THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY
An ‘upside down’ architect designed house in Jedburgh with grazing and stables Built 19 years ago on an elevated site within Jedburgh that provides stunning views over the town and countryside beyond, The Clay House is a visually striking architect-designed property. Add to that 2.5 acres of land with grazing and a detached stable block with two loose boxes and a tack room and this is a one -off property likely to attract considerable interest from equestrian enthusiasts. Mike Bryden bought the property eight years ago, having been captivated by the views, the position, and most of all the land and facility for horses. “The animal side is very important to me,” says Mike, who has two pet sheep called Lamb Chop and Mint Sauce, one pony, one former racehorse and a three-year-old foal that was born here. He was also impressed by the property’s traditional brick-built construction, which he initially thought had prompted the house name. However, it transpires the name is in recognition of clay houses that were on the site in the distant past. “What is also unusual,” Mike reveals, “is that the interior of the house has solid walls, there are no partition walls anywhere, which means sound doesn’t travel between rooms.” In his time here Mike has carried out a number of improvements to the property, including replacing all the Tarmac surfaces, eg entrance driveway and car parking/turning areas. He has also improved the drainage, water facility and shelter in the field, and had the fishpond in the garden re-built as the previous pond was cracked and leaked as a result. In fact, he went one better, as the current pond is also heated.
What is immediately apparent when you see this house is the shape. Built into a hillside, the house is on three levels, which puts the bedrooms on the ground level with the entrance and main living area in the middle/upper section that takes full advantage of the spectacular panoramic views. The views clearly inspired the architect, who incorporated a magnificent circular living room with five front-facing windows and a vaulted roof with exposed timber beams, while at the very top of the house there is a 30ft games room with windows at either end, which Mike currently uses as an office. In total, the layout has a hall with direct access to the integral double garage and steps up to the mezzanine living area, comprising 27ft circular living room with access to a south and west-facing patio/terrace, and equally impressive 31ft dining kitchen, the latter superbly well equipped with high-tech appliances, including a touch control hob, extractor, grill, oven, cappuccino/espresso maker, integrated fridge and freezer, illuminated display cabinet and wine rack. Stairs lead up to the room at the top, at present an office but could also be a games room, family/TV room or similar as it has a wall-mounted Living Flame gas fire.
The Clay House The Friars, Jedburgh In the region of £485,000 Details on page 6
Downstairs on the ground level there are four good-sized bedrooms, master bedroom with separate dressing room (fitted furniture), 13ft en suite bathroom (four-piece suite and separate tiled shower) and patio doors opening on to a terrace overlooking the garden pond. Bedroom two also has an en suite bathroom, while the fourth bedroom has its own shower enclosure. The ground floor also has a cloakroom and utility/laundry room. The surrounding landscaped garden grounds are a major feature and include mature trees and shrubs, lawns, a beautiful raised patio/terrace, heated fishpond and large parking area adjacent to the double garage, which has electronic up-and-over doors. The property also has grazing and a detached timber stable block comprising two loose boxes and tack room. An ideal home for a family with pets and horses, Clay House is located in the Friars area of Jedburgh, within easy reach of the Grammar School and town centre. Amenities in the town are excellent, as are transport links for commuting to Edinburgh and Newcastle, either by road or rail from Berwick on Tweed.
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