Old Elvet, Durham, DH1

Bradley Hall is delighted to offer for sale this specular home situated in the City Centre of Durham. Durham House dates back to 1847 a date which is etched on the headstone of the original door. It features in many paintings and photographs of Durham in the foreground with the cathedral as it’s backdrop. Durham House once fronted onto Durham’s Racecourse and the former county cricket pitch where Sir Ian Botham played his last game for Durham. Today it is university playing fields.

The former chaplaincy and school was renovated with no expense spared in 2002. Piles were driven and a bottom up restoration took place.

This was the dream of a local entrepreneur who created many unique features. The house has a natural flow through the sun room and kitchen to the snooker room and sunken lounge and dining room all with hardwood French windows overlooking the riverbanks. An area for a baby grand piano sits in the midst of this social area.

The ground floor study has views through mullioned windows over the cricket pitch. An ideal haven for quiet thought and contemplation. For a house hidden in plain sight you can enjoy the sights of rural England and yet walk 400m to Durham market place. A private courtyard with four large garages greets you as you enter the property through an archway.

This reveals the bottle window spanning two stories which illuminates the spiral staircase. There is a secure workshop and bike store. On entering the house via the crucifix door you immediately notice the polished stone floor and open aspect of the hallway with its hardwood staircase. Off this are two separate toilets a cloakroom and utility room.

Access is also available down an illuminated staircase to the full sized snooker room with an oak panelled wall. (Table included and ready to play) Great efforts have been made to add features to the property with a galleried light well, niches, oak doors and changes of level. Even the radiators were imported from Italy. The house has old world charm with modern standards of insulation and heating.

The first floor has a large half landing where you access the galleried light well and French windows leading to the huge balcony with elevated views of the river.
Also here we find the master bedroom again with French windows to the deck and glorious views. A dressing room and bathroom make this a quiet haven.
A large feature bathroom with elevated jacuzzi bath, bidet, shower and dressing area along with a further ensuite bedroom complete this floor.
The second floor has three further ensuite bedrooms, two of which enjoy excellent views of the river.

A gorgeous south facing lounge with floor to ceiling window enhances the living experience on the top floor.

Externally the front of the house has a large deck with raised seating area and a sunken garden with a summerhouse and an original well which most houses on old Elvet once had.
The property has indicative planning consent for the development of nine holiday lets which on conservative estimates could produce a gross income of over 400k pa.

This centrally located haven is guaranteed to be a sound investment as well as a great family home. Seldom does such a piece of history as well as a great place to live come to the market. It was built up to a quality rather than down to a price and it shows.

A truly exceptional property and one not to be missed. Viewing by prior appointment.