Chequers Lane, Saham Toney, Thetford, Norfolk, IP25

A handsome country house, extensively renovated and now in excellent order, set amongst about 17.4 acres of park, woodland and paddocks.

Description

There is a great sense of arrival at Saham Lodge. Sweeping up a tree lined drive, the incredibly attractive Georgian house is revealed, standing well and overlooking park like grounds, it has a commanding presence amongst the landscape of its own 17.5 acres.

Saham Lodge has the rare, and valuable, attribute of having been the recent subject of a thorough programme of renovation. It is not often a house of this scale and age is presented to the market in such excellent condition, and allowing the next custodian to simply move in and enjoy the lifestyle that has been created. The works were extensive. The fundamentals included entire re-plumbing and re-wiring, replacement or reconditioning of windows, overhaul of the roof and entire external painting. The finer elements of the project are a triumph, with complete interior decoration, the installation of new bathrooms and kitchen, and plenty of bespoke joinery. The transformation of the house retains charming period detail, with pannelling, fire places, sash windows, shutters, right through to a larder with traditional slate work surface, great care has been taken to present an authentic house.

The house is full of highlights. A portico entrance leads into an elegant reception hall/sitting room, and impressive drawing room, both light and airy rooms on the south side of the house. A particularly fine dining room is conveniently next to the kitchen, which is bespoke and well arranged with central island unit. A library, with fitted shelving, and a games room currently used as a snooker room, both with fireplaces are useful rooms to escape to, whilst a butlers pantry with fitted units, the larder and boiler room provide a great functionality. A large boot room, crucial for country living, is kitted out with bespoke joinery with bench seat, storage, butlers sink and cabinetry and even a wood burner for tired dogs to lay next to, whilst a second hall has further storage.

The first floor layout has been adapted to create an impressive collection of bedrooms and bathrooms, all with their own individual style and combining to create a highly functional layout. Many of the rooms could justify the label of principal bedroom. Naturally the rooms at the front of the house are perhaps slightly more refined, in particular a delightful panelled bedroom with concealed door opening to a panelled bathroom with copper bath, and an adjoining dressing room. There are three bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, however the layout is such that the remaining five bedrooms are all either adjacent to bathrooms or close by. All bathrooms are finished to a high standard, with marble tiling and quality fittings, whilst the bedrooms enjoy fireplaces and fitted wardrobes to some rooms.


Outside
Saham Lodge enjoys a fine position in the centre of its 17.5 acres of gardens and grounds. Set higher than the front park, the house stands proud amongst the landscape and enjoys beautiful views out over the land. The property is approached through a subtle entrance that leads to the gravelled tree lined drive, flanked by wrought iron park fencing on one side, sweeping up to the house, with plenty of parking and turning space, either side of a copper and common beech hedge.

A significant area of paved terrace frames the front of the house, which is south facing, with lawns divided from the park by wrought iron fencing. A further paved terrace adjoins the east of the house, an ideal spot for outside dining and entertaining, with a further paved area for outdoor furniture set amongst the lawns which are enclosed by wrought iron deer fencing, perfect for containing children and dogs, whilst keeping the local deer out of the formal garden space. A kitchen garden area is to the rear of the house, enclosed by wrought iron fencing.

The wider land has been laid out to create a wonderful lifestyle for life at Saham Lodge. To the west are wild flower and swathes of grass, with mown paths meandering through, dotted with young and mature specimen trees, with open areas that could become further conservation area, a manège or perhaps a football pitch, space for glamping or similar. On the western side of the land are the outbuildings, a traditional range of buildings with original mellow brick stabling with half moon windows, and a clay lump barn of scale. Both buildings could be utilised in many ways, as could a Victorian reading room that stands within the wild flower areas, which would fulfil many imaginations for a work from home, or a unique Airbnb or similar.

Broadleaf woodland, with fine examples of Oak, lime and beech trees, stretch from the north of the house to the east, with walk ways through and seasonal snowdrops, aconite and wood anemone. Beyond the woodland are the post and railed paddocks, with field shelter, and rides between the paddocks and woodland. To the south of the house is the park, an expanse of grazing with young trees protected by wrought iron tree guards, with established woodland on the boundaries. Within the grounds, and hidden amongst the woodland, are wildlife ponds.

Location

Saham Lodge is located on the edge of the Saham Toney, a West Norfolk village surrounded by countryside between the market towns of Swaffham and Watton. The village has a public house, primary school, village shop, golf course and active community centre with hard tennis court.

The historic town of Swaffham is nearby, with an excellent range of amenities from primary and secondary education through to supermarkets including a Waitrose. Doctors surgery, public houses, independent shops, alongside golf club and rugby club give an insight of what the town has to offer.

The house is 19 miles from Downham Market train station, with a direct line service to London Kings Cross with a journey time of approx. 1hr 45mins.

Square Footage: 7,183 sq ft


Acreage: 17.44 Acres

Additional Info

Services
Mains water, electricity, gas and drainage.

Local Authority
Breckland 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.