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A former school and schoolhouse in the Yarrow Valley that’s in a class of its own
Converted to its present form nine years ago, this beautiful old whinstone former schoolhouse is now a remarkable home enclosed by a very pretty cottage garden to the front and side, while at the rear is an unexpected bonus – an attached but otherwise quite separate and self-contained two bedroomed letting annexe. In addition, the property also owns 0.9 miles of river frontage (with trout fishing rights included) on the Yarrow Water, accessed directly across the road and stretching the length of the village. This enchanting private ground offers idyllic walks along the riverbank and shady picnic areas amongst the trees.
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The Old Schoolhouse, Yarrowford
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WHEN YOU’RE BUYING OR SELLING PROPERT Y . . . IT HAS TO BE BSPC
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The Old Schoolhouse, Yarrowford
Situated within the quiet hamlet of Yarrowford in the picturesque Yarrow Valley – yet only a few miles from the centre of Selkirk – the school room and school house date from the late 19th Century but after the school closed in the late 1950s, the building became a village shop and post office until it was purchased by present owners James and Vivienne Young, The couple have transformed the buildings into a deceptively spacious and comfortable family home with additional accommodation that could provide letting income or house extended family.
Featured Property The Old Schoolhouse, Yarrowford, Selkirk, TD7 5NA
Offers Around £378,000 • Details on: Page 15
The main house is entered via a hall which leads into a light-filled striking 22ft living room in what was the original schoolroom – a superb space with a vaulted ceiling, original wainscoting and a wood-burning stove. Beyond the living room is a formal dining room, modern Shaker-style fitted kitchen, inner hallway with spiral staircase, sitting room (with focal fireplace and multi -fuel stove), double bedroom and adjoining bathroom.
A door in the hall also leads to another cloakroom and a delightful garden room with patio doors opening onto a side garden where a paved seating area provides lovely views along the Yarrow Valley. The spiral staircase is a recent addition.“The original school house was quite dark” explains James
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“So we opened it up and installed a Velux window along with the spiral staircase – a project that also enabled us to upgrade the insulation to make the space much lighter and warmer,”
“So we opened it up and installed a Velux window along with the spiral staircase – a project that also enabled us to upgrade the insulation to make the space much lighter and warmer,” he adds. Upstairs, the master bedroom is an attractive room with an exposed stone feature wall, Velux window and bespoke fitted wardrobes. Also off the upper landing is a study area and contemporary shower room. The cottage annexe offers potential for myriad uses and although linked to the main house by a passageway and connecting door, this can easily be secured to make the accommodation fully self -contained with its own front door and hall leading to a 24ft long living room with feature fireplace and patio doors to an enclosed courtyard, fitted kitchen, and two double bedrooms, each with an en suite shower room. The cottage’s garden setting is delightful and includes lawn, vegetable plots, gravelled parking area and garage/workshop - and across the road is the additional ground and river frontage.
Steeped in character and retaining many period features (including working window shutters), James and Vivienne have made the Old Schoolhouse into an exceptional family home with income potential - in an area renowned for walkers, cyclists and visitors attracted by the area’s Dark Sky opportunities.
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