This stunning, period property is in the most beautiful of rural settings just outside the village of Swanton Morley, Norfolk. The village of Swanton Morley itself offers guests some beautiful riverside walks to the waterfalls, or you can visit the fishing lakes nearby. As well as a local pub and restaurant, there is also a general grocery store, deli and butcher in the village. If you can tear yourself away from the property, the small market town of Dereham is just over 5 miles away where you can climb the 19th-century windmill, head to one of the markets, or browse the independent shops. For a day at the coast, the fantastic seaside resorts of Wells-next-the-Sea or Cromer are 22 and 25 miles respectively, whilst the vibrant, cathedral city of Norwich is 17 miles away. There’s also Pensthorpe Nature Reserve (11 miles) where you can birdwatch and explore the magical gardens, and kids will love the dinosaur theme park, ROARR!, 7 miles away. Other nearby attractions you may wish to visit is the Thursford Spectacular, the Theatre Royal and numerous open gardens and National Trust properties in the area.
Unique and beautiful, this cottage offers the ultimate in rural relaxation and has also provided the backdrop to many a culinary show and photo shoot as it is owned by celebrity chef, Gennaro Contaldo. Stepping inside this spacious and characterful 19th-century cottage, you’ll instantly notice the charming décor throughout the whole house that gives this property a real home-from-home feel. As you’d expect from a property owned by a chef, the stunning kitchen is crammed full of all the culinary gadgets and crockery you could dream of, so any chef or foodie in your party will be in heaven. A wealth of pots and pans clamour for space on the walls and there are many gadgets at your disposal including a 6-burner gas range cooker, and for traditionalists, or those who might be looking to prepare a festive feast, there is also use of an AGA. A breakfast island in the kitchen provides a more informal spot to gather for a morning coffee, whilst there is also a separate dining room with a table and chairs to seat ten, for when a more sophisticated setting seems appropriate. After dinner, guests can then head to one of the three reception rooms to enjoy some downtime; the layout provides the perfect opportunity for any children in the group to have their own space. Along with plenty of seating, one of the sitting rooms features a wood burner and an open fire, one at either end, as well as a floor-to-ceiling shelf stacked with books. A second, slightly cosier room, provides another open fire to snuggle up in front of, whilst the third sitting room is ideal for movie nights with a Smart TV provided. For those who wish to enjoy a book with the backdrop of the beautiful garden, then you’ll love the bright conservatory which can offer some peaceful respite from the hubbub of the rest of the house. Located on the ground floor you will also find a handy utility room where you can kick off your muddy boots, the utility includes a large fridge / freezer and a washing machine. A small double bedroom is located on the ground floor which is ideal for any guests who do not wish to head upstairs. Completing the ground floor are two of the three bathrooms – one with bath and WC, the other a shower room with WC. From the centre of the first sitting room, a fabulous spiral staircase leads up to two double rooms, both with Jack and Jill access to a shower room with WC. There are also a further two welcoming bedrooms on this floor which include a king-size and another double, both of which are tastefully decorated and offer ample storage space for your personal belongings and clothes.
The exterior of this property is also an absolute delight with an acre of private, landscaped gardens complete with trees and shrubs. On finer weather days, make the most of the traditional wood-fired pizza oven and BBQ and cook up a feast to eat alfresco under the pergola. There is even seasonal fruit and veg grown in the garden that guests can help themselves to.