As the gates swing open to reveal The Old School House, you will be left with no doubt that you made the right decision to view this stunning home.... Its charm is undeniable, and we know you will be pleasantly surprised by the generous room sizes, period character features, immaculate thatch, craftsmanship, and beautiful gardens that combine to make this an exceptional offering.
Believed to date from the 17th Century, and formerly two cottages, this historic property works wonderfully as a family home, but with a layout that gives the flexibility required for guest or even multi-generational accommodation.
There are entrances on both sides of the property, as well as the utility/boot room; glorious Wisteria frames the front door to the westerly aspect, but we will walk you through from the east-facing courtyard into the first hallway, off which is a ground floor bedroom, which of course could be used for a number of other purposes - study/home office, or playroom if preferred. Adjacent to this is a shower room/laundry. A staircase rises to two double bedrooms and a convenient W.C. all situated off a spacious landing.
Back downstairs and we move into the large, triple-aspect living room, complete with double doors out to the courtyard garden, and a fabulous inglenook fireplace with attractive wood-burning stove. Next is a second, impressive reception room, perfect for formal dining or as a second sitting room, again with a striking inglenook fireplace. Two doors lead off, one to a second hall, and another to the kitchen, which has been fitted with a comprehensive range of modern cabinets that still complement the original character of the home. There is also a separate utility/boot room which leads out to the rear and gardens. The main bathroom is situated off the second hall, next to the stairs taking you up to the first floor of this side of the house.
A generous landing lends itself to a study space or relaxing/reading nook, a dressing area or possibly a further bathroom, subject to any planning and listed building consent required. There is however already a toilet for the convenience of the two remaining bedrooms; one a spacious double, and the other a really good sized twin room.
The grounds of The Old School House are as impressive as the property itself. Extending to 0.65 acres, the mature tree and hedge-lined boundaries give you a genuine sense of privacy, and whilst you have a central position within this desirable village, you could easily believe you were in a much more rural setting - offering you the best of both worlds.
The gardens have been thoughtfully landscaped... from the sweeping lawns to the beds and borders stocked for year-round interest, and whether you prefer sun or shade you will always be able to find the perfect spot! There is an attractive well in the garden too, so you will be able to keep the gardens looking green and lush, without the worry of using mains water! There is also a summer house and even an outdoor bar for those who love to entertain. The property boasts two separate gated driveways - the East leading to a detached garage, with additional parking for several cars, and the West drive passing the house, and through further gates to a parking and turning area in front of the detached double garage/workshop.
With something for everyone, there is so much on offer here and viewing is the only way to fully appreciate the wonderful home that has been created by our sellers
The roof was fully re-thatched and insulated in July 2023
Additional information can be found in our "Key Facts for Buyers" in the brochure section.
LOCATION
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The desirable village of Brooke is one of the jewels in South Norfolk's crown, with good local facilities including a primary school, farm shop, two public houses, hair salons, café, florist, vet, garage, village hall, cricket club and church.
The nearby village of Poringland offers additional amenities, including another primary school, library, post office, large medical practice and public houses. There is schooling for high school pupils at Framingham Earl, which is just 3.5 miles away. Supermarket shopping is very accessible, with a Tesco Superstore at nearby Harford (7.3 miles) and an Asda and Aldi Superstore on Hall Road Retail Park (approx 7miles).
The Cathedral City of Norwich is a short commute (8 miles). Norwich has a vibrant business community and, as the regional centre, has an extensive range of cultural and leisure facilities, including the Norwich City football club, two theatres, the Riverside leisure development complete with cinema and numerous restaurants and pubs. The city has an excellent range of state and private schools and is well known for its excellent shopping, with a combination of independent retailers along with a number of premium department stores. Norwich has a mainline railway station with a service to London Liverpool Street and the expanding Norwich International Airport is just to the north of the city.
Heading south, Brooke is also only 12.5 miles from the Georgian market town of Beccles, the southern gateway to The Broads Network, which provides excellent day-to-day shopping, leisure facilities and schools and has a railway station with services to Lowestoft and Ipswich with onward connections to London, Liverpool Street.
