Whenever we hear a place described as the friendliest village – or town, or neighbourhood, or street, or city – in such-and-such an area, our ears prick up.
Not because of the idea that it might be true, of course. It's self-evidently as impossible to measure such things as it is to decide on whether the milk should go in before or after the tea.
But the assertion has plenty of value in terms of the state-of-mind of the local residents. If everyone feels that they live in a friendly place, they'll naturally act in a more friendly manner. And when everybody else around the place seems so friendly, each individual will, naturally, be more predisposed to be friendly themselves.
The end result is a positive feedback loop which creates an environment in which you can't open your front door without someone enquiring about the progress of your day, or the health of your budgerigar, or inviting you to try a bottle of their home-made ginger beer.
All of which is by way of introduction to Sedgeford, a village in Norfolk in the coastal AONB claimed by its residents to be one of the county's friendliest villages. And two separate options have now cropped up for those who wish to move to the village and bask in the warmth of positive human interactions for the rest of their days.
First up is the grade II-listed High House, on the market at £895,000 via Bedfords’ Burnham Market office. It's a fine-looking home which stands in grounds of four acres on the edge of the village, adjoining farmland to the south and east.
Built in about 1830 of pebble flint with Regency Gothic arches to the front, the house has been in the same ownership for more than 30 years (for why would you move, if when you live in Sedgeford?).
It offers some 3,000sq ft of accommodation on two floors, and is probably in need of some updating – while you've got the workmen in, there are attached to the house a range of barns which could provide additional living space, subject to planning and listed-building consents.
For something on a grander scale, the Old Vicarage is on the market at £1.55m via both Bedfords and Strutt & Parker, which has almost 7,000sq ft of space. The house is approached along a quiet lane which leads past the church.
It's an 1840 property which was seriously dilapidated when the current owners took it on in 1991. They've renewed the fabric of the building and added rooms including an office, playroom and garage.
Now, there are six bedrooms and three main reception rooms, while the huge kitchen-breakfast room has plenty of storage, an AGA and access to a cellar.
The setting is delightful: just under one and a half acres of beautiful lawns, woodland and a formal garden with sunken pond and fountain.
The latter feature is accessed by French windows onto a patio – a spot which will no doubt be the centre of the housewarming party you throw to welcome all your friendly new neighbours.
The Old Vicarage is for sale via Bedfords and Strutt & Parker – see more details and pictures.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
Credit: Alamy
Seven golden rules for selling a country house
With coronavirus now seemingly past its peak in Britain, we're tentatively beginning to look ahead to how life will get
What's the best colour front door for selling a house?
If you're re-painting your front door, you'll end up going round in circles — especially if you're thinking of selling soon.
Credit: Barsham Barms
Barsham Barns review: A perfect spot for a family break near the Norfolk coast
-
From California to Cornwall: How surfing became a cornerstone of Cornish cultureA new exhibition at Cornwall's National Maritime Museum celebrates a century of surf culture and reveals how the country became a global leader in surf innovation and conservation.
-
Jaecoo 7 SHS: Can you really get a luxury SUV for £35,000?The Chinese automaker Jaecoo lands on UK shores with the 7. We take it for a spin around Scotland and the north of England to see if the hype is real.
-
18 magnificent homes for sale from £550k to £20 million, as seen in Country LifeFrom a charming thatched cottage to a 300-acre estate with its own vineyard, here's our pick of places to come to the market via Country Life of late.
-
If heaven is on earth, it might be in this home with a converted chapel that is now a swimming pool5 Wood Barton Town House is part of an exclusive 80-acre development in Devon that also comes with fishing rights on the River Avon and four bedrooms.
-
The sounds of spring and stained glass in an Arts-and-Crafts masterpiece in DorsetWith 35 acres, more than 10 bedrooms, a swimming pool and tennis court, Winterfield has it all.
-
An eight-bedroom wonder in East Sussex where the outdoors are an adventureThe interiors of Old Middleton are pretty good too.
-
A lakeside farmhouse on the market in the beautiful heart of PembrokeshireA lake, streams, 15 acres and five bedrooms. Rogershook might have it all.
-
An idyllic countryside home that's light, spacious and comes with a Grade II-listed follyHagg House is a gorgeous family home that just happens to have a miniature castle in the gardens. Annabel Dixon explains more.
-
A historic villa for sale on the Via Nomentana worthy of Rome's rich historyThree floors, lots of balconies, and a private garden in one of Rome's loveliest neighbourhoods.
-
Eight bedrooms of unlisted Edwardian elegance with sweeping views of SomersetAshton House sits near the market town of Chard and comes with a wealth of amenities both inside and out.
