Old School House, Tunstall, LA6 2RQ

Situated on Church Lane, a highly sought-after residential address and 'no through road' within the popular Lune Valley village of Tunstall, Old School House is an impressive Grade II Listed stone and slate detached former school and school house set in delightful landscaped gardens and enjoys stunning open views from the principal rooms.

The original two storey cottage (the southerly elevation) was built in the 17th Century and then given to the villagers of Tunstall in 1753 to be used as a school and schoolhouse. The endowment is commemorated in a plaque framed by pilasters and a cornice set above the original front entrance. It is inscribed in Latin, the translation reads:

'To John Ferrer gentleman and John Fenwick esquire, who endowed this school in order that youth might have access to the beauty of virtue and the light of letters, the parish of Tunstall had pleasure in placing this stone in praise and gratitude, 1753.'

Many of the character features remain; the listing notes that externally the windows have stone surrounds with slight chamfer, and the door has a surround whose cyma moulding forms a ogee shape on the lintel. To the right is a later addition with blocked doorway, now a window; the lintel is a re-used Medieval artefact, incised with a sword and a cross within a circle.

Internally, there are beamed ceilings, exposed cruck beam in the principal bedroom, oak window lintels, recess niches and stone fireplaces in the sitting room and snug.

Extended (to the rear) and fully refurbished in 1997, the property has been home for the current owners since 2005. Well maintained and immaculately presented, the rooms are generouslyproportioned and light filled with a gross internal area of c.1850 sq ft (171.9 sq m). There is also the potential to convert the workshop and garages into ancillary accommodation (subject to the relevant consent).

Let us take you on a tour...

A stone and slate porch with flagged floor and stone bench leads into the hall with oak floor, understairs cupboard and two piece cloakroom.

The triple aspect sitting room is a welcoming space with French windows leading out to the north facing flagged terrace - perfect for the warmer days and in the winter months, there's a wood burning stove. There are also far reaching easterly views towards Ingleborough.

At the heart of every home is a dining kitchen with Aga. Fitted with base and wall units, granite worktops, pot sink, integral electric hob, oven and grill, dishwasher and refrigerator. The two oven red Aga is set in a tiled recess and there is a built-in cupboard with pine doors.

Off the kitchen to the west is a cosy dining room/snug and to the east, a useful utility/laundry room with base units, sink unit and stable door providing external access.

A pine staircase with tall window leads to a spacious landing with four double bedrooms and a house bathroom.

The principal bedroom is open to the apex with exposed timbers, elevated storage, far reaching views across open countryside and an en suite shower room. Bedroom 2 is dual aspect, has built-in wardrobes to one wall and splendid valley views. Bedroom 4 is currently used as an office. The three piece bathroom completes the accommodation.

Providing excellent storage is a large boarded loft space, accessed from the principal bedroom.

Outside space

A cattlegrid with timber gates leads to a gravel driveway providing excellent parking provision. There is an original well, thought to be one of only three wells in the village and which pre-dates the house. The well has a grill for safety reasons.

To the northeast of the house stands a row of stone and slate outbuildings c. 751 sq ft (69.8 sq m) offering huge potential for several different uses - gym, home office, hobby room etc.

As it currently stands, there are two garages with double open doors, one with mezzanine storage and a workshop in addition to another area with a window. These areas have power, light and water and are served by an independent oil fired central heating system.

Adjoined to this, is an open fronted storage area with mezzanine storage.

Also, a former privy provides a garden store. Wonderfully manicured walled gardens wrap around the house. To the front, a wrought iron gate leads to a walled foregarden with lawn and box hedging, borders and a raised seating area.

In the rest of the gardens, there are level lawns, some raised, with planted borders, mature trees and seating areas from which to enjoy the stunning views across open countryside to the Barbon Fells.