In Summary
KEY FEATURES
Set in grounds of two thirds of an acre (STMS) in the Norfolk Broads village of Ranworth, this Victorian cottage has been extended and improved to create a welcoming and spacious haven, and is offered with no onward chain.
Occupying an elevated position towards the edge of this picturesque and highly sought-after village, School Cottage sits centrally in its grounds and is surrounded by mature gardens giving an excellent degree of privacy. This delightful home is well-situated within the village, offering peace and seclusion, yet is only a short stroll from Ranworth’s shop, Post Office, and well-regarded public house and restaurant, The Maltsters. St Helen’s Church and Ranworth Broad Nature Reserve are a few minutes further distant, and there is scope for water-borne activities due to the proximity of Ranworth Staithe and marina on Malthouse Broad.
Ranworth is roughly equidistant between the Broads capital of Wroxham and the thriving village of Acle, both of which offer a range of amenities including supermarket, bank, library, medical centre and rail station and schools, and approximately 9 miles from the City of Norwich, offering a wealth of opportunity for shopping, entertainment and recreation, and which is a 90-minute train journey from central London, making it an ideal base within Norfolk.
Approached via a winding gravel driveway, which opens to a substantial parking area, this incredible home offers flexible living accommodation with five reception rooms, four bedrooms and a generous kitchen/breakfast room, having been carefully extended by the current owners to maximise the benefit of its plot, with a first floor lounge and study which enjoy extensive views over the adjacent Fairhaven estate and South Walsham Broad.
Originally a Victorian cottage, this home is full of character and charm. Open fires in the dining room and ground floor snug complement the property’s oil-fired central heating to bring ambience and warmth to long winter evenings, whilst the generously proportioned modern rooms are flooded with light all year round thanks to the abundance of large dual- or triple-aspect windows in the property.
The welcoming front door of this property is sheltered from the elements by a brick-built storm porch, although the preferred entrance is to the side of the building. A rear lobby provides a convenient place to kick off muddy boots following a walk along one of the many nearby footpaths, and leads into the expansive kitchen/breakfast room for well-earned refreshment. This is just one of many areas in this home where entertainment and socialising can take centre stage, with the formal dining room leading from this area, and a ground floor-sitting room complete with wood burner providing the perfect opportunity to withdraw and continue the conversation after a good meal.
A separate snug in the original part of the cottage could work perfectly as a small home office or a playroom if required, and a spacious ground floor bedroom with en-suite shower room is a restful sanctuary at the end of a busy day.
On the first floor, the owners have created an extensive lounge/dining room – a triple aspect room towards the rear of the house which integrates perfectly with the terraced gardens. Not only do the large windows offer beautiful views of the grounds and the vista beyond, but a set of French doors to the rear aspect lead out to a welcoming wooden deck perfectly positioned to catch the late afternoon sun.
There are three double bedrooms on the first floor, and a family bathroom, all of which are bright and airy spaces with plenty of natural light. The current owners have also made provision for possibly the ultimate in home working spaces on the first floor – a triple aspect purpose-built home office, which can be accessed through a concealed door in one of the bedrooms, or via an external spiral staircase to avoid the need for visitors to enter through the house. With its extensive countryside views, this is the perfect place to be productive, creative and inspired.
The exterior of the property is just as inspirational as the interior. The terraced garden is cleverly zoned to provide interest wherever you turn. From leisurely breakfasts on the East-facing patio to summer barbeques on the generous lawn, there are plenty of spaces to entertain – and with parking for at least eight vehicles in the driveway, there is plenty of room for guests to visit as well. Walking around the grounds, each part of the garden has a different character, and mature trees and hedging create beautifully framed views at every turn.
Properties in Ranworth rarely come to market, and homes of this size and character are seldom available. With approximately 2,500 square feet of living accommodation, a secluded location, and a generous plot, this versatile and charming country home is sure to prove popular – either as a principal residence or as a second home in the Norfolk Broads.
This outstanding home is exclusively available through Pendefords – The Individual Property Specialists, and early viewing is highly recommended.
For further information regarding this property, or to arrange a COVID-secure viewing in line with local and national restrictions, please contact us today.
Disclaimer: These particulars do not constitute part or all of an offer or contract. The measurements indicated are supplied for guidance only. Potential buyers are advised to recheck measurements before committing to any expense. We have not tested any apparatus, equipment, fixtures or services and it is in the buyers interest to check the working condition of any appliances. A buyer should ensure that their legal representative confirms as soon as possible all matters relating to title including the extent and boundaries of the property and other important matters before exchange of contracts.