The Property
A historic Grade II listed hall set in glorious, private grounds of around 5.9 acres (stms). Meticulously maintained, with exquisite accommodation and a guest cottage, this landmark home commands an idyllic, semi-rural setting – conveniently close to North Norfolk’s coast and the city of Norwich. Irmingland Hall is a handsome and imposing, Grade II listed country house, with a wonderful south-facing position surrounded by gloriously undulating countryside overlooking the Bure Valley. Spanning three floors, the main hall extends to almost 8,000 sq. ft. whilst there’s also a three-bedroom guest cottage of around 900 sq. ft.

The Hall was originally substantially larger, built in an H-Plan in 1609 for Sir Nathaniel Bacon, and once belonged to the Fleetwood family, one of whom, General Fleetwood, married Oliver Cromwell’s daughter Bridget who, it is said, lived at the hall.

In 1788, the majority of the hall was demolished, leaving the north wing which stands today. This was extensively renovated, with a façade added in 1920, and has been maintained to a high standard by the current owners, who have sympathetically enhanced this great hall during their meticulous ownership. With oversized sash windows, elegant portico entrance and impressive mellow red-brick elevations, the hall has a great presence set alongside glorious and undulating countryside.

There are fine formal rooms, which are to be expected in such an historic residence. In particular the panelled drawing room, with detailed fireplace and double height ceiling, and a superb garden room, added in 2015, with a vaulted ceiling which provides a spectacular view of the gardens and grounds, are stand-out spaces within the home. A formal dining room, set off the main hall, provides entertaining options on a grand scale. A refined in-frame kitchen is open-plan to a dining area and provides the all-important hub of the home, complete with Aga, a suite of integral appliances and impressive open fireplace. A further addition to the house, in recent years, was a charming double aspect sitting room, a cosy yet elegant room it enjoys fine views down the sprawling gardens and beyond to idyllic water meadows. A pleasant and informal snug provides a peaceful and restful space away from the formal areas.

As with many homes of this scale and stature there are several functional and practical rooms to support the lifestyle it bestows with a pantry, cellar, utility room, boot room, and boiler room. An elegant, oak panelled staircase rises from the reception hall to the first-floor landing above. Echoing the drawing room below, the sumptuous principal bedroom boasts a double height ceiling and glorious double aspect views. Extensive, fine cabinetry lines the walls whilst a dressing area and en-suite bath/shower room add to the luxury of this exceptional space. Two further double bedrooms, both with en-suite bathrooms, provide further principal rooms each enjoying fine views of the gardens. The first floor is complete with a study. A turning staircase from the landing leads to the second floor, which hosts a further three generously sized bedrooms and bathroom. This floor provides a high degree of versatility whilst allowing the accommodation of the house to expand and contract, as required.

Tucked away on the east elevation of the hall is a self-contained cottage offering lateral accommodation, which provides a multitude of functions including guest accommodation, in-house staffing options and other forms of hospitality. The cottage is currently configured as three bedrooms, with an en-suite bedroom and a separate bathroom, a dining room and kitchen, hall and a lovely sitting room with french doors out to a sheltered garden area with delightful views. Set between the hall and the cottage are four bays of garaging, with electric doors, providing flexible ancillary space to utilise. Adjoining the garaging is a store area, complete with gardener’s loo.

Externally
Irmingland Hall is set in around 5.9 acres (stms) of land and enjoys a grand approach from the south, through wrought iron gates mounted on stone pillars between concaved brick walls, onto a gravelled driveway. The driveway sweeps down to the house, with views of the valley beyond, is flanked by exquisite, formalised gardens. The drive leads to the front of the house where a spacious courtyard area provides a formal arrival. Through high walls on the west elevation the drive wraps around the hall and onwards to a rear courtyard area giving access to the ancillary buildings and guest cottage. A second, informal entrance leads out of the grounds.

The gardens and grounds are a great asset to the hall and create a magical and serene environment whilst soft boundaries ensure the property and grounds marry seamlessly with adjoining countryside. To the south of the house is a predominantly walled garden, with high south and east-facing walls. This area surrounds the house and parking area with expansive lawns. A wonderful paved sun terrace adjoins the garden room and is ideal for outside dining and entertaining, looking out over an ornamental pond and the well-stocked colourful borders. Steps up through a stone balustrade rise to further expanse of lawn which has been conveniently levelled for sporting pursuits.

The majority of the grounds off the rear elevation of the hall are mainly laid to lawn and provide an idyllic parkland style appeal. Peppered with a fine selection of meticulously maintained trees, the parkland gardens sweep gently away from the hall down to water meadows in the valley. To the north of the house is an established orchard and hard tennis court. The boundaries of the land are either fenced or hedged with a variety of established trees.

Irmingland Hall commands a unique and idyllic setting with an elevated position which embraces a glorious and discreet corner of North Nofolk’s countryside. With immense privacy and rural appeal, the property also enjoys the excellent nearby conveniences of the historic market towns of Holt and Aylsham. The vibrant city of Norwich and its airport are less than 14 miles away to the south and provide a plethora of amenities, along with travel opportunities with worldwide connections.