A private oasis within a market town. 

The words on Oakleigh House’s circular plaque aptly describe this unique and historic manor house in Swaffham: “The most stylish 18th century façade in town, with central pediment and Doric doorcase”. Oakleigh House was built in the Elizabethan times, with the Georgian façade being added around 1755 when the market place became fashionable. Oakleigh House is reputed to have been the home of John Chapman, the Swaffham pedlar who financed the erection of the north aisle of the church in 1454. Depicted in relief on the town sign, in statue form in the church, and his memory preserved in various establishments throughout the town.

As you step into Oakleigh House you are greeted with a magnificent reception hall with high ceilings, the original stone floor and a large centrally placed Palladian fireplace with log burner. We have our piano in the grand hall which makes for a wonderful room for musical soirees. Off from the hall is the library, now a comfortable stylish living room with huge B&B Italia sofas, a large television and an impressive log burner. Mirror opposite is the formal lounge with a glorious open fireplace, an ideal room for cocktails.

From the second hallway we have the first of the 10 bedrooms (the garden bedroom) which has direct access to the garden and the ground floor cloakroom.

Through the boot room you enter the dining hall with an enormous inglenook fireplace with log burner and an impressive dining table that can see 16 guests comfortably, we can extend the table allowing a maximum of 22 guests. The dining hall then leads directly into the kitchen which has been beautifully designed making catering the large events effortless.

The kitchen has a double Bertazzoni range gas/electric cooker, 2 wine chillers, 2 full sized Fischer Paykel fridge freezers, Miele dishwasher with quartz marble counter tops. Crockery and cutlery for 30 guests. From the kitchen you access one of the four gardens . this area is gravelled and ideal for BBQ’s with a large dining table and lounge furniture. All of the main gardens are illuminated at night making alfresco entertaining at night a joy.

From the second hallway we have 2 staircases, one being Georgian and the second being Elizabethan. Both these staircases lead up to the first and second floors where we have 9 further king sized bedrooms and 4 wet rooms, 2 of which with copper and nickel roll top baths.

The gardens are landscaped and offer beautiful and tranquil places to relax in with the added peace of mind of being entirely private and secure for both children and our four legged friends. An eight person hot tub makes a perfect spot to socialise with friends and admire the floodlit garden and house by night.

Swaffham

Swaffham is an attractive, family friendly Norfolk market town which sits at the very northern point of the Brecks, an area of outstanding tranquillity and beauty which stretches across Norfolk & Suffolk.

Swaffham’s fine Georgian buildings are a reminder that this town has long been a commercial centre – reputed to be a one-time favourite of Lord Nelson. Amongst its more famous sons was Howard Carter, the Egyptologist who discovered Tutankhamun, celebrated in the excellent town museum. There is a bustling Saturday Market. The church of St Peter and Paul, is one of the finest medieval churches with its magnificent double hammer-beam angel roof and carvings depicting the Pedlar of Swaffham, John Chapman.

To the south west is the wonderful Oxburgh Hall, a National Trust property. Travel north and visit Castle Acre, a Norman settlement. Here the Peddars Way National Trail crosses the picturesque River Nar. Castle Acre has one of the largest and best preserved Cluniac monastic sites in England (English Heritage). Scenes from Stephen Poliakoff’s film ‘Glorious 39’ were shot here. Swaffham has featured in other dramas such as Dad’s Army, Love on a Branch Line, Allo Allo and, most recently, Kingdom with Stephen Fry which featured Oakleigh House.

Local attractions, activities and entertainment include Westacre Theatre, Gooderstone Water Gardens, the Iceni Village, wild life and nature reserves, local gardens (National Garden Scheme), fishing, golf (Swaffham), walking and bird watching. In nearby Thetford Forest visit Go Ape, Grime's Graves, hire a bike and enjoy horse riding,

Swaffham is a great base to explore Norfolk and Suffolk, including the North Norfolk Coast, the Norfolk Broads and Norwich.

Several pubs all within a few minutes walking distance A post office
Restaurants and cafes
Waitrose / Tesco and Asda
Saturday farmers market and auction
3 hotels
Vets
2 Medical centres
13th century church of St. Peter & St. Paul

Location

Oakleigh House is located in the east of Norfolk just 14 miles from Downham Market which has a direct rail service to London Kings Cross (1hr 30mins)

King’s Lynn - 12 miles
Norwich - 31 miles
Castle Acre - 5 miles
Holkham beach - 25 miles
Sandringham - 15 miles

Amenities

Sleeps 22
11 king sized beds
White bedlinen and towels
Memory foam mattresses
4 wetroom/bathrooms
Ground floor cloakroom
4 large reception rooms
Fully equipped Kitchen dining room
Sonos / Netflix / Amazon
Log burners and open fires
Private parking directly to the front
Safe private stone flint walled gardens
Outside lighting

Garden hot tub for 8 people

Rates

£1650/night

2 night minimum stay
Cleaning fee £250

Refundable security deposit £1250

Absolutely stunning house!

“Stunning house set within beautiful tranquil gardens with the convenience of restaurants, pubs and shops on your door stop. We were simply blown away!”

— J.T.

Take a break from the hustle and bustle.