Church Road, Old Hunstanton, Hunstanton, Norfolk, PE36

A charming edge of village home in wonderful grounds.

Description

Park House is a charming 18th century home with later additions, within a village setting yet with an approach and surroundings that would befit a rural country house. The house stands well amongst the mature grounds and was formerly a Rectory to the 14th Century Church of St Marys, with the church in view from the east side of Park House. It is an excellent example of an edge of village home, that provides privacy and control of what’s around you, yet with the convenience of a well-served village, and indeed the coastline, on your doorstep.

The house has an elegance and sense of warmth, helped by the period detail and originality, and the natural light and views of the grounds from all points in the house. As with many former Rectories, there are areas of informal and formal living, with plenty of practical service rooms too.

The entrance hall is wide and welcoming, with yorkstone floors and tall ceilings, the latter a theme throughout the house. Three principal receptions are on the south side of the house, enjoying plenty of light. A refined dining room is conveniently placed next to the kitchen, with fireplace and lovely proportions. A more cosy study has a view of the church to the east, and gardens to the south, and is complete with woodburner and French doors out to the gardens. A delightful drawing room has comfortable grandeur, with open fire with attractive surround, parquet floor, a wide bay window and the triple aspect allowing in plenty of natural light. It is the perfect drawing room, as adept at hosting drinks parties as it is on a cosy winter evening around the fire. Adjoining the drawing room is a conservatory, west facing, creating a quiet and relaxing room to enjoy, particularly when the sun sets.

The kitchen, like so many, is a focal point for everyday life, again on a large scale and very practical, with fitted cabinetry, 4 oven Aga, gas hobs and electric ovens, together with a traditional north facing pantry. The room is spacious and hosts an informal dining table at the centre. The service rooms of the house include a rear entrance into a boot room, butler’s pantry with original cabinets, and utility/laundry. The house also has the benefit of a lift, from the ground conservatory to the first floor principal suite dressing room, making the house future proof.

The bedrooms of Park House are spread over the first and second floors. All five bedrooms on the first floor are spacious double rooms, each with their own built in wardrobes and garden views. Of particular note is the principal suite which spans the entire western elevation of the house, with a capacious bedroom with bay window and fireplace, a bath/ shower room, and a dressing room with fitted wardrobes and the lift. The second floor hosts two bedrooms, bathroom, and further bedroom/hobby room, with a further walk through room with fitted storage.

Cottage and outbuildings
To the north of the house is a range of traditional chalkstone and brick outbuildings, including a former coach house and cottage.

The cottage is an excellent asset to the house, for guests, multigenerational living or perhaps an Airbnb. It requires renovation, and is not currently habitable, but has formerly been a comfortable home for tenants. It comprises a central kitchen, living room, and two bedrooms with vaulted ceilings. The cottage has its own private garden. The former coach house provides garaging, stables and workshop, with pretty dovecote above, but could also be utilised in other ways to suit lifestyle requirements. Adjoining the walled garden is a further workshop, potting shed, greenhouse, storage room and open fronted garden storage.

Location

Gardens and grounds
The gardens and grounds of Park House are a complete delight, framing the house and providing a wonderful outlook, together with a privacy and protection important for an edge of village house.

Electric wrought iron gates open to a long gravelled driveway, flanked by clipped holly hedging and park fencing underplanted with spring bulbs. This leads up to the wide parking and turning area in front of the east façade. The drive continues to the coach house and cottage, and through to the meadow at the western most point.

The gardens are full of charm, with informal and formal areas, and mostly established creating a timeless feel to the surroundings. The majority of the formal gardens are to the south and west. An expanse of lawn sweeps away from the house, bordered by shrubberies and herbaceous beds, full of seasonal colour. Steps from the main lawn lead up through clipped yew hedging to further lawns within the partly walled garden, bordered by deep herbaceous beds. An espaliered pear avenue leads to a door in the wall to the hard tennis court and divide the lawn from the parterre. The latter, of box hedging framing beds used for cutting flowers, vegetables and salads, is a lovely space to enjoy, with brick weave paths and the highlight of a most attractive greenhouse, with pediment detail and lead capping.

Concealed behind the wall is the hard tennis court which, whilst it is playable for a rustic game, would benefit from attention. Beyond this is an area of orchard within the meadow, a lovely open space which could be used for horses, sheep or other grazing animals, or for storing boats, or perhaps a wild flower conservation meadow. There are further field shelters, and timber outbuildings providing further storage.

To the east of the house are further lawns, with a park like feel, drawing the eye down to the church and where the village fete had been held in the past. Throughout the grounds are a selection of fine trees including oak, beech, magnolia and holm oak.

Situation
Park House is located on the edge of the village of Old Hunstanton, mentioned in the Domesday Book and synonymous with the Le Strange family, who continue to own much of the surrounding land. It has the appealing combination of an old and tranquil side, and a more active and modern one, as is so often the case with Norfolk coastal villages that have continued to evolve.

Within the village is the Le Strange Arms hotel, and public house ‘The Ancient Mariner’, both of which are part of the Chestnut group, well known for creating stylish and enjoyable dining and drinking experiences. The village also boasts a Michelin starred restaurant, The Neptune, and cafes on the edge of the sandy wide sandy beach, with pretty beach huts. Alongside the beach is the well regarded Old Hunstanton Golf course, a links course rated as one of Britain & Ireland’s ‘top 100’ courses.

The neighbouring town of Hunstanton has further pubs and restaurants alongside supermarkets and further facilities.

The house is conveniently situated for easy access to the Norfolk coastline, renowned for its superb sailing at Brancaster Staithe, Birdwatching at RSPB Titchwell, kite-surfing and a plethora of gastro pubs, delicatessens, Seafood shops, art galleries and antiques.

The historic market town of Kings Lynn is about 15 miles, with mainline rail service to London Kings Cross via Cambridge.

Square Footage: 5,945 sq ft


Acreage: 3.54 Acres

Additional Info

Services
Mains water and electricity. Private drainage. Gas fired central heating.

Local Authority
Kings Lynn and West Norfolk 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.