Two beautiful houses have come to the market in 'Norfolk's friendliest village'
A magnificent Gothic vicarage and a delightful 1830s house have come up for sale in one of the friendliest village's in East Anglia – and therefore, probably, in all of Britain.

Whenever we hear a place described as the friendliest village – or town, or neighbourhood, or street, or city – in such-and-such an area, our ears prick up.
Not because of the idea that it might be true, of course. It's self-evidently as impossible to measure such things as it is to decide on whether the milk should go in before or after the tea.
But the assertion has plenty of value in terms of the state-of-mind of the local residents. If everyone feels that they live in a friendly place, they'll naturally act in a more friendly manner. And when everybody else around the place seems so friendly, each individual will, naturally, be more predisposed to be friendly themselves.
The end result is a positive feedback loop which creates an environment in which you can't open your front door without someone enquiring about the progress of your day, or the health of your budgerigar, or inviting you to try a bottle of their home-made ginger beer.
All of which is by way of introduction to Sedgeford, a village in Norfolk in the coastal AONB claimed by its residents to be one of the county's friendliest villages. And two separate options have now cropped up for those who wish to move to the village and bask in the warmth of positive human interactions for the rest of their days.
First up is the grade II-listed High House, on the market at £895,000 via Bedfords’ Burnham Market office. It's a fine-looking home which stands in grounds of four acres on the edge of the village, adjoining farmland to the south and east.
Built in about 1830 of pebble flint with Regency Gothic arches to the front, the house has been in the same ownership for more than 30 years (for why would you move, if when you live in Sedgeford?).
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.
It offers some 3,000sq ft of accommodation on two floors, and is probably in need of some updating – while you've got the workmen in, there are attached to the house a range of barns which could provide additional living space, subject to planning and listed-building consents.
For something on a grander scale, the Old Vicarage is on the market at £1.55m via both Bedfords and Strutt & Parker, which has almost 7,000sq ft of space. The house is approached along a quiet lane which leads past the church.
It's an 1840 property which was seriously dilapidated when the current owners took it on in 1991. They've renewed the fabric of the building and added rooms including an office, playroom and garage.
Now, there are six bedrooms and three main reception rooms, while the huge kitchen-breakfast room has plenty of storage, an AGA and access to a cellar.
The setting is delightful: just under one and a half acres of beautiful lawns, woodland and a formal garden with sunken pond and fountain.
The latter feature is accessed by French windows onto a patio – a spot which will no doubt be the centre of the housewarming party you throw to welcome all your friendly new neighbours.
The Old Vicarage is for sale via Bedfords and Strutt & Parker – see more details and pictures.
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
Credit: Alamy
Seven golden rules for selling a country house
With coronavirus now seemingly past its peak in Britain, we're tentatively beginning to look ahead to how life will get
What's the best colour front door for selling a house?
If you're re-painting your front door, you'll end up going round in circles — especially if you're thinking of selling soon.
Credit: Barsham Barms
Barsham Barns review: A perfect spot for a family break near the Norfolk coast
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.
-
London Craft Week: Rolls-Royce demonstrates the true beauty of real artisanship
A triptych of British nature scenes show that the difference between manufacturing and art is not as wide as we might think.
By James Fisher Published
-
‘I only ever want to be there when the circus is in town’: Everything you need to know about Cannes ahead of the famous Film Festival
The annual Cannes Film Festival kicks off today — and it’s a hectic as it is glamorous. Chris Cotonou breaks down exactly how to do it, from where to stay and eat, to what to do
By Country Life Published
-
No Mr Bond, we expect you to buy: Sean Connery's former villa on the French Riviera could be yours
Roc Fleuri Villa 'must be Nice's most desirable home', according to the agents.
By Lotte Brundle Last updated
-
Five Cotswold dream homes on the market from £3m to £18m, as seen in Country Life
This week we have a Cotswolds-themed rundown of some of the finest homes to come to the market in this beautiful part of England.
By Toby Keel Published
-
A modern masterpiece for sale in Cornwall that's just one mile from the beach
Hay House combines location, elegance and modern family living to create a special home for the 21st century.
By James Fisher Published
-
A rollercoaster, Bauhaus department store and Brutalist football stand top the latest Buildings at Risk List
The latest Buildings at Risk List from the Twentieth Century Society has been announced. Sunwin House department store and Blackpool’s Grand National Rollercoaster both feature.
By Jack Watkins Published
-
Lutyens's last masterpiece comes up for sale in Oxfordshire, with 27 bedrooms and a cricket pitch
Middleton Park in Middleton Stoney is a vast country home that must surely be among the nation's best
By James Fisher Published
-
A 10-bedroom manor house in the heart of the Cotswolds with all the trimmings
Waterton House sits on the edge of Ampney Crucis, and is as elegant as can be.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
A seven bedroom Buckinghamshire rectory that might be a little haunted
Grade II-listed the Old Rectory is a home of astounding charm and beauty, and comes with a friendly visitor.
By James Fisher Published
-
Over the Hills and Far Away: Robert Plant's Welsh hideaway is up for sale
Other notable residents of The Argoed in the Wye Valley include George Bernard Shaw and Beatrice Webb.
By James Fisher Published