“Standing The Test Of Time”Hoxne | Suffolk | IP21 5AT

“STANDING THE TEST OF TIME”“A very attractive former vicarage, beautifully situated in moated gardens, offering views over the Waveney valley. The edge of village location means you enjoy all the tranquility of the countryside but can walk to the school, shop, pub and more, as well as immersing yourself in community life if desired. Whether you want your forever family home, a place packed with history, a glorious garden in which to unwind or a property where you can gather friends to entertain in style, the newly renovated vicarage will rise to each occasion and meet your every need.”

• Beautiful Detached Grade II Listed Former Vicarage• Origins Going Back to Around 1470 - Almost 550

Years Old• Magnificent Moat and Stunning Views• Fine Drawing Room and Dining Room• Excellent Aga Kitchen With Granite Work Surfaces• Breakfast Room, Study• Six Comfortable Bedrooms, Three En Suites and a

Family Bathroom• Beautiful Gardens of around Three Acres (stms)• Cart Lodge and Workshop building with Floor Above• Around 14 Acres of Adjacent Glebe land Available

By Separate Negotiation

Built around 1470, this home must have many a secret hidden within its walls. It’s been altered and extended over the centuries, including substantial renovations in the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as another by the current owners in more recent years. Today the house offers a wealth of original character coupled with very comfortable and stylish accommodation, filled with light and welcoming warmth.

Revels At The RectoryThe moat here dates back to the 13th century and there’s been a house on the site since that time, if not before. It was originally used as the summer palace for the Bishop of Norwich and he would spend time here hunting and relaxing with friends. Rumour has it he also owned what is now the Swan Inn and there was a bridge over the moat enabling his lady friends to visit discreetly in the evenings. The moat would have been quite the status symbol and originally continued right around the grounds, so would have had a drawbridge to keep out the undesirables! It’s stocked with fish and encloses a separate pond within the grounds, where the monks would have caught fish to cook and serve to those staying at the house. The current occupants bought the property from the church and are the first private owners. When they came here, the vicarage had been well loved but they could see so much more potential and have embarked on a programme of restoration and renovation, whilst retaining and preserving all the original features.

“We’ve been told there may be a sword cupboard here and a possible priest hole. It’s certainly a house with more than a few secrets!”

For Unwinding Or EntertainingThe house has been perfect for the owners, who use all the ground floor rooms, and it would be ideal for a family. The drawing room is west facing and has two sets of French windows onto the garden, while the breakfast room faces east and is wonder-ful at the start of the day. You can sit and watch the birds while taking in the outlook over the Waveney Valley. The owners each have an office, plus there’s a formal dining room. The kitchen is large enough for a seating area where you can share coffee with friends. The owners enjoy entertaining at home, with the terraced area lending itself to parties and the sum-merhouse particularly useful when the weather isn’t co-operative. They have hosted village events here as well as making wonderful memories with family.

Idyllic Surroundings It comes as no surprise to find the owners’ grandchildren love to visit – this would be a magical place to raise a family. Children can play out on the lawn, organise games of croquet in summer, try their hand at pooh sticks on the bridge or row along the moat, which extends to around 250 metres. There’s plenty of wildlife to spot, including all the usual garden birds, game birds from the surrounding countryside, horses sometimes grazing in one of the fields, and deer walking along through the grass in the mornings. The grounds are extensive and have been planted with easy to care for shrubberies. A keen gardener could spend many a happy hour here, introducing more formal planting or creating a vegetable and herb garden. There are currently plenty of mature shrubs to nurture, plus an orchard with apples, pears, cherries, quince and a productive fig tree that you can reach from your bedroom window. Other highlights include an ancient mulberry tree said to have been grown from seeds given to the church by James I in the hope that he could start a silk business. Sadly for James, these are the wrong sort of mulberry trees – but their charm is still evident all these centuries later. There’s also a magnificent redwood, featured on the Redwood World website.

Company name. Norfolk Country Properties Ltd. Registered in England and Wales No. 06777456Registered Office - 15B Regatta Quay, Key Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1FH.copyright © 2019 Fine & Country Ltd.

A Welcoming CommunityThe house and grounds sit right on the edge of the village, adjacent to the church, so you’re very much a part of the community here but also enjoy a high degree of privacy. The owners have embraced village life and found themselves very welcome. You can walk down to the shop and post office for your paper every morning or head to the excellent pub for lunch. For younger ones, there’s a well-regarded primary school and a children’s playground with zip wire. The shop has a deli and café and is popular with residents, while the village hall and historic church play host to many different clubs and events. All this, plus glorious open countryside on your doorstep, and you can still reach Diss in just a few minutes, hop on a train and travel to London with ease.

“There are no near neighbours, so while we’re a short walk from friends and from the village amenities, we’re not too close by anyone else.”

Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and quoted in metric with imperial equivalents and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. * These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent.

On the DoorstepHoxne has a Post Office/General Stores, public house, church, village hall and a primary school. The village lies some 2.5 miles north east of the castle town of Eye which has a range of everyday amenities including doctor, dentist, supermarkets and a well respected High school. The market town of Diss lies some five miles to the west of Hoxne and has a wider range of facilities including main line railway connections to London Liverpool Street.

How Far is it To?The Cathedral City of Norwich is approx 21 miles and has excellent educational cultural and recreational facilities. The city boasts an international airport with daily flights internally within the UK along with Europe-an destinations. The Suffolk county town of Ipswich lies 21 miles to the South

DirectionsProceed from the market town of Diss along Victoria Road. continuing to the A140 roundabout taking the third exit. Continue to the next roundabout taking the second exit staying on the A140. Take the first left onto the B1118 signposted for Stradbroke and Hoxne. Approaching Hoxne village continue on the B1118 proceeding around the sharp left hand bend. As you leave the bend, turn left immediately into the drive to the property following the sign to the church.

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