Market Place, Hingham

Some homes have beauty. Others have history. Southernwood House has both - and more. In the heart of a Norfolk market town, this Grade II* listed Georgian house tells a story spanning over three centuries, where timeless architecture and a remarkable heritage meet. Once home to Field Marshal Lord Edmund Ironside, Chief of the Imperial General Staff during World War II, an impressive military personality, its memorial plaque is more than a mark of fame - it is a hint of the extraordinary life once lived here, a reminder that these walls have absorbed moments of global significance. Today, Southernwood House is as inviting as it is important: a home of comfortable proportions, where light spills through sash windows onto original fireplaces, where mown lawn meets wildflower meadow and every corner feels steeped in character, yet ready to embrace modern life. To own Southernwood House is not simply to buy a home - it is to become part of a story, one that has been unfolding over three hundred years and one that promises many chapters yet to come.

Explore the Norfolk town of Hingham

Step outside Southernwood House into the unique charm of one of Norfolk’s most desirable market towns. Located within a designated Conservation Area the imposing, yet elegant, Georgian facades, together with the magnificent mediaeval church, contribute to creating a setting that is as timeless as it is vibrant, each building redolent of centuries past, yet very much alive in the present day.

The heart of the town is its bustling market place. An excellent range of local traders include a bakers, butcher, Art galleries, chemist, antiques, and more. Cafes invite you to pause and savour the slow pleasures of the day or enjoy a tasty meal in the White Hart pub. The Co-op supermarket is just down the road.

Hingham has a primary school, excellent health centre (voted best in Norfolk for the last two years), and a flourishing sports centre with tennis courts, skate park, football and cricket pitches. There are two children’s play areas, also a dentist and hairdressers. The local garage is one of the many different trades available along with skilled crafts people eg. painters and decorators, joiners, plasterers, gardeners etc.

Life here moves with a rhythm that perfectly balances the cosmopolitan with the countryside. On any given day you might find yourself dining in a restaurant offering locally sourced cuisine or enjoying seasonal festivals that celebrate the town’s rich artistic heritage. Yet, just beyond the town’s borders, the landscape softens into the gentle sweep of Norfolk’s rolling countryside, with easy access to Norwich, one of the finest cities in England.

Maybe you seek the charm of a close-knit community, the convenience of independent shops and seasonal events, or the pleasure of both the peaceful Norfolk landscape and the dynamic city of Norwich. Connections are excellent with a twenty minute drive to Norwich, also served by a frequent bus service, easy access to the A11 and rail to Cambridge, Stansted airport and London. This is a place where every day feels inspiring and full of possibility.

Southernwood House – A Rare Piece of British History in the Heart of Hingham

Southernwood House is not simply a home; it is a living chapter of British heritage, where 18th-century architecture meets the legacy of one of Britain’s most distinguished military figures. Set in a highly desirable Norfolk market town, this Grade II* listed Georgian townhouse stands at the top of the Market Place - a residence of rare stature and presence. Owning Southernwood House is not just acquiring a property; it is becoming custodian of a story that spans centuries.

Dating back to the 1700s the house presents simple Georgian design: with craftsmanship that has withstood the test of time, yet its past is what makes it truly unique. The house with its near neighbours became a fashionable location in the 1800s, known locally as “Little London” due to the collection of gentlemen’s residences, and is still known as such today.

Hingham is steeped in history, from its impressive mediaeval church (c.1351), ancestral family links to the Pilgrim Fathers, Abraham Lincoln, and the establishment of Hingham, Massachusetts; more recently through the residence of Lord Ironside (1937 - 1959).

The vendors say that the house immediately felt like home - welcoming, simple and calming. The house is ready for its next chapter with owners who will appreciate its charm and freedom. A truly wonderful home, set in a friendly town with a rich history spanning many centuries.

The older part of the house has a drawing room with classic inglenook fireplace, wood burning stove, perfect for winter evenings and family gatherings - Christmas celebrations with the fire blazing and lights twinkling. The dining room is easily accessed from the kitchen, offering a “special” alternative to kitchen dining. With its original cornicing and timeless elegance, it invites long, lingering suppers in a space made for connection. A study and a cosy snug offer private escapes for reading, writing, or simply a moment of stillness. Alternatively the snug could be a playroom. In this part of the house there is a cloakroom with toilet and washbasin.

The heart of Southernwood House is its remarkable kitchen and dining space, a contemporary transformation of former outbuildings, linked to the main house by a striking glass walkway. Here the old and the new meet in perfect harmony. Light streams in through two large windows and four roof lights, brightening the room and framing stunning garden views.

This is a room not just to cook or dine in, but to gather, host, and celebrate life’s moments. It features an electric two-oven Aga, alongside a conventional matching Aga double oven with hob and grill. Underfloor heating keeps the area warm and welcoming. The adjoining work area includes a double sink, Bosch dishwasher and microwave, cutlery drawers and space for a large fridge/freezer.

Next to the work area is a room for coats and boots, hot water tank and heat pump plant providing drying facility, conveniently entered from the garden through the glass walkway, which also houses the cellar. Adjacent to this is a wet room with shower, toilet and washbasin. The kitchen, glass walkway and wet room have underfloor heating fed by an airsource heat pump. The older part of the house is served by oil-fired central heating.

The garage, to the side of the house, is accessed from the street by a remote controlled door, allowing for unloading the car under cover, and straight through to the house. A utility room with sink and space for a washing machine and a separate storeroom for freezer/workroom, are entered from the garage.

Upstairs, on the first floor, four generous bedrooms retain their Georgian spirit, each with high ceilings and the kind of proportions rarely found in modern homes. The principal bedroom enjoys a lovely south-facing window overlooking the market place and includes an iron fireplace with wardrobe cupboards in the adjoining recesses. The second bedroom has a window facing the garden to the rear of the house and a built-in wardrobe. The third bedroom which, with its walk-in cupboard with hanging rail and shelving, could make a dressing room or nursery. The fourth bedroom has both a south and a west facing window and a built-in wardrobe.

Two upstairs family bathrooms, located opposite the bedroom doors, each feature a washbasin, toilet and bath, one of which has a shower over the bath. The second floor offers two additional bedrooms, ideal for guests, extended family, or quiet creative workspace. Throughout the home feels comfortable and accommodating.

Outside Southernwood House reveals another of its treasures; just under an acre of mature gardens - a rarity for such a central town location and surprisingly quiet and peaceful. Despite being in the middle of the town, it feels like a woodland setting. Sizeable lawns invite summer games and an evening stroll. A wild flower orchard, tall trees, and on through the hornbeam hedge, lead to a productive vegetable garden with fruit cage with raspberries, black and redcurrant, gooseberries and strawberries. A Boulton and Paul greenhouse, raised beds, espaliered pear trees and a rose walk further enrich this space.

A secluded courtyard, adjacent to the house, with water feature and fountain provides privacy for morning coffee or quiet reflection. In the main garden, a garden studio, fully insulated with underfloor heating and good lighting, could become an artist’s studio, office, fitness room, or guest space.

A traditional high brick wall runs along the south and west boundaries, wooden fencing completes garden security. A wood store and two large sheds for tools, garden equipment, workshop, are at the eastern end of the garden. There is also access to the garden by a separate gate leading from the adjacent “Tally Alley” on the western boundary.

Southernwood House is more than just an address. It is a piece of British history, an architectural gem that has evolved over centuries, and a home that continues to inspire, comfort, and impress in equal measure, an interesting mix of old and new, town and country. In a market where properties of this calibre and provenance are rare, this is an opportunity not just to purchase a house, but to inherit a legacy - a story waiting for its next chapter.

A Word from the Agent

Sold Freehold

Older part of the home has oil-fired central heating, with the new part of the home having air source heat pump to the underfloor heating system.

Connected to mains water, electricity and drainage.

Grade II Listed

Disclaimer

Minors and Brady, along with their representatives, are not authorised to provide assurances about the property, whether on their own behalf or on behalf of their client. We do not take responsibility for any statements made in these particulars, which do not constitute part of any offer or contract. It is recommended to verify leasehold charges provided by the seller through legal representation. All mentioned areas, measurements, and distances are approximate, and the information provided, including text, photographs, and plans, serves as guidance and may not cover all aspects comprehensively. It should not be assumed that the property has all necessary planning, building regulations, or other consents. Services, equipment, and facilities have not been tested by Minors and Brady, and prospective purchasers are advised to verify the information to their satisfaction through inspection or other means.