WITH five bathrooms and an annexe, Graham and Dorothy Turner’s five-storey home is proving a bit too large for the newly-married couple. “I love living there but it’s too big for us,” said Graham, 66, a retired doctor, who used to teach medical students. “We only live on one or two floors and don’t use the top floor much, unless people visit.”
The house is on Carlton Terrace, one of Newcastle’s most impressive Victorian terraces which was once the main road linking Newcastle city centre and Jesmond. Built by John Dobson between 1840 and 1850, the street was redeveloped five years ago. That’s when Graham and his first wife bought the property. Sadly she died two years ago and didn’t get to enjoy the house for long. “We thought it would be quite fun,” said Graham, who has been retired for seven years. “The appeal of it was that we could be very much involved in how it was all done and of course, having it all done for you. “It has lovely, spacious rooms and a gorgeous drawing room. I’ve never lived in a house that’s so old with such high ceilings. I also love the split-level kitchen.” Bespoke fixtures and fittings of the house include marble flooring throughout the hallway and kitchen, wiring for a Bang & Olufsen home technology system, glass surfaces in the kitchen, travertine, marble and black slate in the bathrooms plus bespoke fitted bedroom furniture. The layout is extremely flexible and spread over five floors, which is handy when any of their 13 grandchildren come to visit. At street level, a vestibule and entrance hall with cloakroom lead to a dining room and large breakfasting kitchen with vaulted ceiling. From here a spiral staircase leads down to a lower ground floor where there’s a utility/second kitchen, garden room with French doors and cloakroom. The first floor has a 21ft 7in by 15ft 11in lounge, double bedroom and bathroom while the second floor has two double bedrooms, both with en-suite facilities. A fourth bedroom with en suite is on the third floor. There is an annexe with garage and self-contained flat above with open-plan lounge/kitchen and shower room. Despite the property’s size, Graham says it’s easy to maintain and heat. “It also has a low maintenance garden, which I’ve done this year,” said Graham. “It’s lovely for sitting outside in the summer.” Graham loves the location too. “It’s very quiet, considering it’s so close to the centre on Newcastle,” said Graham. “I love being able to walk to the shops or the theatre.” Having just returned from their honeymoon in the Caribbean, the pair hope to downsize to an apartment in Jesmond or Gosforth and Dorothy is also selling her three-bedroom bungalow in West Monkseaton. 15 Carlton Terrace, Newcastle, is for sale through Rook Matthews Sayers at offers over £900,000, tel: (0191) 281-6700. |