Cowshill, Bishop Auckland, DL13

Situated in the picturesque countryside of the North Pennines National Landscape, this cottage presents a great opportunity to own a piece of history. Dating back to the late 1700s, this 1-bed Grade II Listed lead miner’s cottage has been lovingly refurbished to offer a blend of traditional features and modern comforts. Boasting a number of character features such as exposed stone walls, exposed wooden ceiling beams, and original stone fireplaces, the home also offers beautiful gardens with outstanding views, providing a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern living. Upon entering the property you are greeted by a warm and inviting newly fitted kitchen, complete with oil fired Rayburn set in a stone fireplace, with the added functionality of a separate utility room and WC and ample space for dining furniture. The living room continues the cosy theme, with a new, Esse log burner which can also be used for cooking, again set in a beautiful stone fireplace. The ground floor benefits from a new stone floor and underfloor heating.

The existing owners have thoughtfully undertaken an extensive program of refurbishment and renovation works which includes:

• Excavation of the bank to the rear of the property and the installation of Gabion baskets and French drain;

• Full radon barrier and damp proofing installed under the ground floor and 900mm high;

• Extensive insulation, under the ground floor, to all the external walls and in the loft;

• Installation of a new stone floor and underfloor heating on the ground floor;

• Oil fired Rayburn providing central heating and hot water;

• New Esse log burner;

• New kitchen and bathroom;

• Fully repointed with lime mortar and all external walls and loft space fully insulated;

• Restoration of the two large main sash windows, with the other smaller sash windows replaced with new hand built windows to the listed building requirements

In brief, the accommodation comprises, kitchen, utility room and WC, living room, a quarter-turn staircase rises from kitchen to the first floor landing with onward access to the bathroom and bedroom. The quarter-turn of the staircase provides internal access to a lean-to building, which is also accessed externally via a solid wooden door.

Externally the appeal continues, with a welcoming enclosed front garden with stone paving and wooden gates, complete with a planted border and seating area. The rear South facing garden is a real highlight, set on multiple levels, with gravel pathways, planted borders and offering stunning views. A timber gazebo halfway up the hillside, provides the perfect spot for outdoor relaxation. Additionally there is an area of wild garden with newly planted trees and a further area has a greenhouse, polytunnel and raised beds for vegetable gardening. A separate garden area enclosed by stone walling, featuring the remains of a barn, the back wall of which forms part of the listed Allers Bridge, which may not be removed, has potential for development (subject to planning consent). This garden also features a gate and steps down to a section of river frontage on the Killhope Burn. Additionally, a nearby stone built barn with a new roof presents an opportunity for further enhancement. A parking area for two vehicles is conveniently located on the Western side of the property and additional parking space in the garden area.

This cottage offers a blend of history, comfort, and natural beauty, creating a truly unique living experience. Don’t miss out on the chance to be the new owner!

Estate Agent Notes

• Fuel: Oil fired Rayburn

• Water: Mains

• Electricity: Mains

• Sewerage: BioDisc treatment plant shared with number 3

• Access track: Re-surfacing of the access track was undertaken by all users, and maintenance is a shared cost

• The property is extremely well insulated, to a level not reflected in the EPC rating

Kitchen

3.55m x 4.45m

- External access to the front of the property is gained via a wooden door into the kitchen, which provides onward internal access to the utility room/WC, and the living room
- Dual aspect with single-glazed wooden sash windows to the Northern and Western aspects
- Stone floor with underfloor heating
- Oil fired Rayburn positioned within a stone fireplace and providing the property’s central heating, hot water and is the main cooking source
- Feature exposed stone walls
- Exposed wooden ceiling beams
- Fitted kitchen with 1.5 composite sink and composite stone work surface
- Integrated dishwasher
- Integrated electric hob
- Bertazoni American style fridge freezer is included in sale
- Solid wood over/under counter storage units
- Built-in dresser
- Ceiling beam mounted light fittings
- Ample space for dining table

Utility room and WC

3m x 1.18m

- Accessed directly from the kitchen via a wooden door
- Roof light window
- Further small internal window in the wall between this room and the lean-to
- Stone floor with underfloor heating
- Feature exposed stone walls to one side
- Composite work surface and sink
- Under counter and wall mounted storage units
- Washing machine/dryer
- WC
- Ceiling mounted light fittings
- The property's electrical consumer unit is located in this room

Living Room

2.81m x 4.36m

- Positioned to the rear of the property accessed internally from the kitchen and providing onward access to the staircase which in turn provides access to the lean to and first floor
- Wooden single-glazed window to the Western aspect
- Small internal window located within the wall between the living room and lean-to
- Stone floor with underfloor heating
- Decorative wooden panelling to the lower half of one wall
- Esse stove, which also has an oven and hotplate installed in December 2022. This provides a backup for cooking if the Rayburn is turned off in the summer or at any other time
- Under stairs storage cupboard
- Ceiling beam mounted light fittings

Lean-to

2.93m x 1.44m

- Positioned to the Eastern side of the property is a timber framed lean-to building with single-glazed windows to the Southern and Eastern aspects
- The lean-to can be accessed internally through a wooden door with clear glass pane, positioned partway up the staircase, and can also be accessed externally via a solid wooden door to the Eastern aspect

Landing

0.91m x 1.01m

- A quarter turn staircase rises in two stages from the living room to the first-floor landing which provides access to the property’s bedroom and bathroom
- High quality laminate flooring
- Ceiling mounted light fitting

Bathroom

2.93m x 3.51m

- Positioned to the rear of the property and accessed from the first-floor landing
- Two roof light windows to the Southern aspect with a further wooden framed single-glazed window with frosted pane to the Western aspect
- LVT flooring
- Pitched ceiling
- Exposed stone wall to one side
- Large panel bath and overhead mains-fed shower with rainfall head
- WC
- Hand-wash basin set on a vanity unit with integrated storage below
- Ceiling spotlights
- Vertical heated towel rail

Bedroom

3.7m x 4.37m

- Positioned to the front of the property and accessed from the landing
- Wooden framed single-glazed windows to the Northern and Eastern aspects, with the Northern window offering a generously proportioned window seat
- Well-proportioned double room
- High quality laminate flooring
- Exposed stone walls to two sides
- Exposed wooden ceiling beams
- Fitted furniture
- Central ceiling light fitting
- Radiator
- Built-in storage cupboard, which houses the property’s immersion tank
- Access to the property’s loft space, which is fully insulated, boarded and with ladder and lighting

Rear Garden

- To the rear of the property and positioned up on the hillside is a fantastic South facing garden split across multiple levels with gravel pathways, and extensively planted borders
- The garden offers stunning views of the surrounding North Pennines
- Multiple options for seating areas, including a timber gazebo positioned halfway up the hillside
- Additionally there is an area of wild garden with newly planted trees and a further area has a greenhouse, polytunnel and raised beds for vegetable gardening

Front Garden

- To the front of the property is a small, enclosed garden which is paved in stone and enclosed by a stone wall with wooden gates to either end
- Planted border
- Ideal seating area and access to the front door
- Small storage area with a door, which houses the outside tap
- Two outside electrical sockets

Garden

- Positioned a short distance from the property is a separate garden area enclosed by stone walling, featuring the remains of a barn, the back wall of which forms part of the listed Allers Bridge, which may not be removed
- Potential for development (subject to planning consent)
- This garden also features a gate and steps down to a section of river frontage on the Killhope Burn
- Located next to this additional garden and being attached to neighbouring property is a small stone built barn with corrugated tin roof, this building has been repointed externally and the new roof features roof light panels
- New garden shed with rubber roof which has a 10 year guarantee
- Two water butts fed from the shed guttering

Parking - Off street

- To the Western side of the property is a parking area for two vehicles
- The garden area also offers parking for at least one vehicle