THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY
Page 13
A detached house in the picturesque village of Town Yetholm that will have special appeal to walkers
Situated approximately seven miles east of Kelso, in the foothills of the Cheviots, Yetholm is unusual in that it comprises two very picturesque villages, Town Yetholm and Kirk Yetholm, which lie close together but on either side of the River Bowmont. ‘Yetholm’ means ‘Gate Town’, which is apt given that it is only a mile or so from the Scotland/England border. Nowadays it is arguably better known for its historic connection to the Yetholm Gypsies, and as a place frequented by walkers either starting or finishing the 268-mile Pennine Way. Yetholm is also on the less arduous 62-mile St Cuthbert’s Way, extending from Melrose to Lindisfarne – and it will shortly be the start of the new 373-mile Scottish National Trail, which officially opens later this year. Yetholm is an active community with good local facilities, including a primary school and shops. It is also a very attractive place to live, with an unusually high number of thatched properties. Patrick and Jenny Angel moved into their detached C-listed house in Town Yetholm 12 years ago, having spotted it as they drove through the village on their way to view another house – which never took place.
They both knew immediately this spacious property was an ideal home for them and for visiting family and friends, while the location was also perfect for their outdoor interests. The house occupies a fairly central position in the village but enjoys a great deal of privacy being set well back from the main street behind beech hedges that enclose the front garden, which is part paved for additional parking and also houses a detached garage with cupboards, shelving and work benches. Thought to have been built around 200 years ago, sympathetic upgrading has ensured the survival of many original period features – in fact, the Home Report survey lists all criteria for the house as Category 1, (ie no attention needed), which for a house of this age is quite remarkable. The accommodation comprises a large and welcoming hallway with carefully restored original woodwork. Off the hall (which includes a cloakroom facility), the living room extends the full width from front to back and has French doors opening on to a rear patio and garden beyond.
1 Mount View Town Yetholm, Kelso
Planning permission has been granted to erect a conservatory on this site, using the existing French doors for internal access. The family/dining room is another sizable public room with more than enough space to combine both uses. It leads into a modern kitchen and adjoining utility room. A carpeted staircase leads up to two unexpectedly large double bedrooms, one of which has a pedestal washbasin and built-in storage/wardrobes, making it an attractive guest room. Also on the first floor, the bathroom has a traditional white suite and cast-iron bath with mixer shower over. There is also a surprising extra. A pull-down ladder off the landing gives access to a partly floored attic space, which in turn leads down into a ‘secret’ room with a feature window, an ideal space for use as a study, guest use or play area. This lovely home has many notable features. The focal point in the living room is a cast iron multi-fuel stove with a stone hearth and black slate mantel; the dining/family room also has a multi-fuel stove, this one housed in a wooden surround.
Guide Price £197,000 Details on page 33
The kitchen, refurbished in 2007, has Shaker-style, light oak units and Corian work-surfaces - a green, oil fired Stanley range cooker with a double oven and cast iron hobs also provides programmable central heating and hot water. This is backed up by an electric stainless steel fan oven, ceramic hob and extractor fan. The kitchen and utility both have black stone-effect tiled floors, stainless steel sink units, and plumbing and power points for a variety of appliances. The attractive rear garden, which looks to the Cheviot foothills and can be accessed from both the utility and living room, has several paved areas positioned to catch the sun at different times of the day. The garden also has a small pond, a level lawn, and well-stocked borders. There is also a summerhouse, greenhouse and integrated shed, ideal for garden equipment. Patrick and Jenny are now relocating to be closer to family, and as they are not purchasing another property immediately, there is no onward chain - which makes this an ideal opportunity for someone else to enjoy all that the house and surrounding countryside has to offer.