THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY
Looking good after more than 350 years – one of the oldest houses in Duns Anyone who has a penchant for very old houses will love Mansefield, a substantial detached house in Duns that is steeped in history and dates back to 1648 - the year in which the Scots under the command of the Duke of Hamilton were defeated by Cromwell’s New Model Army at the Battle of Preston, while in Ayrshire, the Covenanters defeated the Scottish Royalists at the Battle of Mauchline Muir. The same year was also marked by the second Battle of Stirling. Amazingly, this unique property, which is thought to be one of the very earliest houses in the town, has remained in the same family for almost a century. And if walls could speak, Mansefield would surely have a tale or two to tell, as the ground floor drawing room was used as the original telephone exchange for a number of years and would have been privy to all the local gossip of the day. Mansefield stands in beautiful private gardens that are enclosed by hedging and age-old moss-covered stone walls and include an extensive range of outbuildings, double garage, workshop and a carport. There is a pleasing symmetry to this grand old house, which has a distinctive black and white entrance with roses climbing around the door. Inside, the accommodation is on three levels and although the interior as it stands is very dated and requires modernising, the property has been well maintained in the past and has recently had the electrical system upgraded.
Look past the decor and what you see is some beautiful original features that deserve to be retained for future generations, including window shutters on deeply recessed windows, a magnificent ornately carved wooden fire surround with tiled insert and marble hearth in the living room, Adam-style fireplaces and open fires elsewhere, and a beautiful curved staircase with wooden banister and balustrade. The rooms are all spacious and nicely proportioned and include a dual aspect living room with decorative cornice, beautiful fireplace, wood-panelled walls to dado level, and a glazed door to the garden. The family/dining room overlooks the front garden, while the 23ft dining kitchen is fitted with a range of wall and base units and has pantry cupboards, a gas fire and doors to both the rear hall and garden. There is also a sizable ground floor double bedroom (could be a third reception room) with a fireplace and inset gas fire and double doors to a concealed cloakroom with WC and wash hand basin. Upstairs is a bathroom, three double bedrooms (two with wash hand basins and two with storage), one of which was formerly an upstairs drawing room and still has an elegant fireplace and open fire, shower room, and a fifth bedroom with a partially combed ceiling that is currently fitted out as a bed-sitting room with a cooker and sink unit and traditional fireplace with gas fire.
The house is situated within walking distance of the town centre, high school and primary school – and ideally placed for commuting north to Edinburgh or south to Berwick-upon-Tweed and Newcastle. Mansefield is a wonderful old house and could be the most amazing family home for someone who is prepared to invest in its future and reap the benefits.
Mansefield Easter Street, Duns In Region of £275,000 Details on page 26
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