Winner of the ROSE Award 2023 for outstanding customer service and a five-star gold-rated property by Visit England, this glorious Georgian Rectory, with a separate pool house and acres of beautiful gardens, is the perfect place to gather for weekend breaks, reunions, celebrations and family holidays.
Set in a rural location in the delightful village of Great Hockham, Vicarage House is your own private oasis to do as much or as little as you like. Original features meet sophisticated luxury with highlights including a swimming pool, a tennis court, three living spaces, a games room and a grand dining room with the opportunity to hire a private chef. There are complimentary bicycles for the guests.
Should you wish to explore beyond the grounds, nearby activities include walks, bike rides, golf in Thetford Forest Park, boat rides on the Norfolk Broads via Bure Valley Steam Railway and trips to Brancaster Beach or Holkham Beach.
The House
This elegant Georgian Rectory is set over two floors and boasts a delightful combination of stunning décor and unique antiques.
The comfortable sitting room is an ideal place to relax on three comfortable sofas for a movie night on the Smart TV or a catch-up beside the open fire. This dual aspect room overlooks both the walled garden to the side of the house and the gravel garden to the front. Board games, a wide selection of books, magazines and DVDs satisfy every mood.
Meanwhile, the fully-equipped kitchen is complete with everything you will need including a six-hob range oven, combi-microwave oven, American fridge/freezer, dishwasher, warming drawers, coffee machine and bottle fridge, while the breakfast table comfortably seats 10. Adjacent to the kitchen is a handy laundry room with a second dishwasher, two washing machines and three tumble dryers.
For a more formal affair, venture to the grand dining room with its beautiful hand-painted Chinoiserie walls and 14-seater dining table. If you don’t feel like cooking or you are celebrating a special occasion, a private chef can be arranged with the owner
Once replenished, head to the charming drawing room, thoughtfully designed to comfortably seat your whole party in front of the warming open fire, surrounded by antiques and fine art.
On the first floor, you will find five individually designed bedrooms with cosy interiors and characterful charm. There are two super king-size bedrooms with an en-suite shower room each, a further two super king-size bedrooms with access to the family bathroom, and an additional twin bedroom which also has access to the family bathroom.
The Pool House
This stunning cottage is separate to but next door to the main house with accommodation for up to six guests. The property is complete with a stunning living room featuring 20ft vaulted ceilings, oak beams and direct access to the swimming pool. There are two sumptuous sofas and a TV for cosy nights, with a fully-equipped kitchen at one end.
At the far end of the cottage, there is a games room with a log burner, sofas, bean bags, DVD, Wii and Game Cube all attached to the Smart TV. Board games and table tennis are available, perfect for keeping younger guests entertained.
The cottage has three delightful bedrooms. There’s a super king-size bedroom and a king-size bedroom with access to a shared shower room, while a further king-size bedroom has an en-suite shower room.
The Grounds
The house is adorned with enchanting grounds which have recently qualified for the National Garden Scheme. There are acres of gardens to explore and play on, along with a swimming pool, tennis court, five-a-side football pitch and ample seating for alfresco dining in the summer months. A large selection of complimentary bicycles is stored in the oak garage for cycling in the grounds or further afield into the adjacent Thetford Forest.
There are four terraces, all furnished with high-quality teak and rattan chairs. There are steamers beside the swimming pool. A 5-metre table with 14 dining chairs on the main terrace for lunches and suppers, with another terrace along side with benches and table for morning coffee or drinks before supper. The main terrace is covered with a sail allowing the perfect environment whatever the weather.