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A former coaching inn near Duns has intrigue and history, an upgraded interior and a new two-bed cottage in the grounds
Nisbet Rhodes, Near Duns Whoever purchases Nisbet Rhodes isn’t only buying an outstanding family home near Duns; they are buying a slice of Borders history on two counts. The main house, which dates from the 1700s, was originally a coaching inn – but there are also accounts relating to a Dunse Spa being located in the woodland area belonging to the house. The mineral spring discovered by accident in 1747 was said to be on a par with the quality of water from Tunbridge in England – and as word of its healing abilities spread and attracted more people to the site, there was speculation locally that, with development, Duns could become another Bath or Turnbridge Wells. Spurred on by this, in 1840 the owner of the estate instructed a wall to be built and the surrounding meadow drained and in the course of these operations, the spring disappeared and all subsequent attempts to recover it since have proved fruitless.
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Nisbet Rhodes, Near Duns James Gardner and his partner Irene Adams knew nothing about the C-listed property or its intriguing past when they bought the property 16 years ago. “We saw it from the road and liked the look of it, so much so that I decided to buy it in the space of five minutes, before we even set foot inside,” he says. “It wasn’t in very good shape at the time,” James adds. “Nothing matched up and it was a bit of a mishmash - but we could see its potential. The first year was spent on the initial internal work, which included everything from new central heating and full electrics, to installing a new kitchen and bathroom and making the ground floor solid before laying recycled Canadian maple flooring – some of which came from the former post office in George Square in Glasgow, some from a warehouse on the River Thames, and some from an old church in Edinburgh.”
Featured Property Nisbet Rhodes, Near Duns, TD11 3HT
Price: Guide Price £575,000 • Details on: Page 8
James has also significantly improved the garden – and turned the former stable building in the grounds, which is also C-listed, into a stylish two bedroomed detached cottage that could be a perfect independent home for a relative or a useful source of income as a holiday let. Most recently, James has built a sizeable workshop/garage in the orchard that is large enough to house a couple of classic cars, which was his intended use.
Nisbet Rhodes is a lifestyle property and an enviable one at that. The main house has been upgraded to an exacting specification to create a pared-back modern family home that is warm, comfortable and inviting – but also steeped in character and charm accrued over several centuries – while the garden grounds are positively enchanting.
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“We saw it from the road and liked the look of it, so much so that I decided to buy it in the space of five minutes, before we even set foot inside,” Predictably quirky, the ground floor layout flows from the entrance porch and initial small hallway, off which is a study/third bedroom on one side, and a bright and spacious dining hall on the other side, which continues on into the adjoining sitting room, a delightful room that benefits from north and south-facing windows plus west-facing French doors and additional single external door to the garden. A step down from the dining hall is an attractive dining kitchen fitted with high-gloss white units, granite and woodblock worktops and integrated appliances. An inner split-level hallway leads to a bathroom and family room/games room, another spacious living area with direct access to the garden and stairs to a charming unexpected extra, a galleried mezzanine-floor that reveals a useful additional seating area or quiet contemplative space – or spare bedroom when occasion warrants it. The main staircase in the hall leads up to the first floor landing and steps on either side to two bedrooms (both with built-in storage, one with a cast iron fireplace) and a fully tiled washroom/toilet. In addition, the extensively coombed upper level also houses a 24ft wide split-level utility ‘cupboard’ currently plumbed for laundry appliances.
James and Irene have recently obtained planning consent for this space to be extended to create an additional bedroom, shower room and utility area (plans available to purchasers). The same emphasis on quality and craftsmanship was given to Nisbet Cottage, which has oak-effect Karndean flooring throughout the ground floor, which comprises cloakroom, open-plan living/dining room with front-facing windows and French doors to a patio and walled garden – and a charming Shaker-style integrated kitchen, plus a large walk-in laundry cupboard with space for a washing machine and tumble dryer. Upstairs are two double bedrooms with dormer windows, coombed ceilings and walk-in wardrobes, and an attractive tiled bathroom with over-bath shower. Nisbet Rhodes has picturesque garden grounds that include a large, sheltered walled garden with flower and shrub borders, a separate enclosed garden with a pond, a driveway and abundant parking, patio, workshop and additional grassed area bounded by woodland. A forever home that merges old and new to near perfection, this is a must-see property.
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