Lowgate Street, Eye, IP23

No.19, known as Vine Cottage after the occupier and Stonemason Henry Vine, is a remarkable Eye property given the features within and the garden beyond. Having been renovated and modernised culminating in a sale in 2010, the property has been lightly lived in since and gardens and annexe significantly improved.

"It is rare to find a property that has undergone such a transformation and restoration resulting in such an appealing stylish finish." That was the impression back in 2010 when Harrison Edge was invited to offer the property for sale for the first time since the renovations. The previous owners carried out an impressive schedule of works transforming a property that had been in the same family ownership for around 50 years. From that time and before, the house had collected an interesting history and evolved from an original timber framed building to the brick fronted home that dates from 1870. It is known that a stonemason, Henry Vine, created the current exterior incorporating into the design stone quoins, lintels and window framings along with other details such as an interesting hood moulding to the original front door opening. It is interesting to think that Mr Vine's works may have been put to good use in the town's Harwen House, which is an impressive red brick building with many of the same features. As one arrives, the quality of Vine Cottage is immediately apparent, presenting as it does a very smart frontage. Internally, the restored and repaired timber frame has been exposed illustrating the original building, and open studwork draws the eye through to the rear section featuring a stunning Kitchen and stairwell.

Of particular note is a first floor layout comprising Guest/Bedroom 2 with Shower Room in addition to a superb, Master Bedroom Suite suggesting an expensive boutique hotel. The original plan had been to create a bedroom with a Dressing Room and an en suite Bathroom but it became apparent combining the whole area into essentially one luxurious space was too much of a temptation. The original plan however could be re-instated. The current owners, having maintained and enhanced the overall fabulousness of the property upgraded the adjacent former Cobblers workshop into a very useable one bedroom guest annexe. As one would expect, the initial renovations included frame repairs, roofing, wiring, insulation, plumbing, heating and all mains services.

Location

Vine Cottage sits nicely back from Lowgate Street behind a pretty picket fence and presents smart painted brickwork to the front along with its adjacent annexe the former Cobblers workshop. Within walking distance of the town centre facilities, the property is ideally set for those seeking a quality and convenient location. Eye is extremely well served by day to day amenities and shops and is renowned for the varied cultural activities that take place throughout the year, not least theatre productions, classical music concerts and an annual art exhibition and Open Gardens Weekend. In addition to the excellent food shops and services, the friendly town is also renowned for shops specialising in books, antiques and objet d'art. The surrounding countryside is accessible via an excellent network of public footpaths ideal for the Rambler and the wider area contains an array of interesting villages, towns with the Coast only a 45 minute drive away. For the commuter the mainline rail station at Diss provides services between the Cathedral City of Norwich to the north and London's Liverpool Street Station.

Direction

From the centre of Eye pass the offices of Harrison Edge on the left and proceed downhill directly into Lowgate Street where Vine Cottage will be found on the left hand side.