Location

Brancaster, situated on the famous Norfolk coastline, is a charming village with direct access to the coastal lifestyle. The village hosts arguably the best beach of Norfolk, well known for its wide expanse of sand, where many a happy childhood has been spent, and has become a destination for kite surfers. Running alongside the beach is the famous Royal West Norfolk Golf Club, a fine links course immersed within the coastline and where from the 9th tee you can spot Marsh Farm across the marsh. Also within the village is The Ship public house, which is now run by the Michelin rated team of the Sculthorpe Mill, and a village stores and post office.

The coastline as a whole offers further beaches and golf courses, a delicatessen, village stores and popular public houses in nearby Thornham, together with Drove Orchards hosting a farm shop, Gurneys fish shop, and the famous Erics fish & chips, and Erics Pizza. Excellent sailing is from the neighbouring village of Brancaster Staithe, a village with further excellent pubs including the thriving White Horse, fish shop, cafes and village stores.

This stretch of coastline is renowned for superb bird watching, whilst Burnham Market is 7 miles from the house, with an array of boutique independent shops, bakery, butchers, fishmongers and restaurants including Socius and Number 29.

The local and historic market town of Kings Lynn is about 18 miles, with main line rail service to London Kings Cross.

Description

A house that many won’t know exists. Tucked away down an unassuming lane, leading towards the famous marshes of Brancaster, with a garden that gives you direct access to the board walk, Marsh Farm is a hidden gem from which to immerse yourself in coastal living.

Believed to date back to circa 1830, and constructed of the appealing local vernacular of brick and flint, Marsh Farm enjoys a south facing setting. A happy home that has served the current custodians brilliantly as a coastal retreat for the family, there are comfortable and spacious interiors, together with a practicality. The entrance hall for example, has an immediately adjoining shower room for washing off mud caked children, or salty wetsuits, and hosing down the dogs. This leads into the house and the traditional kitchen, with green electric Aga, and space for a breakfast table with the rest of the ground floor consisting of a large L-shaped open plan space. This is multi-functional and currently configured as a dining area adjoining the kitchen, to a lovely sitting area around the charming open fireplace with delft tiles and alcove shelving either side, and finishing with a cosy study/reading area. The entire space is light, with tall ceilings, and enjoys views out to the garden from where skeins of geese can be observed flying out to sea in the evenings.

A central staircase leads up to the first floor, where the views of the coastline begin. A principal bedroom is generous, dual aspect, with an en suite bathroom and built in wardrobes, whilst a further two double bedrooms are served by a family bathroom. The stairs continue up to the top floor, a converted attic space with vaulted ceilings providing a further bedroom/living space. The views from this floor are extraordinary, with wide dormer windows drinking in panoramic views of the salt marshes and across to the Royal West Norfolk golf club. It is a view that is constantly changing, not only with the tides, but also with the wildlife that drift in and out, not to mention the shift in seasons. It is always captivating and instantly calming.

The house, whilst loved and enjoyed, and well maintained, could be described as dated in places and buyers are expected to want to make changes to suit their style and specification.

Adjoining the house is the annexe, a converted traditional outbuilding which comprises a bedroom and en suite shower room. It works well for guest overflow from the house but could of course be utilized in other ways.

Outside
Approached by a discreet driveway, shared with one neighbour, Marsh Farm is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the coast. The drive spurs off into a private parking and turning area, leading round to the garaging. These are a double and single garage, traditionally built and a great space for storing kayaks, kite surfers, bikes and as a games room. The building could be utilised in many ways.

The gardens of Marsh Farm are part of the charm. They extend to about 1.25 acres, wrapping round the house and down to the salt marsh and Norfolk coastal path. To the immediate south of the house is an expanse of lawn with high brick and flint wall along the western boundary. This creates a sheltered sun trap in which to enjoy long summer lunches on the brick weave terrace. Paths wind off through old Yew trees and shrubs, to further lawned areas, orchard and more wild areas to promote wildlife. A collection of willow trees, and a wonderful Holm Oak are features of the garden, whilst a pedestrian gate leads directly onto the coastal path, now a board walk providing endless routes to the rest of the coastline with Brancaster beach if turning left, and Brancaster Staithe harbour if turning right. It is a garden that would suit those looking to maintain the status quo, or those that have plans to landscape and make the most of the position. Above all else it is a private and calm garden being bordered on two sides by National Trust land.