A striking Grade I-listed townhouse that novelist Norah Lofts once called ‘home’ is up for sale with a £2.75m price tag.
Northgate House, in the heart of the historic Suffolk market town of Bury St Edmunds, is steeped in history. The six-bedroom property was built mostly in the 18th century. But it sits on top of stone-arched medieval cellars, while some of the roof timbers are thought to date back to the 17th century or earlier.
Lofts is believed to have lived at Northgate House from 1955 until 1983, when she died. The novellist penned more than 40 historical novels as well as short stories, biographies, children’s books and other non-fiction, according to Great British Life. Her historical fiction, which includes the Suffolk trilogy, was often inspired by the local area.
In recent years, Northgate House has been renovated and brought bang up to date, with fresh and modern interiors. But it still has bucketloads of period charm including a three-storey Georgian entrance porch, full height sash windows, detailed cornicing, wood pannelled walls, and open fireplaces. The decorative ceiling in the drawing room is a real head-turner.
Downstairs, the bright, well-proportioned rooms include a double aspect reception hall, drawing room, dining room and kitchen. There’s also a music room, cloakroom, snug, boot room, and laundry room with all the mod cons.
The grand staircase leads up to the main bedroom and ensuite as well as a further five bedrooms, two dressing rooms, four bathrooms and a lounge.
There’s plenty of scope for the next owner of Northgate House to put their stamp on it. The two dressing rooms can easily be converted into bedrooms. And there’s also a wing of the house, which has been let out as a separate flat in the past. It currently comprises a lounge, kitchen and shower room.
The sprawling property spans nearly 10,000 sq ft in total.
Peter Ogilvie, property agent at Savills, which is selling the property, says: ‘This is a truly amazing town house and certainly one of the very best I have seen in my career. It has been restored and renovated with exceptional flair superbly blending period charm with contemporary style.’
Northgate House sits in a 0.58-acre parcel of land. Its mature, walled garden is carefully landscaped to include pathways, flower beds, a paved terrace and kitchen garden. There’s also that all-important storage shed and parking for four cars.
The house is on Northgate Street, a stone’s throw from the award-winning 14-acre Abbey Gardens (on the site of the former Benedictine abbey, the Abbey of St Edmund) and St Edmundsbury Cathedral. It’s also close to the A14, with easy connections to the likes of Newmarket - the home of horseracing - as well as Cambridge and Stowmarket.
Northgate House is currently on the market via Savills with a guide price of £2.75 million — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
-
‘City gents in bowler hats beat on our shop windows shouting “immoral!” and “disgusting!”’: The rise (and rise) of the mini skirtWhat the mini skirt lacked in length it more than made up for in meaning.
-
Five years, 10,400 miles and a boatload of stories: Mark Ashley-Miller on the Country Life PodcastMark Ashley-Miller, the man who sailed to every harbour in Britain and Ireland, joins the Country Life Podcast.
-
A 500-year-old cottage in West Sussex that's as beautiful as you could ever hope to see, with a pool ringed by flowers, stables and a croquet lawnJames Fisher was in need of some balm for the soul when he came across Woodshill House.
-
A Clarkson's Farm of one's own: Five properties with just enough farmland for you and your family, from under £1 millionMoving to the country is one thing; moving to the country and being able to grow and rear all your own food is another level entirely, and all these properties offer exactly that.
-
Six superb homes, from chocolate box cottages to grand Tudor mansions, as seen in Country LifeOur regular round-up includes charming home counties houses and superb grand country house in Ireland.
-
A billionaire's thatched cottage is for sale in Surrey, once owned by the oil magnate J. Paul GettyChestnut Cottage is a joyous little home — albeit one with the most unusual bedrooms to acreage to price balances we've ever seen. Toby Keel takes a look inside.
-
Medieval Italian? 19th century French? 16th century German? You're spoilt for choice if you're looking to buy a gorgeous continental castleFrom hills of Italy to a Bavarian palace, Toby Keel takes a look at three of the finest castles for sale across Europe today.
-
How to buy a house at auctionBuying at auction can mean you secure your dream property for a bargain price, but preparation is the key
-
The homes of two 1980s TV icons are both up for sale at the same timeThe houses where Bob Monkhouse and Sir Terry Wogan spent decades of their lives are currently on the market. Annabel Dixon takes a look.
-
Living on the edge? A lighthouse for sale on a clifftop on one of the most remote islands in BritainBressay Lighthouse was built by the father and uncle of the 'Treasure Island' author.
