A charming thatched cottage for sale — but you'll have to beware of the neighbours....
In the pretty village of Filby, this three-bedroom cottage has a unique selling point that really is something else: a pair of Sumatran tigers living on the other side of the fence.

'The full Tiger King experience on your doorstep!' reads a line from the details for Oak Lodge, in the village of Filby, within the Norfolk Broads National Park.
It's not so much the design, the thatched roof or the lovely garden that makes it stand out, however; it's what lies next door. The house backs on to the Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens — and more specifically the tiger enclosure. You can see the handsome beasts — a male Sumatran tiger named Kubu and a female called Dua — prowling through their wooded home, and hear the sounds of their roars as they call to each other through the trees.
The house is for sale with Minors & Brady via OnTheMarket at £365,000, the same sort of price as you'd pay for a similarly-sized (or perhaps slightly larger) house in one of the nearby coastal villages, such as Caister, which are a short drive away.
A large, open-plan kitchen-dining room is the heart of the single-storey home, while there's also a separate living room and three bedrooms.
Thrigby Hall itself has an interesting history. Built in 1736 by Joshua Smith, it became a wildlife park in 1979 when a man named Ken Sims took it over. Ken had spent some time living and working with wildlife in Malaysia, and — inspired by David Attenborough and Gerald Durrell — he turned this Georgian house and gardens into a park which now has not only tigers, but also alligators, crocodiles, meerkats and several types of leopard, among others.
The cottage's proximity to the coast, the Norfolk Broads and — of course — the tigers makes it jump out as an ideal holiday let, but it would also make a lovely permanent home. Filby has a primary school among its amenities, the busy seaside town of Great Yarmouth is within easy reach and Norfolk is just over half an hour's drive.
Lowther Castle: The incredible transformation of the ruins of one of Britain's greatest Regency castle
An ambitious restoration campaign has transformed the ruins of one of Britain’s greatest Regency castles and brought it back to
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Toby Keel is Country Life's Digital Director, and has been running the website and social media channels since 2016. A former sports journalist, he writes about property, cars, lifestyle, travel, nature.
-
'The watch is Head Boy of men’s accessorising': Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey and Tom Chamberlin's Summer Season style secrets
When it comes to dressing for the Season, accessories will transform an outfit. Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey and Tom Chamberlin, both stylish summer-party veterans, offer some sage advice.
By Country Life Published
-
Lewis Hamilton, Claude Monet and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Country Life Quiz of the Day, April 29, 2025
Tuesday's Quiz of the Day looks back at Lewis Hamilton's first win and ponders on the meaning of greige.
By Toby Keel Published
-
About time: The fastest and slowest moving housing markets revealed
New research by Zoopla has shown where it's easy to sell and where it will take quite a while to find a buyer.
By Annabel Dixon Last updated
-
A wisteria clad hall built by one of the founders of the Bank of England
Come for the history of Old Hall. Stay for the interesting interiors.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
A gorgeous Scottish cottage with contemporary interiors on the bonny banks of the River Tay
Carnliath on the edge of Strathtay is a delightful family home set in sensational scenery.
By James Fisher Published
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country Life
We take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
By Toby Keel Published
-
380 acres and 90 bedrooms on the £25m private island being sold by one of Britain's top music producers
Stormzy, Rihanna and the Rolling Stones are just a part of the story at Osea Island, a dot on the map in the seas off Essex.
By Lotte Brundle Published
-
A home cinema, tasteful interiors and 65 acres of private parkland hidden in an unassuming lodge in Kent
North Lodge near Tonbridge may seem relatively simple, but there is a lot more than what meets the eye.
By James Fisher Published
-
A rare opportunity to own a family home on Vanbrugh Terrace, one of London's finest streets
This six-bedroom Victorian home sits right on the start line of the London Marathon, with easy access to Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
By James Fisher Published
-
A tale of everyday life as lived on Britain's most expensive street
Winnington Road in Hampstead has an average house price of £11.9 million. But what's it really like? Lotte Brundle went to find out.
By Lotte Brundle Last updated