SHELTONNORFOLK

YOUR HISTORY IN THE MAKING“An original clay lump cottage, this extraordinary house has a history lesson to impart from its stunning rural setting. Offering peace and tranquility with far reaching countryside views, there’s a stream in the garden and compelling living spaces with

planning permission to extend; could you write the next chapter of this utterly charming property?”

• A beautifully situated Detached Cottage standing on its own with Wonderful Views over Surrounding Farmland

• Two Bedrooms; Main Bathroom• Three Receptions; Conservatory• Kitchen• Original Character can be found throughout with Exposed Beams, Fireplaces

and Timber Floors • A Long Narrow Garden which extends to just under 0.3 of an acre and

includes a Stream to the Bottom Boundary• Parking for Several Vehicles• Stunning Views in All Directions over Adjoining Farmland• The Accommodation extends to 1,294sq.ft• Energy Rating: D

“If you like wildlife and rural living, this is the place for you!” confirmed the owner. Bursting with history, Hill Cottage is thought to have been built around the remains of a medieval ‘strip farm’ and has been carefully renovated by previous owners. “We love it here and are only moving due to medical reasons. We’ve played our part in the history of this fabulous cottage and hope that its next owners get as much pleasure from living here as we have done.”

History Lesson“I am really interested in history and have enjoyed researching the cottage. It appears as a dot with its land clearly marked on the very first ordnance survey map, which was created in the Napoleonic Wars era – so it’s been here a while! I have a theory that it’s the remains of a medieval strip farm because the land is consistent with the way that strip farms used to be organised.” The exact origins of the cottage may remain a mystery, but the structure is certainly formed from clay lump, as the owner confirmed, “We had to take the roof off and I took the opportunity to have a good look at the structure. It’s a very localised type of clay which makes sense because transport links were so poor at that time.” The owner took a sample of the clay lump as a momento and also has pictures of the cottage before its renovation.

Labour of LoveThe cottage has no windows to the rear, the north/east side, as the owner explained, “That would have been a very sensible design decision all those years ago; with just a fire to heat the house, it made complete sense to have no openings to the cold windy aspect!” Where there are windows and exterior doors, the owner has replaced with double glazed units. “We’ve done a fair amount of work to the cottage, including replacing the roof on the main part of the cottage, removal of a chimney and lining the one in the reception hall.”

A Home For All Seasons“There are really lovely views from the sitting room; it’s a really bright room and we spend most of our time in there. It’s great for entertaining,” the owner declared. With fireplaces in many of the rooms, the lovely vaulted ceiling in the sitting room and feature timbers in the reception hall, this is a property that exudes character. “In the winter, with the fires going, it has such a warm and cosy feel; yet it’s also a lovely house in the summer, when you can watch spectacular sunsets from the sitting room, night after night! In fact, I think the house should be renamed ‘Sunset Cottage’ because that’s such a terrific feature of this place.”

Accessible Rural Idyll“The stream at the bottom of the garden is a lovely cool place to sit and while away the hours... We have a garden shed down there and it’s so peaceful, a really beautiful spot. There are wild plum trees, masses of wild flowers including bee orchids and extraordinary wildlife. The other day I walked down the garden and found myself following a deer that was ambling on its way!” The garden offers a haven of solitude and the opportunity to commune with nature. “It’s so rural here, yet we’re just three miles from semi urban living in Long Stratton. There’s everything you need, including a doctors, supermarket, sports centre; I think it’s quite unique to be able to live in such a beautiful area yet be so close to civilisation!”

The AccommodationYou take in the pretty front elevation of the home, before moving through into an entrance porch. A further door then takes you through to the…

Main Reception HallDirectly in front of you a wood burning stove sits within an attractive fireplace, complete with timber surround. There is an original bread oven set into the wall, whilst further character includes brick tiles to the hearth and exposed timbers to one wall. A door to your right takes you through into the…

StudyAnother original room, with the character a combination of exposed beams and another fireplace. Underfoot you notice the timber floors, whilst a window to the front elevation is south facing and provides light and wonderful views over the farmland. From the study, French doors take you through to the…

Sitting RoomOne of the newer additions to the property, this fabulous space is enhanced by its vaulted ceilings above with exposed beams catching the eye, as does the focal point fireplace to the far wall with another wood burning stove set within. Large windows to the front elevation offer some of the best views from the house, out over the farmland, with an additional window to the gable end affording further light.

Returning to the main reception hall, you move through to an inner lobby, where you discover stairs to the first floor, with a large storage cupboard underneath. From the lobby an inner hallway leads you to the ground floor WC, beyond which is the…

KitchenThe kitchen incorporates cabinets to all four aspects, contrasting beautifully with the timber work surfaces. Numerous appliances include a double electric oven, a ceramic hob with extractor fan above, a microwave, a dishwasher and a butler sink. There is also further space for a fridge freezer. Within the kitchen numerous windows provide natural light, whilst a door takes you through to the…

ConservatoryThis is situated on the western side of the home and is generous in its size. There is a wood burning stove to the corner of the room, whilst the current owners incorporate a utility area as well. From the conservatory double doors lead out to the west facing gardens.

Returning to the lobby you move up the stairs to the first floor, where accessed off the landing are a…

Single Bedroom and the Master BedroomEach of the bedrooms are south facing with large windows providing natural light, whilst incorporating stunning views out over the adjoining farmland. Character to the first floor includes timber floorboards and a feature fireplace which can be found within the master bedroom.

Both of which are serviced by a central bathroom, which comes complete with a separate shower.

Agents NotePlanning permission has been granted for a two storey extension to the property, with the drawings available on request.

The GardensThe property is approached from the country lane by a shingle drive, which provides plenty of parking for several vehicles. From the lane you take in the impressive front elevations of the home, noting its newly painted elevation along with its newly installed double glazed windows. A pretty picket fence acts as a boundary from the road.

On the eastern side of the property, narrow formal gardens lead up the lane and include a large timber shed. Also from the front you have access via a gate to the immediate rear of the cottage.

The more formal gardens can be found on the western side of the property and although narrow, lead a long way down the lane, with various garden beds incorporating roses, semi mature trees and various small outbuildings.

The boundary of this west facing garden consists of a small stream. The gardens which can be found mostly on the east and west of the cottage adjoin farmland, with the plot in total extending to just under 0.3 acres.

Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and quoted in metric with imperial equivalents and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. * These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent. Printed

Norfolk Country Properties. Registered in England and Wales No. 06777456.Registered Office - 15B Regatta Quay, Key Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 1FHcopyright © 2016 Fine & Country Ltd.

On Your Doorstep…Shelton is a small picturesque village found to the south of Norwich. Within the village you have Hardwick and Shelton Primary School. Hempnall is only 4 miles away with its village shop and post office plus Hempnall Primary School, a local vets surgery and a village hall. The larger village of Long Stratton has a broad range of amenities including schooling, supermarkets, public houses, restaurants and takeaways as well as various other smaller high street shops. There are also bus routes to Norwich whilst you have direct access to the A140 which is one of the main routes leading both in and out of the county.

How Far Is It To…Shelton is approximately 11 miles from the thriving market town of Bungay, which boasts many historic attractions including the ruins of Bigod’s Castle. There is a theatre and several churches and a variety of individual and specialist boutiques including a wealth of antique shops, restaurants, cafes and bars plus a modern indoor swimming pool and a weekly market on Thursdays (visit www.bungay-suffolk.co.uk for more information). Norwich is located approximately 14 miles north with its wide range of leisure and cultural facilities as well as a main line rail link to London Liverpool Street and an international airport. The attractive market town of Diss is approximately 12.5 miles south west with its large variety of shops, auction house and a museum. It too boasts a main line rail link to London Liverpool Street. Try www.diss.co.uk for more information.

DirectionsLeave Norwich on the A140 Ipswich Road heading south passing through the villages of Newton Flotman and Tasburgh before taking a left hand turn onto the B1527. Continue along this road and prior to reaching Hempnall turn right signposted Fritton. Continue through Fritton Common before taking a left hand turn into Alburgh Road signposted Shelton Green, whereby the property can be found shortly after on your left hand side clearly signposted with a Fine and Country For Sale Board.

ServicesOil Central Heating, Private Water via Bore Hole, Private Drainage via Septic TankSouth Norfolk District Council

Fine & Country Norwich Office7 Bank Plain, Norwich, NR2 4SF

01603 221888 & CF

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