Character Norfolk House Builder & Barn Restorer

Recently converted barns and buildings
by Michael McNamara in North Norfolk

Barns at South Creake

This dramatic set of five barns is in the middle of the countryside overlooking ancient meadows.

This middle barn has a mezzanine drawing room with views over the meadows, and a dining hall open to the roof. There is an annex with two bedrooms/study office area for the increasing numbers of people in Norfolk who want to combine working and living space.

The end barn shown similarly is divided into two large sections so it can be used for living and working, keeping the two very separate.

This single storey Grade II listed barn was the last in the group of five barns to be completed.

Seen here with the artist’s impression, it shows what can be done with a barn which has a limited amount of outside space.  By creating a courtyard, Michael ensured a much larger private outside enclosed area, including windows on the opposite side of the barn to take advantage of the views.

Park Farm Barns restored in 2006 and 2007

Each of the barns in any group of barns restored by Michael McNamara is entirely different in terms of shape and space; this is never more clearly demonstrated than with these two barns in Park Farm. They both have outstanding views over park and farm land, and are Grade II listed Dutch gabled barns, one with a stepped gable, and are made of brick and flint with pantiled roofs. The barns were built extremely robustly, with foundations deeper than those of most modern houses.

Cley next the Sea

This was a major project which included the renovation of Cley Hall and the development of three barns.

Syderstone

This horseshoe shaped barn was originally a stockyard where cattle were corralled in bad weather. It is a large open plan barn with full length French doors opening onto the courtyard.

Barns at Langham

Three of the barns, each very different, restored by Michael McNamara in the heart of the village of Langham.

Houses at Langham

Michael renovated this 18th century cottage on the left and built the new cottage adjacent to it on The Green.

North Creake

Each of these three barns presented its own particular challenge but this was overcome and some outstanding bans were completed by Michael McNamara.

Weybourne

This was unusual in that there was a mixture of small terraced barns originally linked with larger barns.

Working to a brief to build in the vernacular, Michael McNamara built the additional terrace houses in sympathy with the smaller barns so successfully that they have been mistaken for renovated cottages.

Houghton

The fruit cage being constructed in green oak in the vegetable garden at Houghton Hall at a height of over 8 metres.