Little Regents Hall

Subtly tucked away in the centre of Sheringham, Little Regents Hall began life as a stable block in 1890.  Since then, it has been used as a community hall/central hub for local events and more recently as a permanent residency for the previous owners. Several local residents we have spoken to remember visiting the building for community events such as Brownies and town meetings. This history was evident in the raised stage area that still remained in the main room/hall prior to the renovation.

The site was left in a poor state of repair with a number of ugly extension attempts, boundary walls left to ruin, and overgrown vegetation. All of which detracted from the true character of the site. 

Huge credit has to go to the current owners who’s vision, attention to detail and hands on approach helped sympathetically transform the property into a functional and beautiful family home with bed and breakfast.

You enter the property through the only major exterior addition in the shape of an oak framed porch and once inside you are greeted by a cosy yet spacious centrepiece to the property as you step into an open plan communal area with double height ceiling.  The unique window height and handmade staircase draw your eye up to the newly added first floor and its exposed link walkway leading to the generous living quarters that house two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a snug area hidden neatly between the eaves.

Externally, there are a number of thoughtful touches that the clients went the extra mile to incorporate such as the rebuild of the boundary wall using the original bricks, the installation of a new gate using the original oversize steel hinge.  A hand built shed/woodstore using the roof trusses that were removed.  Reclaimed stained glass windows.  The use of green tiles on the threshold that came from the original chimney surround that was removed.  And lastly, the discovery of the original Victorian ‘chocolate block’ floor bricks that would have formed the stable enclosures.  Blocks that were in remarkable condition given their age and previous use.  It is also interesting to note the addition of bat holes in the new ridge tiles that were relined with felt from the original roof as bats are less likely to occupy a space with new felt in.

External structural additions were minimal but the removal of the front and rear extensions, cleaning and reworking of exterior brick, a complete re-roof, and a significant amount of groundworks, have helped restore the property to its former glory.  The transformation efforts were no less strenuous internally with a huge clean-up operation, multiple complex structural alterations to completely rework the layout and allow for the addition of a first floor without effecting the existing roofline.  Thankfully, the tasteful fit and finish chosen by the client beautifully completes the look, allowing this building to be enjoyed for many more years to come.  And all just in time for their daughter’s wedding which took place the weekend after they moved in!