A four-bed home converted from the outbuildings of Norfolk’s famous ‘chocolate’ mansion, once owned by some of Norfolk’s most influential families, has come up for sale.

The Clock House in Hethersett, near Norwich, was formerly the carriage house, laundry garden, stable and grooms’ quarters for Thickthorn Hall, which was owned by the Gurney banking family and then the Colman's.

Later it was purchased by the Mackintosh family, who bought out Caley’s in Norwich and developed the first ever packet of Rolos. The owner of Mackintosh’s, Lord Halifax, lived there until his death in 1964 and the home was since dubbed Norfolk’s ‘chocolate’ mansion.

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: The entrance hall, featuring a modern staircase leading upThe entrance hall, featuring a modern staircase leading up (Image: Sowerbys)

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: The property combines period features with more modern additions and offers lots of sociable living spacesThe property combines period features with more modern additions and offers lots of sociable living spaces (Image: Sowerbys)

In the late 1980s the main hall was divided up and converted into apartments. The outbuildings were combined to create one family home, which is now for sale for £1.5m.

Just like the main hall, the buildings date back to the late Georgian era and are symmetrical in design, with a fine courtyard out the front and an impressive water fountain.

A spokesperson for selling agents, Sowerbys, says that when the current owners first viewed the property they “fell in love with the stunning exterior, location and the opportunity to create sociable spaces via the many separate entertaining areas” - and done that they have.

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: The kitchen/breakfast room is a real highlight of the propertyThe kitchen/breakfast room is a real highlight of the property (Image: Sowerbys)

The Clock House, now, is a fusion of the old and the new; period features have been retained and restored alongside more modern additions and the spaces updated to offer real flexibility.

Accommodation flows well throughout, combining a mixture of sociable spaces and more intimate rooms and the free-flowing kitchen/breakfast room is a particular highlight. It features a double-sided fireplace which divides part of the room into an intimate seating area, offering fine views over the neighbouring woodland.

The master bedroom has its own gas fireplace and each of the four bedrooms have their own bathrooms, including the one on the ground floor, which also has access to a separate reception room and could be converted into a guest suite or annexe.

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: Each bedroom has its own en suiteEach bedroom has its own en suite (Image: Sowerbys)

The ground floor also provides a separate snug, office and shower room.

Outside, the south-facing walled garden has been well landscaped and maturely planted. The rest of the garden faces west and offers a completely different feel with a woodland backdrop attracting lots of wildlife and providing a great deal of privacy.

The Clock House also has a parking area, garage and is approached by wrought-iron electric gates.

Wymondham & Attleborough Mercury: The Clock House, Hethersett, has lovely gardens and a secluded settingThe Clock House, Hethersett, has lovely gardens and a secluded setting (Image: Sowerbys)

For more information, contact Sowerbys.

PROPERTY FACTS
Norwich Road, Hethersett
Guide price: £1,500,000
Sowerbys, 01603 761441
www.sowerbys.com