WHETHER countryside walks are your thing, or you prefer to be in the hub of the city centre, Neil Harrison’s beautiful stone-built cottage offers the very best of both worlds. Built in 1792 as a farmhouse, the property is one of the oldest around Medomsley, Country Durham. Neil and his family fell in love with its traditional charm and snapped the cottage up 13 years ago.
He said: “I just loved the overall look of the house. Fortunately the house remained practically untouched and all of its original features were intact. We added more period fireplaces which we got from salvage, and uncovered the inglenook which was behind a false wall. “We also loved the size of the rooms. The smallest of the four bedrooms was larger than the biggest bedroom in our previous home. The walls are extremely thick too and as wide as two feet at some windows. “The house is full of quirky features which we loved, including curved walls.” With a growing family, Neil set about bringing the property into the 21st Century, yet remaining sympathetic to the historic features of the building. “We added the conservatory to provide us with extra living space and converted the loft to create a huge master bedroom with en suite. We’ve created a tasteful blend of old and new.” Accommodation includes an entrance hallway with stripped wood flooring and cloakroom, and dining room with sash window and inglenook fireplace housing a multi-fuel stove. The large lounge also has sash windows, beamed ceiling, and stone fireplace housing a living flame gas fire. “My favourite room has to be the dining room. I love the inglenook fireplace. The front of the house has a real sunny aspect and is lovely and light and airy,” said Neil. There is a breakfasting kitchen with Belfast sink and double Rangemaster cooker, as well as a large conservatory with wooden flooring and French doors to the gardens. Upstairs there are three bedrooms, two with cast iron fireplaces, and family bathroom with Victorian-style cast iron roll top bath. The stunning master bedroom, housed within the loft conversion, is a particular feature of the property. The room features four double glazed Velux windows, wooden flooring, study, and en suite bathroom with separate shower cubicle. “In contrast to the period features downstairs, the master bedroom suite is quite contemporary,” said Neil. The property benefits from a garage, gravelled garden/courtyard at the rear, and lawned garden at the front with pond and mature trees. There is also a large communal garden with assorted mature trees and shrubs. Despite being in a tranquil spot, surrounded by open countryside, the property is in fact just 12 minutes drive to the MetroCentre. Neil said: “The house is in a great semi-rural location. For those who like walking, you can be out in the countryside in a matter of minutes. You also see lots of wildlife, like deer. Yet for those who want to be near the cities, the house is really convenient for Durham and Newcastle. Medomsley is a lovely friendly village. They are building a new school and there’s a couple of nice pubs too. “We love the house, and will be really sad to leave, but the children have grown up and left home and it’s just too big now.” 3 West Farm Court, Manor Road, Medomsley, is for sale through Ross Estates at offers over £339,950, tel: (0191) 488-6080. | 
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