River Lodge, Barnard Castle

This gorgeous property is a classic red-brick 1930s, semi-detached house. It is well-presented and instantly appealing. There is ample private parking behind the house and there is also a garage. The garage and the attic space provide ample storage area for the average family. The garage has power and would be the ideal place for an EV charger, if one were ever required.

This wonderful property is set in both a beautiful and a practical location. The town, where you can go to the post office or buy a newspaper and a loaf of freshly baked bread, is just a short walk away, across the river via the iconic iron footbridge. The supermarket is a short drive away in Barnard Castle, for those bigger shops, and you can walk to the castle or The Bowes Museum in under 20 minutes. Those local walks are so sublime! If you are not walking along the most famous of all our streets, taking in all the amazing architecture in Barnard Castle, like the Butter Market and Thorngate Mill, then you are walking along the river bank, and past the vicarage, or down to Egglestone Abbey just a few miles away.

Children can walk safely to school from here, as Barnard Castle has outstanding primary and secondary schools. There is a host of activities at these schools, and more still within the community. So, although in the middle of a rich natural environment down by the river, you are by no means in the middle of nowhere. Instead you are minutes away from a thriving community, with many creative and sporting outlets.

For example, there is a local tennis club, rugby grounds, golf club and leisure centre. There is the amateur dramatics group, The Castle Players. Children can become part of the Teesdale Operatic Society who put on outstanding musicals.

Barnard Castle is proud to be on the edge of an AONB. There are many great walks such as The Teesdale Way and The Pennine Way, and fantastic natural phenomena such as High Force, one of the highest waterfalls in Britain. There is a sailing club and an observatory in nearby Grassholme Reservoir. Barnard Castle is, in short, a fantastic place to live and has something for everyone.

Every inch of the property inside is polished to a high standard. After parking up, your nearest entry point is the back door, which draws you into the kitchen through the utility. A fitted kitchen with integrated appliances awaits your command. Ample work surfaces and a host of storage cupboards and drawers, house all the utensils you could need. The kitchen is light and airy, and is a pleasure to be in. Just the ticket for creating delicious food for the family, or experimenting with new recipes. A big breakfast bar serves as an informal dining space and a more formal dining room can be accommodated/created in the front room, where currently, it's being used as a second sitting room.

The lovely kitchen flows seamlessly into a substantial lounge, which is fully carpeted, containing a brick fireplace and wood-burning stove. The French doors flow outwards into a pleasant gravelled side courtyard adding an extra dimension to this room - perfect for relaxing after dinner, or as an entertainment space for friends and family.

Nearly all the doors in the house have been upgraded to solid light oak and have the highest quality hardware attached to them, adding to the quality feel.

The front of the house can be found either by walking down the side of this house, or by walking along the main footpath along the river from the town. As you approach the house, you begin to realise that River Lodge is very private. Walking from the town to the house, you would at times experience ducks, King Fishers and herons, as well as a host of more common wild birds. They thrive because of the water and plentiful supply of fruits and vegetation for their diets.

Ascending to the first floor, notably this is via an ultra-smart, new oak staircase, which has glass sides, to allow maximum light penetration. This is a welcome feature, and typical of the thought and investment that is a common theme at the property. One arrives upstairs on a smart landing with an airing cupboard and doors to three bedrooms and the family bathroom.

Bedroom 1 is spacious, south-west facing and bathed in light. The fitted wardrobes make it look smart and feel organised. There is sufficient room for a King size bed with bedside tables either side.

Bedroom 2 is on the opposite side of the house, and benefits from the views of the gardens and mature trees that surround the river. It is noticeably restful.

Bedroom 3, also with fitted wardrobes, overlooks the exquisite rear garden, and leads up to the study in the attic. The study has beautiful views of the the river and the delightful town of Barnard Castle.

The peace within the house is very striking. The location of the house means that hearing traffic is quite rare. The investment into achieving a top quality finish is high, and the time and love spent on the garden is clearly evident. This is truly a beautiful home.

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Council Tax Band: C (Durham Council)
Tenure: Freehold