Happisburgh may be pronounced “Hayesbrough”, but the name of this Arts and Crafts mansion which stands in ten acres on the east Norfolk coast, still seems to spell content for buyers. The house - which went on sale only last month - is now under offer at £1.1million. Kelling Hall, near Holt, north Norfolk, pictured far right, another house of the same date in the “butterfly” style, has also swiftly found a buyer - at £25 million - but then it does come with nearly 2,000 acres stretching all the way to the sea. All this proves that exceptional country houses in pristine condition will sell whatever the general state of the market.

Rarity value is also another important factor. Only three houses in Norfolk were built in the butterfly style - like an “X” but with an extended hyphen in the middle, resembling the shape of the insect.

The design of Happisburgh Manor - which evokes comparison with Cotswolds manor houses - was devised by Detmar Blow, a talented architect who was inspired by John Ruskin. He brought in Cotswolds stonemasons to execute his vision.

The interest shown in Happisburgh also indicates confidence that the Government will commit funds to halt sea erosion on this part of the East Coast. The sea has already taken huge bites out of the fields above the beach several hundred yards to the south of the house. Savills, the estate agent that is handling the sale, says that “due to public outcry the Government has agreed to spend up to £100million reinforcing the sea defences”.

It should also be noted that as long ago as 1836 it was forecast that Happisburgh would be “engulfed in the ocean” by the mid-20th century. If that has not happened yet it is partly because the village, and its spectacular church, is on higher ground. Further reassurance comes in a 1912 magazine article relating that “a huge raft of concrete forms the foundation both of the Happisburgh house and the terrace”. The present owners of Happisburgh Manor, Norman and Stella Ashton, who are moving to Madeira, have invested time and money putting the house in good structural order. The roof has been handsomely rethatched and the flints and beech pebbles used on the outside walls have been reset in a warm buttercoloured lime mortar. There is a wealth of Arts and Crafts detail with chequer brickwork and knapped flint over the entrance. All the lintels of windows and doors are lovingly formed of several layers of slender red roof tiles. The metal casement windows remain in outstanding condition.

The content promised in the name of the house can particularly be found in its grounds. Immediately to the north of the house is an attractive stretch of woodland garden ablaze with snowdrops and bluebells in spring. To the south, steps descend to a walled garden, where your eye is caught by a red-and-white striped lighthouse that still flashes out to sea.

Fast facts

What you get: Grade II*

Arts andCrafts masterpiece with seven main bedrooms, six secondary ones and ten acres. In all, 6,817 sq ft.

Where it is: Happisburgh, Norfolk, eight miles from Wroxham, nine miles from Cromer and 18 miles from Norwich.

Price: £1.1 million through Savills, 01603 229229, savills.co.uk

Times recommends

• Second homes: credit crunch casualty or money-spinner?
• How I built my own sliding house
• Top 10 incentives for house buyers