THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY
Castlehill has one of the best locations in Jedburgh – and easily the most impressive neighbour Built in the 1700s, the house stands in three-quarters of an acre adjoining Jedburgh Castle Jail, whose sandstone walls form part of the property’s boundary. It’s a setting that benefits from having no through vehicular traffic, as Galahill peters out into a bridleway, the starting point for a number of popular walks. Location aside, the house has been extended in recent years and has been carefully modernised in keeping with its age and character, while the fully enclosed garden is an absolute delight and includes an established orchard, productive vegetable garden, greenhouse and south-facing patio. Sally Leslie and her husband Richard bought the property 14 years ago, having been smitten by the garden and the peacefulness and privacy of the setting. “Being on a hill, the views from here are also wonderful, looking right across the town and beyond. And having the castle as a backdrop is quite a cachet,” she says. In their time here the couple have modernised what was a very dated interior, which included installing a new kitchen. More notable, they renovated and extended into an adjoining byre, giving it a new roof and French door access to the garden, they turned a previously unused area into a large and attractive living room with space for a spacious shower room.
The layout comprises 17ft entrance hallway leading into a corridor with utility/laundry space off. The main living room, formerly the barn, is a light, bright space with the addition of four Velux windows set into the partially vaulted ceiling. There is also a window to the side, plus French windows opening on to the patio and garden beyond. As a focal point, the room has a Living Flame gas log stove (LPG) under an oak mantel made by a local craftsman. Off the hall, the sitting/family room has an inset Living Flame fire and traditional wood fireplace. Also on the ground floor is a spacious dining kitchen, under-stair pantry/storage cupboard, bedroom four/office and shower room. Upstairs, past a window overlooking the garden and castle wall, are three good-sized bedrooms, all with partially combed ceilings (two also with storage cupboards) and a recently re-fitted contemporary-style all white bathroom with ceramic floor and wall tiles. The dining kitchen, which is accessed from the sitting room, is well equipped with wood-effect wall and base units and includes an antique pine wall-mounted cabinet with glass doors.
Appliances – fridge freezer, dishwasher and slot-in mains gas cooker – are included in the sale. Off the kitchen is a useful porch. Glazed on two sides and with a door to the driveway, it has a ceramic tiled floor and storage unit on one side – an ideal place to discard boots, shoes and coats. While the house ticks all the boxes in terms of family accommodation, tasteful predominantly neutral decoration and is in move-in condition throughout, Castlehill’s undoubted star attraction is the garden, which has something for everyone. Safe for children and pets, there are landscaped sections with herbaceous borders and shrubs, a sheltered seating area, two paved patios for outdoor dining and barbecues, grassy play areas, productive vegetable beds, greenhouse, summerhouse, mature orchard, and a detached timber garage and monoblocked driveway. History and character combine with modern comforts to make this a unique property in a town justifiably known as the ‘Jewel of the Borders’.
Castlehill Galahill, Jedburgh Asking Price £300,000 Details on page 20
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