Link-detached house for sale in Back Street, Reepham, Norwich NR10

An exceptional expansive home where town meets country.

Description
Nestled on the edge of the hugely popular market town of Reepham, at the end of a quiet loke, the Grade II listed Rookery Barn defines an edge-of-town home.

The juxtaposition of town and country is brilliantly displayed and balanced with an orientation to take in the views of the gardens and open countryside beyond, with privacy and a peacefulness hard to find in town locations, yet all the convenience of a well-served town within a short walk. It is a wonderful lifestyle opportunity.

The home was the subject of a complete internal redesign, a collaboration of ideas between the current custodians and their architect, to great effect. To a large extent it has re-written the rule book of how a space within a barn can be utilised, with bold decisions creating an individuality yet in harmony with the traditional structure.

A major triumph of the design is the first floor living, and is difficult to do justice in text. An exceptional open plan, seamless expanse of space to absorb life, flooded with light from large floor to ceiling windows, and with the added impact of full height 17th Century vaulted ceilings. Throughout the space is a pleasing mix of sharp contemporary lines contrasting with the red brick and tie oak beams.

The sleek lines of the contemporary kitchen units are cleverly designed, with a large island unit and the backdrop of a second higher unit hiding the more functional sink and working area from the living space. Although entirely open, the location of the beams and carefully positioned erco architectural lighting system serve to 'divide' the space into 'rooms' with a defined dining area, and a living area at the very end. Glass flooring, abutting vertical slatted oak, provides a further contemporary edge to the room and provides a visual link to the ground floor. A useful first floor WC provides practicality.

Two staircases, with a subtle nod to the overall design being in the form of a traditional staircase and a contemporary version with recessed handrail with LED lighting, link to further living space and the bedrooms on the ground floor.

The garden room is the sort of space that evolves with life, currently used as a library and TV room, with plenty of glazing providing arguably the best room to enjoy the rural surroundings. The functional utility is essential given the scale of the house, with an array of storage rooms and cupboards in built on the ground floor.

The studio/office wing is a major asset, spacious enough to be adaptable for all sorts of uses with its own external access, and the ideal hybrid home working space with the ability to be separate from the rest of the house.

The bedrooms have a pleasingly conventional layout, differing from the majority of barns of this scale which were often converted with bedrooms split over two floors. All linked by a central hallway, the six bedrooms all have an individuality. The principal bedroom is particularly spacious room, with walk-in wardrobe and en suite bath/shower room, and a deep window seat with views over the gardens and meadows beyond.

Two of the bedrooms were beneficiaries of the brief of mixing old with new, both with vaulted ceilings, exposing beams, glazed doors out to the courtyard, and the original arched internal openings now filled with bespoke modern vertical oak cladding, merging with the mellow red brick around it. The three remaining bedrooms open to the south elevation, again with plenty of natural light with floor-to-ceiling glazing.

<B>Garden and grounds</b>
Approached from the town within minutes, winding through a picturesque street of pretty period cottages and houses, a quiet loke ends with the entrance to Rookery Barn. With an expanse of gravelled driveway and car stand, there is plenty of private parking.

The approach down the loke starts to provide an insight into the joyous position of the house, leaving the town behind you and arriving to open field views. On entering the gardens, the setting is revealed with swathes of lawn wrapping around the house sweeping up to an open view boundary. This has been deliberately maintained to celebrate the views of the neighbouring meadows from the house and gardens. Where gardens blend seamlessly with the surrounding Norfolk countryside.

A superb ancient oak tree breaks up the landscape, with further fine mature trees such as flowering cherry, silver birch and fir within a garden that is easy to manage despite the scale, with the majority laid to expansive lawn. Stretching the length of the barn is a decked terrace, enjoying a southerly aspect and of composite boards that are easy to manage. Providing the perfect area for outside dining and entertaining, the terrace is a fabulous space to enjoy, accessed from many points from the barn, with a feature ornamental pond filled with Koi.

The courtyard garden to the north of the barn has modern limestone steps between gravel leading to the main entrance of the barn, and is elegantly landscaped with yew and ornamental fig trees that will in time create a entrance of grandeur.

The car port is to the east of the barn, open on three sides for covered parking, with an adjoining workshop/store clad in oak. Behind this building is a productive kitchen garden, complete with fruit cages.

Location
The house is nestled on the edge of the market town of Reepham, a charming rural town established in 1277.

The distinctive market square is host to antiques fairs and an annual classic car show, and is the focal point of the town with the imposing Dial House, a luxury boutique bed and breakfast and host to 'Bread Source' award-winning artisan bakers and café, a farm shop and delicatessen, butchers, public house, florist, gift shops, antique shops and post office.

Beyond the market place is a Co-op and Spar, further antique shops, news agent, health care centre and cafés including the Railway Station, on the edge of the Marriots Way, a public owned 26 mile long decommissioned railway between Norwich and Aylsham, providing excellent cycling and walks. The town has good provision for state education, with Reepham Primary School, and Reepham High School and College (Ofsted rated ‘Good’) both a walk away.

The ever popular town of Holt is just over 10 miles and is famous as the home of Gresham’s Public School as well as for its excellent independent shops and restaurants. The town of Aylsham is about seven miles and also has a lovely market square, with the national trust owned Blickling Estate to the north-west of the town. There are also excellent shopping facilities.

The cathedral city, regional and cultural centre of Norwich is about 12 miles with Norwich School at its centre within the Cathedral grounds and the North Norfolk Coast, renowned for its big skys, sandy beaches, bird reserves and sailing facilities is about three miles to the north of Holt.

Travel times
Holt (11 miles)
Norwich (13 miles)
Blakeney (16 miles)
Burnham Market (25 miles)

Distances taken from Google Maps are are approximate and representative.

Square Footage: 4,485 sq ft

Acreage:
0.7 Acres



Additional Info
The neighbouring house has a right of access over the initial part of the driveway.

<B>Local Authority</b>
Broadland District Council
Council Tax Band F.

<B>Fixtures & Fittings</b>
All fixtures and fittings including fitted carpets and curtains/ blinds are specifically excluded from the sale, but may be available in addition, subject to separate negotiation.

<B>Services</b>
Mains water, electricity and drainage. Oil fired underfloor central heating.

<B>Viewings</b>
Strictly by appointment with Savills. If there is any point which is of particular importance to you, we invite you to discuss this with us, especially before you travel to view the property.

<B>Photography</b>
Some of the photography has been supplied by the Vendor, captured by Tom Bird Photography.

<B>Important Notice</b>
Savills, their clients and any joint agents give notice that:
They are not authorised to make or give any representations or warranties in relation to the property either here or elsewhere, either on their own behalf or on behalf of their client or otherwise. They assume no responsibility for any statement that may be made in these particulars. These particulars do not form part of any offer or contract and must not be relied upon as statements or representations of fact.

Any areas, measurements or distances are approximate. The text, photographs and plans are for guidance only and are not necessarily comprehensive. It should not be assumed that the property has all necessary planning, building regulation or other consents and Savills have not tested any services, equipment or facilities. Purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise.