A deeply stylish period home in a secluded riverside spot on the Northumbrian/Cumbrian border.
A chic bolthole “in the middle of nowhere and the centre of everything”
The Old Rectory, set on the banks of the South Tyne river next to the 18th century St Jude’s Church of Knaresdale and just paces from the border between Northumberland and Cumbria, is affectionately described by its management team as being “in the middle of nowhere and the centre of everything.”
It’s a charming and accurate description: the property offers a genuine sense of remoteness thanks to its rural setting yet is just over six miles north of the popular (Cumbrian) market town of Alston and only 35 minutes from the historical town of Hexham, home to Hexham Racecourse. Furthermore, the property is a scenic 40-minute drive from the Lake District National Park, reached by crossing over wild moors teeming with grouse and deer. Yet the bustle of the Lakes feels many moons away as you sip a drink in the Old Rectory’s peaceful gardens and contemplate the rugged beauty of the North Pennines AONB that encircles the property.
The Old Rectory, known to date to the 1700s, is a sizeable six-bedroom property set amidst lush pasture on a meander of the South Tyne river. The acclaimed Edinburgh-based interior designer Emily Smoor of interior design studio, Fantoush, has transformed the house into a stylish country retreat for large groups of family, friends or colleagues. Each room, from the bedrooms to the large open-plan kitchen and dining room, boasts its own personality thanks to Emily’s clever blend of period features, upcycled antiques, eclectic artworks, designer Pooky lamps and OKA soft furnishings. By creating these layers of interest, together with carefully selected paints and Scandinavian wallpapers in a range of organic colours reflective of the earthy tones of the surrounding fell and moors, the interiors are at once calming and intriguing.
After approaching The Old Rectory by a tree-lined country lane that hugs the curves of the river, visitors pass through the lovely fan-light front door (inspired by the famous No.10 Downing Street door) to discover an inviting sitting room, two spacious en-suite bedrooms and the light-filled kitchen and dining room. Surrounded on three sides by windows and French doors that lead to an enclosed garden and topped with a vast rooflight, the dining table comfortably seats 12 guests and affords sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.
A further three double bedrooms are found on the first floor: one boasts a romantic roll-top bath in the bedroom while the other two share a charming cornflower blue and fresh green family bathroom with a roll-top bath and large shower. Each of the bathrooms is stocked with indulgent, sustainably made products from the Cumbrian company, The Bath House. The final double bedroom is set below the eaves on the second floor and promises sweet dreams below a canopy of leafy Sandberg wallpaper in soft blue hues.
Groups seeking additional bedrooms are invited to also make themselves at home at the four-bedroom Kirkstyle Inn which is The Old Rectory’s next-door neighbour. This lauded gastropub has flourished in the hands of restaurateur Nick Parkinson and Head Chef, Connor Wilson; combining extensive experience of running restaurants with talented skills in the kitchen, to create an acclaimed field-to-fork dining destination that serves a seasonal menu of local game, meats and vegetables entirely sourced from within a 50-mile radius.
Guests staying at The Old Rectory can not only sample the delicious food in the atmospheric Kirkstyle Inn but are also able to enjoy it in the comfort of their holiday home, adding breakfasts, home-cooked meals for arrival and more exclusive catering options on request. Additional concierge services such as shooting tours, fishing trips, guided nature or city tours, and wine and whisky tastings are also available for those seeking to capitalise on everything this diverse area has to offer.
GROUND FLOOR
Rear access into the utility room/boot room with sink, washing machine, separate dryer, microwave.
Cloakroom with basin and WC.
Kitchen with induction hob, grill and oven, fridge/freezer (2 drawer), full-size dishwasher. Island unit with bar stools.
Orangery with glass lantern roof, dining table with seating up to twelve. Door to the patio area and garden.
Sitting room/drawing room - this room is divided into two separate areas. Corner sofa, wall-mounted Smart TV. Large three seater sofa, two armchairs, open fire.
Inner hall.
Bedroom one - with king-size bed, side tables, wardrobe, dressing table, armchair.
En suite bathroom - shower with rainforest head, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Bedroom two - with king-size bed, side tables, chest of drawers, window seat, hanging hook on the door.
En suite bathroom - shower with rainforest head, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
FIRST FLOOR
Staircase (two turns) with handrail to the first floor.
Bedroom three with king size bed, side tables, wardrobe, armchair.
Bedroom four with king size bed, side tables, dressing table, wardrobe.
Family bathroom with roll-top bath, large shower (rainforest head and separate mixer), heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Bedroom five wth king size bed, side tables, decorative fireplace, wardrobe, bench seat, freestanding roll-top bath.
Family bathroom with large shower (rainforest head and separate mixer), roll-top bath, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
SECOND FLOOR
Staircase with handrail to the second floor leads to an upper landing featuring a snug with double sofa and footstool. Small wall-mounted Smart TV.
Bedroom six with twin beds with zip and link function which can be configured to a super king bed as preferred. Side tables, two cupboards offer storage space, chest of drawers.
En suite bathroom with roll-top bath, radiator, basin and WC.
OUTSIDE
Patio area off the Orangery with garden furniture. Enclosed garden with lawned area. A barbecue is available.
PARKING
There is parking is directly to the rear of the property with sufficient space for three cars. A further three cars can park in the designated parking area located off the garden access.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING
An electric vehicle charger with a type 2 socket is available upon request. There is no charge, however, the charging point is untethered so guests must bring their own cable. The charging capacity is 7 KWh.
For safety reasons, please only use the dedicated charger for car charging at this property. Discover alternative electric vehicle charging points here.
BABIES & CHILDREN
Babies and children are welcome and a travel cot and high chair can be provided on request. A number of games are provided, including an X-Box.
DOGS
Two small or medium size dogs are welcome. Sorry large dog breeds are not permitted.
Dogs must be kept out of the bedrooms and off the furniture.
GUEST AMENITIES
All bed linens and towels are included, along with bath robes. Duvets and pillows are hypo-allergenic. High quality soaps and shower/bath wash are provided. There is a hairdryer in each bedroom.
WI-FI & MOBILE COVERAGE
The property benefits from fibre broadband. Mobile signal is generally good with 4G capacity. 02 and Vodafone work well.
HEATING
Underfloor heating with additional radiators which are thermostatically controlled. There are heating thermostats on every floor. Open fire in the drawing room with unlimited logs.
GUEST PRIVACY
The property sits in a small hamlet but is detached and not overlooked. The Kirkstyle Inn is in the same ownership and sits approximately 75 yards from the property for meals and evening dining (please check opening times).
FISHING ON SITE
Nearby fishing is available.
ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION
The nearby Kirstyle Inn has a further four bedrooms of a similar quality and style for larger parties wishing to holiday together (subject to availability).
