Workhouse Lane, Briston, Melton Constable, Norfolk, NR24

Wonderfully positioned farmhouse with un-blighted peace and privacy, with principal farmhouse, party barn, substantial barn conversion, outbuildings and delightful grounds of 4.6 acres

Description

Moor Hall Farm is quite simply one of the best positioned houses in North Norfolk. Enjoying complete peace and seclusion, tucked away in unspoilt countryside, with no near and certainly no visible neighbours the farm is an increasingly rare proposition.

Set in 4.3 acres of wild flower meadows and gardens, the 18th & 19th century collection of unlisted farm buildings were expertly converted, and indeed award-winning, to provide a handsome principal house, a performance/party barn, a 3 bedroom holiday letting barn, and associated outbuildings providing workshops, storage and covered car parking. This affords tremendous lifestyle opportunities.

The Farmhouse
At the heart of the 4 acres is the handsome farmhouse, creating a striking focal point to life at Moor Hall Farm. With an imposing approach, the architect-designed remodelling and significant extending of the house is impressive, yet with a wonderful subtlety given the use of brick, flint, and lime mortar to blend in with the adjacent traditional buildings. A spacious entrance and staircase hall reaching to the second floor provides the link between the original house and the distinctive new tower wing, and immediately sets the tone with traditional and contemporary features that blend seamlessly to create a vibrant and well arranged living space, with glass balustrades on a bespoke oak staircase, and even a cleverly exposed well with glass capping. The hall leads to all the principal living spaces. A particularly light and spacious kitchen/breakfast room is a joy, with tall ceilings and triple aspect providing fine views of the surrounding gardens and land through large windows and French doors that open onto decking with steps down to a paved terrace. The kitchen is one of simple clean lines, so as not to distract from the surroundings. Drifting back through the main hall, passing a bootroom/pantry, the original farmhouse ground floor has been opened up to create two distinct living areas, with a family room with woodburner and fitted shelving, and a living room with contemporary fireplace; both rooms taking in plenty of natural light with a southerly aspect. A lower ground floor level provides a functionality with large utility/store room, WC and plant room.

The bedrooms are spread over the first and second floors, with all enjoying wonderful views of the gardens and land beyond. On the first floor, a galleried landing with window seat nestled within an oriel window, leads to four bedrooms, with two bath/shower rooms. The stairs continue up to a further bedroom on the top floor, enjoying a triple aspect and adjoining bathroom, and where there is access to the parapet viewing area affording 360 degree views over the landscape.

Cottage, barn and outbuildings
Great thought was given by the current custodians as to how best to utilise the charming farm buildings. With around 4000 sq ft of traditional buildings, there is a great balance of converted areas alongside a wonderful courtyard of original open fronted cart bays, a nod to its agricultural roots.

The main two storey barn was divided to create a holiday let at one end, and a party/performance barn at the other. The holiday let is impressive in its own right, with a double-height vaulted open plan living space of about 9.5m x 4.5m, kitchen, entrance hall, a convenient ground floor bedroom and bathroom, and two second floor bedrooms, both with en suites. All the bedrooms are generous double rooms, and there is brilliant sense of light and space throughout, with parking and private gardens overlooking the wildflower meadows. The cottage provides significant income, which could be increased as the current owners often use the cottage privately for family and friends.

The party barn is an amazing space: one seamless open room up to the rafters, measuring about 12.4m x 6.3m, flooded with light from a floor to ceiling window, and served by an initial entrance hall, kitchenette, shower and WC. Recitals, jazz concerts, yoga and family parties have all been hosted within this atmospheric room, complete with large woodburner and theatre lighting. The barn has a link through to the holiday let via a door to the kitchen to facilitate catering.

A separate single level barn of just over 1000 sq ft comprises a studio perfect for working from home, art or similar, a garden store, work shop, garage and further store area. This is a incredibly useful building that adds to and aids the lifestyle of the farm.

Gardens and grounds
Approached over a farm drive, the private drive of Moor Hall Farm is defined by a gravel driveway that sweeps through lightly wooded area before opening out to the farmhouse and buildings, where the drive continues to a parking and turning area, and onwards to the courtyard with 6 open-fronted cart bays for covered parking.

The gardens and grounds of Moor Hall Farm are a complete delight, with many points of interest throughout and which have been thoughtfully landscaped with a subtlety that provides seasonal interest yet sits in harmony with the house, buildings and surrounding countryside.

The formal gardens are predominantly to the east and south of the house. To the south is a paved yorkstone terrace, perfect for outside dining and entertaining, with an expanse of lawn to well stocked herbaceous flowerbeds. To the east, and open to the south, is a further yorkstone terrace, with brick weave path to the house with beds of herbs and annuals on either side providing an aromatic dining area nestled into the garden's surroundings. Areas of long grass and wildflower areas are framed by large swathes of mown grass providing a structure and flow to the grounds, taking in beech topiary, orchard, wildflower meadows, rose beds, ponds, a hard tennis court, croquet area and meadow. The land is dotted with fine specimen trees including black poplars, oaks and beech, with further planting carried out by the current owner, now of various stages of establishment but added to the landscape. A stream, a tributary of the Bure, meanders through the grounds from west to east, feeding the pond and continuing onwards, with bridge between the tennis court area and orchard. The grounds are a haven for wildlife, with resident barn owl, heron and egret on the pond, roe deer, pheasants and hares seen frequently.

Location

Moor Hall Farm is located in glorious seclusion, surrounded by a DEFRA designated conservation area that offers a 5km or 2.5m walk neighbouring fields. The farm is about two miles from the well-served village of Briston, home to the Norfolk Sea Larder selling fresh sea food, the award winning and highly respected Graves butchers, and two village stores including a co-op. The village has a popular gastro pub, The Three Horseshoes.

The Georgian town of Holt is about 7 miles and is famous as the home of Gresham’s Public School as well as for its excellent independent shops, Michelin star restaurant, bakeries and delicatessens, public houses, antique shops and art galleries. The town of Aylsham is about 9 miles and also has a lovely market square, with the national trust owned Blickling Estate to the north-west of the town. Here too, there are excellent shopping facilities.

The cathedral city and regional centre of Norwich is about 17 miles away and the North Norfolk Coast, renowned for its sandy beaches, bird reserves and sailing facilities is about 3 miles to the north of Holt.

Square Footage: 3,167 sq ft


Acreage: 4.21 Acres

Additional Info

Services
Mains electricity. Private water (bore hole), private drainage. Oil fired central heating to farmhouse, ground source heat pump to barn.

Local Authority
North Norfolk District Council
Council tax band G

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

Viewings
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.