The White House Old Catton NR6 7NG

The White House Old Catton NR6 7NG

THE WHITE HOUSE Its first wing, built in 1742, a beautiful example of early craftsmen s skill, added to in 1850 with a Georgian wing, so pretty, and sure to thrill. This beautifully restored six bedroomed family home is a showpiece; that s for sure, with original features throughout, rich in tone and allure. With a magnificent mature garden to enjoy and explore, your one wish will be to stay here, and be happy evermore.

An Elegant Grade II Listed Family Home with Grounds of just over 1 acre situated within a Conservation Area in the village of Old Catton Five/Six Bedrooms; Six Bathrooms/Shower Rooms Four Receptions; Cellar Impressive Kitchen/Breakfast Room with Separate Utility Triple Garaging with Electric Powered Doors Within the Grounds there is a Former Coach House with Planning Permission for Conversion into an Annexe The Accommodation extends to 5,607sq.ft No EPC Required

The White House, Old Catton sits in its own private grounds to the north of Norwich, with easy access into the city, the Norfolk Broads, and the coast beyond. With a sweeping drive taking you right up to the door, it has been beautifully restored and lavishly refurbished from top to bottom. Yet this finely proportioned house of two halves the first dated back to 1742; a splendid Georgian wing and the second from the mid-19th century and displaying many original Victorian features is nevertheless a warm and welcoming family home. Tastefully decorated, using only the highest quality materials, the ground floor receptions have an easy flow, with five/six bedrooms and six bathrooms offering plentiful accommodation for family and friends alike. The grounds stretch out over one acre, with a lovely mix of native trees and shrubs; seasonal borders bringing colour and interest. And with a great courtyard barbecue area and original loggia from which to take in the views, you re sure to enjoy life here to the full. Waiting In The Wings The current owners admit to being total bowled over on their first visit to the property, as they say, We cannot resist a period property, and this was the finest that I had ever come across. I particularly love the fact that it has so many original features that date back to two key periods in English architecture, but knew that they had some work to do in order to achieve their goal of creating the perfect family home. We took on the property in 2008, but it was two years down the line before we finally moved in. No stone has been left unturned: every room was taken back to its original state, and restored as it would have been. The list of works was extensive, and the property being listed, had to be in accordance with some pretty stringent regulations. In the Georgian wing, nine ceilings were removed, the horsehair and batons replaced before putting them back; the beautiful Fleur de Lys ceiling in the Games Room was cleaned in order to bring it back to its original state; the twenty-two original sash windows were either totally replaced or repaired and the oak windows underwent the same treatment. Coving has been replaced following the original design; floors have been cleaned, sanded and polished and doors stripped back, and in some cases relocated, or replaced, most notably the back door, The back door is one of my favourite features, and one which we replaced to the original design. It was salvaged from an old hall and adds such charm.

Modern Day Magic As charming as old houses are, it is well-known that they can be cold, drafty and awkward in their design. Not this one! Whilst all the renovation was going on, plans for extensive modernisation were running conjunctly in order to ensure that this served the owner and his family well as a fully-functioning, comfortable place to live. And it certainly hasn t disappointed, as this is now a really cosy home, The underfloor heating that we put in and remote controlled gas fires are brilliant, and as the walls are so thick, this is a really snug, warm house, says the owner, adding, We installed a security alarm system with smoke detectors throughout and hard drive CCTV system with internal and external cameras. We also have independent Bose sound systems in a number of the rooms, and TVs in the majority too. The kitchen breakfast room is a feast for the eyes: hand-crafted by local joiner Eric Bates & Sons, it offers scope for a team of cooks to work alongside, as the owner explains, As we both like to cook, we have our own ovens of choice, induction and gas, as well as a really useful warming drawer, and with an extensive run of 60mm granite worktops, we can entertain for a big crowd without any problem at all. A cellar holds the wine at optimum temperature, and utility room has plenty of space for prepping, and both appealed to the owner when he first saw the property. We have restored the original Butlers Sink which now takes pride of place in the utility room, and then there s the cellar. Part of the cellar was originally an apple store which has now been renovated. There's plenty of space to store wine, but it's all set up with central heating and lighting, so could set up another bedroom or an office down there. Five Star Accommodation Along with the ground floor, the first floor bedrooms have been individually decorated, and again, using only the best that money can buy. I wanted every bedroom to have the feel of a top designer hotel so I went all out on fixtures and fittings, and the best quality decorating materials. We have feature walls in every room, with designer wallpaper from the like of Mulberry, Zoffany, Villers, Nina Campbell and Cole & Son, with granite tops and travertine tiles, and I have to say that the Master Suite is one of my favourite places to be. We both have our own bathrooms, designed to our own choice, and we also have air-conditioning and electric blinds on the windows, BOSE sound system and TV, and lovely dressing rooms, one of which is decorated with Fornasetti wallpaper by Cole & Son. It's a stunning space. The gardens do not disappoint either, and where better to take in the view than from a loggia, part of the original design of the house, and a favourite spot for the owner to spend time. I love the loggia. It has been totally restored, with the roof replaced and the two glass panels in the roof which allow the light in throughout the day. Daffodils, a lovely purple flowering Wisteria and mature Magnolia tree announce that Spring has arrived in resplendent fashion every year, and the owner looks forward to summer sun-bathing and a barbecue in the courtyard, which is a real suntrap and ideally placed next to the kitchen. Autumn colours are not to be missed either, with a lovely Beech tree and Red Robin setting the tone, and the owner confesses that this garden will be sorely missed, as we hear, This has been a great family garden. I love to wander through the woodland with the dog, and we ve had so many lovely impromptu barbecues in the courtyard, and it s great to have the two entrances. And with a former Coach House with planning permission to convert into an Annexe, you could even have the option for further, separate accommodation in the grounds.

The three remote controlled gas fires are brilliant, and as the walls are so thick, this is a really snug, warm house,

No stone has been left unturned: every room was taken back to its original state, and restored as it would have been.

"The games room boasts a beautiful Fleur de Lys ceiling, the original panel walls and the original oak flooring along with a large open fireplace."

The Master Suite is one of my favourite places to be. We both have our own bathrooms, designed to our own choice, and we also have air-conditioning and electric blinds on the windows, BOSE sound system and TV, and lovely dressing rooms, one of which is decorated with Fornasetti wallpaper by Cole & Son. It s a stunning space.

The White House 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. Printed

Directions From the inner ring road follow signs for Wroxham onto the A1151. By the Artichoke pub at the traffic lights, turn right into Magdalen Road and then fork left onto the B1150 for North Walsham. Continue over the ring road and at the next traffic light junction turn left into George Hill where the main entrance to the house is on the right hand side towards the bottom of the hill. There is a further vehicular and pedestrian entrance from the front of the house on the Spixworth Road which is at the bottom of George Hill after turning right. The postcode for the property is NR6 7NG.

Grove House Farm

The White House This has been a great family home. I love to wander through the woodland with the dog, and we ve had so many lovely impromptu barbecues in the courtyard, and it s great to have the two entrances.