Coastal contemporary within brick and flint charm.

Description

Sunbeams, set in the heart of the coastal village of Cley, is an exceptional Grade II listed home of scale and style. With the highly appealing mix of mellow red brick, Norfolk flint and a lime render framing Georgian sash windows, it gives little away to the contemporary edge within, including polished concrete floors and open-plan living spaces. Add in a characterful annexe run as a successful Airbnb, a converted granary, with mixed use consent, that could be used in many ways, alongside the hallowed off-street parking that is crucial for stress-free coastal living, and Sunbeams has an adaptability to suit many lifestyles.

Formerly an 18th century inn and maltings, the house was the subject of a thorough overhaul and renovation, with a collaboration of ideas between our client and their architects to transform the house sympathetically. The results are visually impressive and entirely practical for 21st century living.

Principal House
The living space at Sunbeams has a convenient mix of open plan and more cosy areas to enjoy. The epicentre of life at the house is the fabulous open-plan kitchen/living/dining area, double height to the rafters, an abundance of natural light thanks to heritage velux windows and plenty of south facing glazing. The seamless polished concrete floor, which runs the entirety of the ground floor, and sharp lines of the kitchen cabinetry, blend with the original exposed beams and lime plaster walls, whilst bi-fold doors out to the courtyard bring the outside in. Adaptable, atmospheric LED Hue lighting is set into the beams and superfast Cat6 ethernet cabling runs throughout the house. There is a 1TB fibre optic internet connection direct to the house.

A large opening leads to a further open-plan area, a more formal space used as a living room, with a wood burner adding to the atmosphere, flowing into the staircase hall with a distinctive oak staircase.

A more snug TV room is a private space to enjoy, with functionality provided by a laundry, a useful ground floor shower room to hose muddy dogs and children, and a further utility.

The bedrooms are over the first and second floor, with great ceiling height and natural light. The principal bedroom is charming, with double sash windows with shutters, en suite bath/shower room and built-in storage, with a further three bedrooms with lovely detail including original paneling and cupboards. These rooms are served by the family bathroom. Two separate sets of stairs lead to the converted attic space, with two studies including one with a view of Cley marshes and the coastline, storage room, and a spacious bedroom with vaulted ceilings and en suite shower room.

Annexe
Self-contained from the main house, yet linked via a corridor providing the opportunity to incorporate into the house if needed, the annexe is a thoughtful conversion, currently a brilliant Airbnb yielding a useful income. The tone is set by an impressive entrance hall, double height with curved flint wall and staircase. This leads to a first floor open-plan kitchen and living area, with heritage veluxes for natural light and exposed beams. There is a comfortable double bedroom on the ground floor, with adjoining bathroom, and a further bedroom currently used as a library.

Granary
Again self-contained, yet with direct access from the annexe, is the granary. This is a highly adaptable space that could be used in many different ways. It is an inspiring space with high ceilings up to the rafters - again with adaptable, atmospheric LED Hue lighting set into the beams - with a main room of about 6.9m x 6.6m. Off the main room is a WC and shower, and a store room with direct access out to the parking area.

Stairs lead up to a first floor room, with velux windows. The granary is one for the imagination to dictate how it is used, whether it be a games room or gym, further Airbnb, work from home space, art studio or a combination of the aforementioned. It is an asset to the overall package.

Outside
Being at the centre of a coastal village, the coastline, to a large extent, is your garden. Whether it be swimming, kayaking or boating through the creeks close by, wandering the coastal paths or heading up to the village playing field with its playground, these are all on your doorstep.

The current owners, therefore, focused on ease of maintenance and lifestyle when defining the outside space of Sunbeams. With two courtyards, both south facing and set between the main house and the annexe and granary, they make excellent sun traps for outside dining, entertaining or simply relaxing. The first courtyard, with yorkstone paving and a wonderfully old olive tree at the centre, is where you spill out from the bi-folds of the dining area, or stable door of the kitchen. This courtyard has plenty of space for seating, and has a brick and flint outdoor kitchen area with pizza oven and Argentinian grill. The adjoining second courtyard, separated by brick and flint wall and attractive door, is laid to artificial grass for ease, with further olive trees, lavender beds and wood store completing the Mediterranean feel from both areas. A pedestrian door leads out to the parking area and village.

Essential for a coastal house of this calibre, in such a central location, there is an off-street gravelled parking area adjoining the house for three cars.

Location

Cley-next-the-Sea is one of the most authentic coastal villages of North Norfolk, with a rich history. The village was one of the busiest ports in England, which formed the wealth to create the wonderful buildings that the village enjoys, from fishermans’ cottages to merchants’ houses.

Today it offers an eclectic range of shops on the doorstep including the Crabpot Bookshop, Pinkfoot gallery, Cley Smokehouse, Made in Cley, and the renowned Picnic Fayre delicatessen. There are two pubs, The George and Three Swallows, and the well-known Wiveton Hall Café just up the hill from the village.

As an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the coastline from the village and as a whole is an inspiring and uplifting landscape to be amongst. The shingle beach of Cley has become a magnet for local sea swimmers, whilst the coastal path leads to Blakeney, with further pubs, galleries and bakery and east to Salthouse with the popular Dun Cow public house. The area is renowned globally for its birdwatching, with the Cley reserve notable as the oldest Norfolk Wildlife Trust reserve, purchased in 1926.

For keen sailors, or boat enthusiasts, you can keep a boat in the harbour and follow the creeks through the reed beds, winding round to Blakeney and their resident seals, whilst also providing excellent sailing.

The Georgian town of Holt is to the south, with a plethora of boutique shops, cafes, delicatessens and a Michelin-starred restaurant, alongside Bakers & Larners department store and supermarket, and essential facilities such as GP surgery, dentist and post office. The highly regarded Gresham’s School, pre-prep, prep, and senior, is on the edge of the town, with Beeston Hall prep school further along the coast to the east.

Square Footage: 6,146 sq ft


Acreage: 0.16 Acres

Additional Info

Services
Mains electricity, water and drainage and oil fired central heating. CAT6 cabling and 1TB fibre direct to house.

Local Authority
North Norfolk District Council.
Council Tax band H

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.