Beachamwell, Swaffham, Norfolk, PE37

An imposing and private country house in 82 acres of lovely park and woodland.

Description

Beachamwell Hall is an estate with a unique history. The site of a Hall since medieval times, the previous manor was rebuilt in the 18th century as a substantial country house. This was destroyed by fire in 1901, but subsequently rebuilt in its current form, in 1906. With so many of Norfolk’s houses already lost by the turn of the century, and still more during WW1 & WW2, the Hall at Beachamwell is a rare example of a substantial historic property. The design was to a Queen Anne style, by architects Wimperis & Best who also designed another notable Norfolk country house, Little Massingham House, built around the same time.

The Hall enjoys a wonderfully private position, at the end of a long lime tree lined drive through the park. The house sits almost directly in the middle of about 82 acres, with no footpaths or rights of access affecting the privacy of the Hall. The original 18th century coach house and stables provide an insight into the style of the original house, with Georgian gault brick, the same brick used in the walled gardens and around the swimming pool. The land is comprised of the formal gardens around the house, lovely old parkland, and ancient woods. Beachamwell Hall is a fine opportunity to acquire a Norfolk country home in a genuinely private setting.

The Hall
The 1906 hall was commissioned by the Fielden family, whose wealth was derived from their Lancashire Cotton business. There was clearly a considerable capital outlay for the build given the fine architectural detail throughout, not to mention the sheer scale of circa 12,000 sq ft over three floors.

The tone is set upon arrival, to the grand west front complete with Ha-ha and view over the park. A classical door, with rusticated quoins and pretty fan light opens to an entrance hall into the staircase hall, at the centre of the house. The staircase is impressive, and filled with light from the ornate roof lantern above, with a galleried landing at the top for visual effect.

The principal reception rooms are positioned along the west and south facing parts of the house, to take full enjoyment from the light and views. These elegant rooms, equally adept at hosting drinks parties and suppers as they are a quiet evening reading, all benefit from tall ceilings, ceiling roses, cornicing and tall sash windows. A dual aspect sitting room is notable for a venetian window and open fireplace, whilst a wonderful drawing room adjoins, measuring over 10 metres long, again with fireplace and a line of four tall sash windows with access out to the terrace. A fine dining room, with bespoke cabinetry, is conveniently close to the kitchen, and the library is quietly positioned at one end of the house, with attractive built in shelving, cabinetry and a further venetian window, and French doors out to the terrace. From the library a door leads to the orangery, a fabulously light room to take in the gardens.

As to be expected of a house of this calibre, there are a fleet of service and functional rooms, to help with everyday living at the Hall. A spacious fitted kitchen, butlers pantry, laundry and prep room are all at one end of the house, whilst at the other end are a utility room, hobby room and studio. The house also has a cellar with three defined rooms.

The graceful staircase leads up to the first floor, with seven bedrooms all connected by a central hall. The principal bedroom is on the south west corner of the house, an expansive room with adjoining dressing room with fitted wardrobes, and en suite bath/shower room. At either end of the house are a pair of guest suites with bedroom, sitting room and en suite bath/shower room. A further two of the bedrooms all enjoy en suite bathrooms. There is a conventional and very useable layout, and is complete with a back stairs and linen room. A further flight of stairs leads up to the attic rooms adding a major dimension to the house, and which can be used in many ways to suit different living styles. This floor hosts seven bedrooms, mostly double rooms and all with natural light, many of which are dormers. The bedrooms are served by two bathrooms. The rooms would lend themselves to lifestyle additions to the main house, whether it be cinemas, games room, studio, pilates room or perhaps turning the whole floor over to teenage children.

The house, as a whole, is understood to be in good order given its age and scale and has been carefully maintained by the current custodians. It would be fair to say that areas of the house would benefit from updating, with the interiors providing a wonderful snapshot of the style at the time.

Location

Beachamwell Hall is located to the west of the ancient village of Beachamwell, home to St Mary's, a 1000 year old thatched church. There is an excellent public house, The Bedingfeld Arms, in the neighbouring village of Oxborough. The picturesque market town of Swaffham (where the television series Kingdom with Stephen Fry was filmed) lies about four miles to the east and has excellent shopping facilities including a Waitrose supermarket, banking, pubs and restaurants, doctors surgery and golf club.

The town provides primary and secondary education, with private education further into Norfolk with Greshams and Beeston Hall, whilst Thetford Grammar and Culford School are to the south. The area is famous for its unspoilt open countryside, wide open skies and large areas of Forestry Commission woodland which provide excellent opportunities for walking and riding. Thetford Forest is the largest lowland pine forest in England extending to about 47,000 acres.

There are regular trains to London King’s Cross from Downham Market (9.5 miles) with an approximate journey time of 1 hour 28 minutes. There are also trains to Cambridge from Downham Market with an approximate journey time of 31 minutes. Cambridge is only 40 miles by road.

Square Footage: 12,346 sq ft


Acreage: 82.69 Acres

Additional Info

Outbuildings
To the east of the house is an original 18th century coach house and stables. A most attractive building of gault brick, with pedimented central bay, a cupola, and half-moon windows, it compliments the house and surroundings. The ground floor hosts the stables, with tall ceilings making for an airy environment for horses. There are 12 stables in all. A double garage is in between the stables, with direct access from the courtyard between the coach house and hall.

Stairs lead up to the first floor, with extensive space previously used as flats for the grooms with a succession of rooms including a triple aspect sitting room with fireplace and views of the park. The flat has been unused for many years and requires renovation. Also on this floor is the hayloft, a brilliant space of 11.2m x 8.7m, with vaulted ceilings and plenty of natural light. The hayloft could be used in many different ways and would certainly make the ultimate model railway room amongst other things.

There are further outbuildings including a large storage barn, workshop, potting shed and original laundry complete with original copper.

Gardens and grounds
The estate extends to about 82 acres, creating a wonderful maturity to the surroundings of the Hall. The entrance to Beachamwell Hall is framed by a curved gault brick wall, to a long lime tree lined drive underplanted with spring bulbs, passing through the park. It is a lovely approach, and gives a sense of being far from the madding crowd.

The drive sweeps up to the house spurring off through wrought iron gates to the west front of the house, or off to the left to continue round to a large courtyard between the hall and coach house, with parking for many vehicles.

The formal gardens can be mainly found to the west and south. The main lawns are to the south, framed by clip yew hedging with a stone balustrade and ha-ha. In the middle of the main lawn is an ornamental pond, with lavender borders, whilst adjoining the house is a large paved terrace ideal for al fresco dining and entertaining. Yew hedging divides the lawns into ‘rooms’, with an avenue leading out to an avenue of cherry trees within the park to the east. A south facing
high wall, with deep herbaceous beds, looks out over a further lawned area, leading to the tennis court which would need to be renovated. A door through the wall leads to the swimming pool, entirely enclosed by high walls and providing a complete sun trap given the south facing position. It is an area that has hosted many summer parties and family moments, with changing rooms, WC and plant room.

Beyond the old tennis court is a former kitchen garden, partly walled, with former fruit cages and greenhouse that now require restoring. A gate through the wall leads into an orchard. This part of the estate has great potential to once again become sustainable and productive.

The wider land is predominantly old parkland, which has been grazed by sheep for many years. Two areas of park, either side of the drive, is bordered by post and rail fencing, with fencing around the main park surrounding the house, with mature boundaries of established trees and hedging. The estate has fine trees dotted through the park, including oak, beech and lime, with a wood along the eastern boundary with ride running through it, and further woodland to the west and a belt along the north west. It ensures the house enjoys complete privacy whilst also providing a timelessness to the setting.

Services
Mains water and electricity, private drainage. Oil fi red central heating.

Local Authority
Kings Lynn & West Norfolk District Council
Council Tax Band H

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.