A Grade II listed property with links to a decorated military leader is for sale in Hingham, near Attleborough, at a guide price of £1.25 million.

Believed to date from the 1700s, Southernwood House is marked with a blue plaque to commemorate Field Marshal Lord Ironside, who owned the property from 1937 until his death in 1959. He is also buried nearby.

The house is marked with a blue plaque commemorating Lord IronsideThe house is marked with a blue plaque commemorating Lord Ironside (Image: Savills) Lord Ironside had a distinguished military career spanning both World Wars. At the beginning of the Second World War, he was chief of the imperial general staff defending Calais and freeing up the escape route to Dunkirk.

He was promoted to field marshal in 1940 and commanded the British home defence forces.

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He is also understood to be the inspiration for secret agent Richard Hannay, the main character in John Buchan’s 1915 novel ‘The Thirty-Nine Steps’.

Tom Clayton, of selling agent Savills, described Southernwood House as “a gem of a house” with “a fascinating history and an important place in the local community”.

The Georgian townhouse has been extended over the years and offers characterful accommodation totalling over 3,800 square feet.

The drawing room features an inglenook fireplace with woodburning stoveThe drawing room features an inglenook fireplace with woodburning stove (Image: Savills) On the ground floor is a spacious drawing room with Inglenook fireplace and woodburning stove, formal dining room, study, two WCs, utility room, shower room and kitchen/diner.

There is also a family room, which could be used as a snug or playroom.

The kitchen has been incorporated into the property from former outbuildings, linked via a glass walkway and contrasting with the older aesthetics of the house.

Savills said: “This space has given the house a more enjoyable view into the outside space, as well as creating a social and practical kitchen so sought after by homeowners today. It even features a hidden wine cellar.”

The kitchen/dinerThe kitchen/diner (Image: Savills) A glass walkway links the kitchen to the rest of the houseA glass walkway links the kitchen to the rest of the house (Image: Savills) On the first floor are four bedrooms served by two family bathrooms off the landing.

Two further bedrooms on the second floor offer ample space for a large family or entertaining guests.

One of the six bedroomsOne of the six bedrooms (Image: Savills) The property is set in grounds approaching an acre, providing generous space and privacy for a town centre setting.

Areas of interest including a private courtyard, vegetable gardens, wildflower meadows and sections of lawn.

The gardens offers plenty of privacyThe gardens offers plenty of privacy (Image: Savills) There are various areas of interest including vegetable gardensThere are various areas of interest including vegetable gardens (Image: Savills) The current owners have also built an office/summer house in the grounds which could be used to work from home, as an artist’s studio/hobby room or just a pleasant spot to enjoy the gardens.

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There is separate gated access from the gardens to the street, plus a collection of outbuildings and a garage.

The current owners have built an office/summer house in the groundsThe current owners have built an office/summer house in the grounds (Image: Savills) Southernwood House is located in the centre of Hingham, which is known for its array of architecturally appealing townhouses bordering the marketplace.

Amenities include a selection of independent shops, as well as a pub, doctor’s surgery, primary school and active bus service.

The town is within easy reach of Wymondham and Attleborough, the latter providing a mainline train service to London via Cambridge.

For more information, contact Savills.

PROPERTY FACTS

Southernwood House, Hingham
Guide price: £1,250,000
Savills, 01603 229229
savills.co.uk