The Silk House2 Cow Hill | Norwich | Norfolk | NR2 1EZ

S I L K A N D T H E C I T Y

“Woven into the rich tapestry of Norwich history, the Huguenot textile merchants are a key part of the story.

This home was built for one of them and over the years has been school and chapel, now restored to former glory.

It’s a house packed with character, boasting features through the ages, from the 17th century to the art deco period too,

now combined with modern comforts and beautifully finished so you can move straight in and there’s no work to do!”

KEY FEATURES

• A Grade II Listed Townhouse situated in the Popular Norwich Lanes within the City Centre

• The Property dates back to the 17th Century and retains Character to include the Staircase, Wood Panelling, Fireplaces, Stained Glass Windows and Sash Windows with Shutters

• Four Bedrooms; Master Bedroom with En-Suite• Ground Floor and First Floor Cloakrooms; Main Bathroom• Drawing Room; Sitting Room/Dining Area; Cellar• Stunning Kitchen with Large Island Unit, Panelled Walls and

Fireplace• Enclosed Rear Garden• The Accommodation extends to 2,487sq.ft• EPC Rating: C

A deft and sympathetic restoration of a magnificent Grade II listed city home, this is an impressive and welcoming property. In an historic district packed with beautiful streets, living here you have everything on the doorstep and a wonderful sense of the city’s past. You also benefit from practical contemporary amenities including two parking permits, so this is a home that works perfectly to meet a great many needs.

A Huguenot HomeThis gorgeous period home was built around 1680 by a Huguenot silk merchant who had fled to England from France to escape religious persecution. Along with the house next door, it’s believed to have been one property originally and was separated in the 18th century. The ground floor housed workshops with accommodation for the merchant above. Local wool worsted was sent overseas and exchanged for silk which was then worked into garments here. The house still has an original stained glass window with a hand-painted Norwich lion standing astride a skein of silk, thought to be the merchant’s logo. By 1841, a schoolmaster lived here with his family and a maid. By 1851, there were 15 schoolchildren living here, which indicates that the first-floor front rooms were knocked through around this time to create a dormitory. By 1881 this was a lodging house and it continued to be a private residence until around the time of the First World War, when it was taken over by the Liberal Party as their local headquarters. It was later rented out to an insurance company, then in the 1950s sold to the Christadelphians who converted it into a chapel. When they sold the

KEY FEATURES

chapel in 2017, the owners bought it and have painstakingly converted it back into a house. They have put together a much more detailed history of the property and this is available should the purchasers wish to find out more.

Sympathetically RenovatedThe owner had renovated several properties before but nothing on this scale: “We relished the challenge and the opportunity to restore this to its former glory, returning it to residential use and keeping all the character it has accumulated over the centuries.” They developed a close working relationship with conservation officers who were able to guide and advise the owners so they could nail every detail. The result is a home that perfectly suits 21st century lifestyles without sacrificing all the charm that makes the building so special. As this was originally a home with a workspace, so it could be again – the layout has been designed to offer this option, perhaps for an artist with a studio. Equally, it’s plenty big enough to be a family home and the quiet, enclosed south facing garden means it’s ideal for afternoon tea or a glass of wine in the evening! Teens would no doubt be thrilled at the thought of living in the heart of the city and being able to explore all the delights on the doorstep. An active retired couple could live the high life here, heading to the theatre, meeting friends for drinks, shopping up a storm, or simply popping to one of the excellent delis around here for a coffee or to pick up some goodies for lunch.

A Glorious LocationThe house is found in one of the most historic parts of the city, an area known for its interesting buildings and quaint streets. You’re near the picturesque St Giles and the popular Norwich Lanes but far enough away from main roads and nightlife that you don’t get noise disturbance or motor pollution. The owners love sitting in the window seats watching the world go by and because the church and streets are lit well into the evening, you don’t have to stop when darkness falls. You’re near to the market as well as to the cinemas, the Forum with the central library and of course to all the shops. If you work in Norwich, you’ll enjoy a short commute on foot and with a residents’ permit and a visitor’s permit you can park two cars on the road here and get out and about very easily.

KEY FEATURES

The AccommodationYou take in the front elevation of this recently renovated Grade II Listed townhouse before moving through the front door into the…

Main Reception HallFrom here there is a feature archway providing a glimpse of the staircase that rises to the first floor. You note the marble flooring underfoot along with the picture rail around the walls. A door to your right leads you into the…

Drawing RoomA great space, noting the two sash windows to the front elevation with the original shutters and seating. Taking centre stage within the room is the feature exposed brick and timber fireplace (currently not in use). Also within the room you have engineered wood flooring underfoot along with period style radiators, decorative cornicing and picture rails.

Moving through into the inner hallway, as mentioned earlier you note the staircase with its French polished handrail, which rises to the first floor and is believed to be circa 1730. Moving through a door to your right leads into the…

Ground Floor CloakroomFitted with a low level WC and a pedestal wash hand basin.

Adjacent to which is the door that leads to the

CellarYou take the steps down into the cellar. Please note here there is a flying freehold with the neighbouring property. Within the cellar there are units to one aspect with a single bowl sink unit with a mixer tap over along with exposed brickwork and timbers to add character.

Returning to the hall, you note the original flooring underfoot along with a door that provides access to the rear. Moving up the staircase your eyes are drawn to the large restored stain glass window which allows plenty of natural light to flood in. On the first floor landing, immediately in front of you are two doors which provide access into a…

KEY FEATURES

Second Sitting Room/Dining AreaYou note the panelled walls and feature curved display area with two sash windows with window seats. Taking centre stage within the room is the fireplace (currently not in use) with reclaimed timber surround. Moving through an opening you arrive in the…

KitchenThe main feature is the central island unit that houses the single bowl sink unit with mixer tap over set within a granite work surface. To the other side of the unit are two Bosch ovens with a Neff induction hob above again surrounded by granite work surface. Within the centre of the unit is an extractor and towards one end of the unit is a breakfast bar with built in Neff dishwasher. There are wall and base units throughout this space and a continuation of the panel walling along with two sash windows with window seats to the front aspect, allowing plenty of natural light. Wall panelling along with a fireplace with a painted surround is a feature to one wall. Beneath your feet you have stripped wood floorboards. A door provides access out onto the main landing.

Bedroom FourWith a built in wardrobe along with a cupboard with a hanging rail. There is a feature fireplace with a window to the rear aspect, along with exposed brick work and a picture rail.

Moving across the landing you catch sight of the stained glass window, before discovering the first floor landing cloakroom. From here you have another staircase which takes you up to the second floor landing where you have a window to the rear elevation along with exposed brickwork and timbers. An ideal area for a little study! There is a door to your right into the…

Master Bedroom SuiteWith two windows to the front elevation along with an exposed beam, decorative cornicing and a picture rail. A door takes you through to the en-suite shower room with electric under floor heating. This is fitted with a three piece white suite comprising of a low level WC, pedestal wash hand basin, shower cubicle and a chrome towel radiator.

Main BathroomFitted with a three piece white suite comprising of a panel bath with Mira shower above, a low level WC and a pedestal wash hand basin and tiled flooring.

KEY FEATURES

Bedroom TwoA good size double bedroom, with two windows to the front aspect which provide views over the church. This room boasts exposed beams and brickwork along with a picture rail.

Bedroom ThreeLocated to the rear of the home, with a window to the rear aspect along with a cupboard housing the hot water tank and gas fired boiler.

The OutsideThere is a rear door that provides access to the Indian slate paved pathway which leads to the enclosed garden with Indian slate terrace area. There is also a small area of lawn.

LOCAL AREA

On Your DoorstepCow Hill is situated close to the city centre within the well known Norwich Lanes area of Norwich. The property is in close proximity of a range of its own amenities including public houses, cafes and takeaways, a newsagent, bank and building society plus pharmacy, launderette and convenience stores along with a Tesco mini supermarket and the well known Norwich market. Norwich market offers a diverse range of stalls including takeaway food to all tastes, haberdashery, shoe menders, key cutters, fruit and veg, luggage and pet supplies, homewares and fashion amongst a myriad of others! Just a few minutes’ walk from the centre of Norwich and with regular bus services into the suburbs and beyond. Schools are within easy reach of the property, including Norwich High School for Girls, Stretton Nursery and Preparatory School and Town Close and Norwich Cathedral.

How Far is it To?Within such close proximity to Norwich city centre there is a large array of cultural and leisure facilities nearby, including Chapelfields shopping centre, bars, restaurants, theatres and cinemas. There are a number of good schools in the state and private sectors as well as the University of East Anglia. Norwich has a main line station to London Liverpool Street with an approximate journey time of 1 hour 50 mins, also providing commuter trains to Cambridge. There is an international airport to the north side of the city and access to most major trunk roads. From the A11 Newmarket Road, Cambridge lies approximately 60 miles to the south-west and Newmarket 47 miles.

INFORMATION

DirectionsProceed from this office by foot along London Street. Upon reaching what was originally the Natwest Bank and is now the Cozy Club restaurant, take the street to the right of the building onto Bedford Street. Continue along onto Lobster Lane which then becomes Pottergate. Proceed along Pottergate until you reach the Tavern on the corner, turning left onto Cow Hill and The Silk House can be found displaying a Fine and Country For Sale Sign.

ServicesNorwich City CouncilGas Central Heating, Mains Water, Mains Drainage

Agents NoteThe property has two flying freeholds on the first floor and cellar. Also the property is eligible for one permit for parking plus a visitors permit.

Norfolk Country Properties. Registered in England and Wales No. 06777456.Registered Office - 15B Regatta Quay, Key Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 1FHcopyright © 2016 Fine & Country Ltd.

Agents notes: All measurements are approximate 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

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