THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY
A particularly fine Victorian house is one of Duns’ best-kept secrets Built in 1850, Marchcroft is a substantial B-listed villa in a tucked away setting close to the market square in the centre of Duns – so tucked away, in fact, that many local people are not aware of its existence. But that’s not the only unusual feature of this property. If there was a category for ‘almost detached’ it would fit the bill as there is a link at the back to another equally sizable property – and therein lies a tale, which may indeed be just that. According to local information, the mansion house was built by a wealthy gentleman as a home for his two sons, who later fell out and consequently divided the house into two properties. Susan Lindsey and her late husband bought the house five years ago. “We just loved everything about it, despite its rather dated interior,” she says. Now, having been given a major facelift, which included installing a new kitchen and bathroom and redecorating throughout, the interior is everything a house of this age and character should be – elegant, spacious and refined, with beautiful period features and a colour palette of soft classic shades. With an understated facade that looks more Georgian than Victorian in style, the two-storey layout includes an entrance vestibule and large L-shaped hall, drawing room, dining room, dining kitchen and rear hall leading to a cloakroom, double bedroom with windows to the front and side, and en suite wet room with non-slip flooring and wet wall panelling.
As the rear hall has external access, this part of the house could easily become a separate granny wing or guest suite. An elegant staircase with ornate balustrade leads up to the first floor landing, off which are three further double bedrooms (two with fitted wardrobes), a beautifully re-fitted family bathroom, and a study/single-size fourth bedroom, which has a connecting door to bedroom three and could therefore also be ideal as a nursery or dressing room. Improvements made by the Lindseys in recent years included replacing missing picture rails and dado rails, which are a part of the overall period charm of this home, together with large near full height panelled sash and case windows, working shutters, decorative cornices, four-panelled doors, traditional cast iron radiators, and attractive fireplaces – including two of the bedrooms, which have open fires. The re-fitted dining kitchen is a beautifully proportioned room with Shaker-style cream wall and base units, cream tiled splashbacks and a large double-size range cooker with overhead extractor. A built-in window seat makes an eye -catching feature and there is plenty of space for a large American-style fridge freezer and dining furniture.
Outside, the gardens are a delight and include mature shrubs and trees, lawns, a paved seating area, a sheltered south -facing patio, and ample space for parking. A gate at the bottom of the garden provides foot access to Murray Street and there is also a timber shed and detached single garage with an up-and -over-door and fitted shelving. Marchcroft is a beautiful property and would be an idyllic family home given its size, garden and location, close to the town’s schools, shops and other amenities.
Marchcroft, Murray Street, Duns Asking Price £295,000 Details on page 22
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