The Street, Swanton Novers, NR24

The Property

2 Reading Room Cottages is a beautifully presented, two-bedroom, period cottage with a generous garden that forms part of a delightfully quirky terrace of three cottages, tucked away in the picturesque and sleepy village of Swanton Novers, just a few miles from the Georgian market towns of Holt and Fakenham and within easy striking distance of the North Norfolk coastline.  The Reading Room Cottages date back to at least 1851 and were named as such after the Reading Room at the end of the terrace was added in 1898, now converted into a cottage itself.

This charming cottage boasts lovely features, like the wonderful exposed beams upstairs and the secret terrace to the rear; along with the fantastic outside space which incorporates a dining patio, pretty cottage garden with lawn, a summerhouse, two brick built storage sheds and an off-street gravelled parking area.

On entering the cottage from the garden, through a stable door, you are welcomed into the modern shaker style fitted kitchen, with a range of wall and under counter cupboards, free standing oven & hob with extractor over, Corian worktops, integrated washing machine, wash hand basin and engineered oak flooring.

The oak flooring flows from the kitchen, through the dining hall and into the sitting room, seamlessly connecting the separate spaces on the ground floor.  The generous dining hall is at the heart of downstairs, with plenty of space for a dining table and chairs and leading on to the sitting room, downstairs shower room and with the staircase drawing the eye up towards the bedrooms.

The cosy sitting room is an oasis of peace and tranquility, with a wood burning stove to curl up in front of in the winter and a clever window that opens like French doors out to the secret terrace to the rear of the cottage.  Not only flooding the room with natural light but by using the window seat as a step, you can climb out and sit, hidden away from the world with a book and a cup of tea!

The downstairs shower room, features a large, walk-in shower enclosure, WC, wash hand basin with vanity unit, heated towel rail and under floor heating.

Up the Norfolk Winder cottage staircase is a small landing, giving access to the two bedrooms.  These charming bedrooms have the original supporting beams both in the walls and ceiling exposed, adding to their feeling of cottage cosiness. 

The principal bedroom is to the rear of the cottage, with a window looking out over the neighbouring gardens and fields beyond.  With the original wide floorboards, a fitted wardrobe cupboard and plenty of space for a king size bed, bedside tables, chest of drawers and occasional chair, this is a wonderfully peaceful and comfortable room.  The adjacent single room next door has a window looking out over the garden and to the countryside beyond and offers ample space for a single bed, tall boy chest of drawers, occasional chair and some recessed shelving.

Outside

It is the outside space at 2 Reading Room Cottages that sets it apart.  The garden runs the length of the path leading from the parking area, a really generous space boasting a charming dining patio and two brick built sheds which have been upgraded by the current owners to ensure dry and secure storage, alongside a log store.  

There is a lawned area, leading to a large summerhouse, which is used by the owners as an additional outside room, providing a wonderful quiet space to retreat in the garden.  There is even a secret grove, tucked away behind the summerhouse with a bench.  

Once the entrance gate is closed this lovely garden area is fully enclosed for dogs and small children.

The cottage is approached from the quiet lane that runs through the village and there is a gravelled parking area leading to the garden gate and path up to the front door.

Holiday Let Opportunity

Holiday Let Projected Income: £500 - £850 per week

Whilst the cottage is a much loved and much visited second home for the current owners, family and friends, 2 Reading Room Cottages would have great potential to generate a second income by welcoming paying guests.

There are other successful holiday let cottages in the village, including one in the terrace and the charming nature of the cottage and the lovely garden would undoubtedly attract attention from visitors looking for a peaceful hideaway for their Norfolk holiday.

The cottage could be available as a turnkey, with the majority of furniture and contents in place, subject to separate negotiation.

For more information on holiday letting, get in touch with the team at Big Skies.

The Location

Swanton Novers is a pretty village, tucked away in quiet countryside just seven miles from the bustling Georgian market town of Holt, with its array of independent galleries, antique shops, cafes & boutiques. The varied and beautiful North Norfolk coastline is within easy striking distance with Blakeney, Cley-next-the-Sea, Stiffkey and Wells-next-the-Sea all just over 10 miles away.

The village borders one of the counties largest ancient woodlands, The Great Wood; with the village itself dating back to the Domesday Book. There are endless possibilities for walking and exploring the surrounding countryside and quiet lanes. It is a peaceful community village with a thriving village hall, featuring a busy calendar of folk music gigs, community events and coffee mornings.

The nearest village is Melton Constable 5 min drive, where you will find a Coop food store open until 11pm (Sundays 10pm), renowned local butchers, Melton pizza and kebabs.

The excellent gastro-pub The Three Horseshoes is a just a 6 min drive, in Briston and the Crawfish Thai restaurant and takeaway is a 4 min drive in the other direction in Thursford.

The old forge seafood restaurant 6 min drive.

Places of interest:

Holt town - 6.8 miles

Wells-next-to-the-Sea -  10.8

Cromer beach - 16 miles

Norwich - 24 miles

Other Information

Services: Mains Electricity and Water. Septic tank.

Heating: Electric Central Heating, controllable remotely via an app.

Windows: UPVC Double Glazed.

EPC: Rated E

Council Tax: Band B, North Norfolk District Council. £1,833.61 (2025/2026)

Tenure: Freehold

Agents Note: 1. Whilst these particulars have been prepared in good faith to give a fair description of the property, these do not form any part of any offer or contract nor may they be regarded as statements of representation of fact. 2. Big Skies Estates have not carried out a detailed survey, nor tested the services, appliances and specific fittings. All measurements or distances given are approximate only. 3. Where a property is promoted as suitable for holiday letting, such use is conditional on the legal due diligence to be undertaken by the buyer’s conveyancer to ensure the property can be used for holiday letting. Big Skies Estates does not examine the legal title or any restrictions on the property. 4. No person in the employment of Big Skies Estates has the authority to make or give representation or warranty in respect of this property. Any interested parties must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of any information given.