Norwich: The Silk House on Cow Hill is for sale for £1.175m

The Silk House is Grade II listed and well-known for its brightly painted exterior and commanding position on Cow Hill, near the Norwich Lanes.

The current owners bought the property three years ago, in the middle of lockdown, and say it ticked all their boxes. “It can be described in three words,” says owner Lily Goulder.

“Historic, central and wow! We loved the location too – the whole of the city is on our doorstep.”

The property is one of the most photographed in Norwich (Image: Sowerbys)

The property was built around 1680 and was originally home to a Huguenot silk merchant from France – hence its name. 

The ground floor housed the business’ busy workshops, and the merchant lived above, part of the community of immigrants – then known as ‘strangers’ – who settled in the city and brought their immense skill with them.

“Local wool from Worstead was sent overseas and exchanged for silk, which was subsequently worked into extraordinary garments right here within the silk house,” explains Lily.

One of the highlights of the property is a hand-painted stained glass window, which depicts a Norwich lion riding astride a skein of silk (Image: Sowerbys)

Despite its age, the interiors inside The Silk House are very modern (Image: Sowerbys)

One of the house’s most fascinating features, even today, is an original, hand-painted stained glass window which depicts a Norwich lion riding astride a skein of silk, which is thought to have been the merchant’s logo – an early example of commercial branding.

In the 1800s, Lily says The Silk House was used as a school, a lodging house, chapel and even political headquarters during the First World War.

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In more recent years, it has been the subject of careful restoration, transforming it into a home that, as Lily describes it, is “amongst the most noteworthy" of city residences.

There is a sitting room on the ground floor with further living space above (Image: Sowerbys)

The ground-floor sitting room enjoys views towards St Giles church (Image: Sowerbys)

Today, the home offers a large reception hall and sitting room on the ground floor, from which you can see views of the neighbouring church.

On the first floor there is an open-plan kitchen, dining and living space, which is ideal for entertaining or family life and features exposed timbers, ornate panelling and further views. 

A large island in the centre of the kitchen houses a wealth of elegant cabinetry and is the focal point of the room. 

There is an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area on the first floor (Image: Sowerbys)

The kitchen is light and airy with a large island and breakfast bar in the centre (Image: Sowerbys)

Off the landing, to the rear, there is a small cloakroom and a study – although it could be used as an additional bedroom, if required.

The remaining bedrooms are located on the second floor, including the primary bedroom with its luxurious en suite shower room, and two further doubles which are well-served by a family bathroom.

READ MORE: City home with courtyard and rooftop garden hits the market

In addition to the main house, the sale of The Silk House also includes a completely self-contained one-bedroom annexe, which has been run as a highly successful holiday let.

The property has a patio terrace and lawn at the rear, as well as a separate one-bedroom annexe (Image: Sowerbys)

Also included in the sale is a self-contained one-bedroom annexe, which has its own living space, kitchen and bedroom (Image: Sowerbys)

“We love the fact that the accommodation is so versatile and comes with a completely separate annexe, known affectionately as the Old School House,” says Lily.

The space offers an open-plan reception room, bedroom and shower room, all on the ground floor, and is every bit as stylish and as well-finished as the main house. Upstairs, the loft has been converted into an occasional bedroom or playroom and is accessed by a set of space-saving steps.

The Old School House is dependent but still attached to the main house, and could be integrated into the main layout, if desired, to create over 3,300 sq ft. However, Lily says it also maintains an “excellent identity” as its own dwelling, as it comes with separate access to the street. 

The self-contained annexe provides a good-sized double bedroom and has previously been run as a successful holiday let (Image: Sowerbys)

And it would work equally well for multi-generational living, Lily says, as it shares a large garden with the main property.

“As The Silk House was originally a home with a workspace, so it could be again,” says Lily. “The layout has been designed to offer this option, perhaps for an artist with a studio. The possibilities are endless for the next chapter of this magnificent home.”

The location, too, is a real pull. “You’re near the picturesque St Giles and the popular Norwich Lanes but far enough away from main roads and nightlife that you don’t get noise disturbance or motor pollution,” Lily says.

The property looks out over St Giles church, with City Hall and the rest of the Norwich skyline in the distance (Image: Sowerbys)

There is a courtyard garden at the rear (Image: Sowerbys)

They love sitting in the window seats, watching the world go by, and because the church and streets are well lit into the evening, “you don’t have to stop when darkness falls.”

For those who work in Norwich, the house also offers a short commute on foot. Permit parking is available for residents, as well as for visitors, with two road spaces.

For more information contact Sowerbys.

PROPERTY FACTS
Cow Hill, Norwich
Guide price: £1,175,000
Sowerbys, 01603 761441
www.sowerbys.com