitchen. This is one such space!

Here the bespoke kitchen, “crafted by a local joiner”, is illuminated by its solid french oak woodwork, its porcelain tiled flooring and granite worktops. The details within are many: • The ‘fire-place’ enclosing the Rangemaster Elan 110 with its ceramic top, 6-ring burners, double oven, grill and warming drawer - a joy to both the enthusiast and novice chef! • The modern take on the old fashioned Belfast Sink. • Room for a good size table and chairs. • The space for both a large Fridge and Freezer. • A wonderful amount of storage. • The central island with its wine racks and yet more granite work surface - perfect for rolling your pastry! This then naturally leads through to the dazzlingly delightful Garden Room/Conservatory with its underfloor heating, perfect for winter

The original old beam stretches the width of the room with a charming brick fireplace enclosing a snug log stove.

and for summer with its double facing french doors leading out onto a patio and garden. “Being double facing, the doors when open on a hot day, give a wonderful through draught and there are the four velux windows in the glass ceiling which are remotely controlled, for added ventilation.” It is hard not to imagine one ever really wanting to leave this invitingly sunny hub whatever the weather, whatever the season. This is a place for a cuppa, long cool drink or a wee tipple all year long!

Off the kitchen is the Utility Room housing the washing machine, tumble dryer, boiler, sink and more storage. Also found here is a separate W.C. and side door to outside, “we call it the Tradesman’s Entrance”.

Leading off the Utility Room is the Office/Studio. The present owners “converted the garage 2 or 3 years ago into this Studio with underfloor heating”. With desk surfaces aplenty this is a seriously easy room to knuckle down to work of all kinds. Light floods in from windows 3-sides of the room plus inset spot-lights in the ceiling overhead. Alternatively, it could be an exercise room or a Dance Studio! In here too is the storage cupboard connected to the outside Solar Panels.

First Floor

The first thing that strikes you about walking upstairs is the gallery effect of the commodious upper hallway overlooking the lower hall giving a feeling of freshness, light and dimension.

Here we find five generously and varied sized double bedrooms with two being en-suite and a third with a sink. All have countryside views and as the present owner said “If you stick your head out of the Master Bedroom you can see the beautiful village Church!”. This room too has a wonderful walk-in wardrobe.

The bedrooms have all been painted in calm neutral colours, giving pleasing clean lines and spaciousness. Of note are the pretty window sills or maybe even window seats, showing the depth of the walls of the property.

The use of natural wood is echoed upstairs with not just the polished wood window sills, but the bathroom finishes, most

If you stick your head out of the Master Bedroom you can see the beautiful village Church!”

skirting boards and the wood painted panel enclosed sink in Bedroom 5. Also in this bedroom is access to the attic with further storage space.

The sumptuous ample Family Bathroom has a timeless look, with its Travertine stone tiles and white bathroom suite including a bidet and shower. In central position the bath includes a shower mixer tap, always useful!

A bit of fun!

As you enter the village of West Dereham, look out for the signpost and you will notice the horse drawn cart. The contents of that cart have a story to tell…

America & Australia might have had the Gold Rush but here in East Anglia we had a Coprolite Rush in the late 19th century – a different kind of gold, a black gold, one made from fossilised faeces! The country was recovering from the Napoleonic Wars and

suffering from desperate food shortage. This so called ‘dino dung’, which was in fact prehistoric reptiles or fish was phosphate-rich and was found in seam in West Dereham in 1873! The coprolite could be ground up and mixed with acid or water to create a cheap and effective fertiliser to gain maximum potential from the land.

Chemical manure manufacturers James Fison & Son and Thomas Thwaites-Ball worked together to mine the seam, employing dozens of local men to cope with demand. At this time the village allegedly became the second largest town in Norfolk. However, by 1908, the seam had been worked out and the sleepiness returned to this quiet spot once again.

To Conclude

If you are looking for a property with flexible old fashioned charm and a stylish twist of modern luxury, which is surrounded by open countryside, big skies and fresh air but within a friendly community for a healthy family life, then this is a property that ticks all those boxes and more. There is so much range and scope both inside and outside for all members of the household. A striking yet calm sunny interior encompassed by a delightful and diverse garden.

The large garden is varied in its layout with so many interesting, fun and useful features. The pond provides a focal point with its assorted life of gold fish, shubunkins, newts & toads. The summertime providing much polliwogs or tadpole activity, a joy for all children in particular!

The reason for the name of the property is because there used to be a pub across the road called the Bell Inn and here in the old barn was where the beer barrels were stored!”.

Norfolk Country Properties. Registered in England and Wales No. 06777456.Registered Office - 15B Regatta Quay, Key Street, Ipswich, IP4 1FH copyright © 2017 Fine & Country Ltd.

Agents notes: The floor plans are for illustration purposes only. All measurements: walls, doors, window fittings and appliances and their sizes and locations are shown conventionally and are approximate only and cannot be regarded as being a representation either by the seller or his agent. © Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

LOCAL AUTHORITY King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council

AGENTS NOTES Mains Electricity, Water, Septic Tank,

Oil Fired Central Heating. Solar Panels.

These particulars, whilst believed to be accurate, are set out as a general outline only for guidance and do not constitute any part of an offer or contract. Intending purchasers should not rely on them as statements of representation of fact, but must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to their accuracy. No person in the employment of Fine and Country or Norfolk County Properties has the authority to make or give any representation or warranty in respect of the property.

We would also point out that we have not tested any of the appliances and purchasers should make their own enquiries to the relevant authorities regarding the connection of any services.

Energy Graph

Additional Information

Location

On The Doorstep...

West Dereham is a small village in North West Norfolk close to the town of Downham Market. It has a Grade I listed church of West Dereham St Andrew which is one of the 124 existing round-tower churches in Norfolk. Most everyday amenities and facilities can be found in Downham Market which has two outdoor markets a week, plenty of shops to browse, some delightful independent stores and boutiques, supermarkets, a High School and a post office. The nearest Primary School is situated in the village of Hillgay, which also has a public house although the catchment Primary School is situated at Denver. There is a golf club at Ryston and a golf range at Denver.

How Far Is It To...

West Dereham is situated 5 miles south east of the Market Town of Downham Market, which offers a direct rail route into London’s King’s Cross station. The Hanseatic port town of Kings Lynn lies some 13 miles to the north and offers all major facilities including hospital with A&E, doctors and dentist’s surgeries, schools, colleges, sports centres and swimming pool, shops and supermarkets, museum, theatre and cinema. From here you can reach the Royal Sandringham Estate and the North Norfolk coastline. Ely is 18 miles to the south west offering a wide variety of cultural and leisure facilities, whilst the beautiful city of Cambridge lies an hour to the southwest, and Norwich with its International Airport is to the east. Both cities offer an abundance of shopping and leisure activities.

Directions

From Kings Lynn head south on the A10 towards Downham Market for approx 4 miles, at the roundabout take the A134 towards Thetford for approx 5 miles. At the T junction where A1122 crosses the A134, turn left and then immediately right to continue on the A134. Turn right at the third turning on the right, Signposted West Dereham. You will soon see St Andrews Church across the fields, keep on past the church for a further 250 meters and the property will be found on the right hand side.

To arrange a viewing of this property please contact

North & West NorfolkKing’s Lynn Innovation Centre, Innovation Drive, King’s Lynn, Norfolk PE30 5BYTel: 01553 769 100 www.fineandcountry.com

If you have been thinking of selling and getting nowhere fast then the first move you should make is to contact an agent who can deliver outstanding results. Here at Fine & Country we know that our unique approach to selling houses works. For more information on any of the services Fine & Country can offer, please call 01553 769 100 and speak to Jan von Draczek at our King’s Lynn & West Norfolk office.

© All rights reserved by Essex/Norfolk Country Properties Ltd for the World outside the UK. Any unauthorised copying orpublishing of either the words or photographs contained in this brochure will constitute an infringement of the copyright.

Postcode for satellite navigation: PE33 9RT

The church of West Dereham St Andrew

Downham Market, 10 min drive King’s Lynn, 25 min drive

Fine & CountryTel: +44 (0) 1553 769 100kingslynn@fineandcountry.comKing’s Lynn Innovation Centre, Innovation Drive, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 5BY