Charming former school, now a lovely and conveniently located country house
The Old School House is a charming and very individual home, which dates from 1850, and enjoys views south over farmland and north to the hills. It was built as a school by the local estate and there is a stone on the side of the building which states that:
In fulfilment of a promise to his mother Patrick Chalmers has built this school. He dedicates it to her memory.
The school occupied the two main front rooms (now the sitting room and living room) and operated until the 1970s. The schoolmaster's accommodation was to the side and above. Later additions, added in the 1980s, comprise the kitchen and conservatory. It is now a fine family home, with a large sitting room which is ideal for entertaining. It was acquired in 2005 by the sellers, who have since renewed the double glazing in the conservatory, as well as renewing some of the windows in the house, some of which include replacement double glazing. More recently the large Gothic window in front has been replaced , and the kitchen and upstairs bathroom have been refurbished. The house still retains much of its original character with panelled doors, skirtings and cornicings. It is attractively built of stone, with a slate roof, along with a former bell tower and gargoyles all adding to its character. With well presented accommodation it is a very appealing home. The Old School House is situated adjacent to the minor public road and the junction with one of the original estate drives. There is estate woodland either side of the garden, and a parking area to the rear, off the estate road.
There are two principal doors into the house. A low wall with a small gate opens from the road and leads to the original school door. To the side a further entrance door opens into a hallway of what was originally the schoolmaster's house, with wooden flooring, staircase to the first floor with an understair cupboard. The dining room has cornicing. Beyond is the sitting room with its full height beamed ceiling, panelling, open fireplace, large Gothic style window, four wall lights, wooden flooring, display recess, walk in cupboard and a door to an entrance porch with tiled floor. Also off the dining room is the cosy living room with a mains gas stove, display shelves, four wall lights and wooden flooring. A utility room has a washbasin, John Lewis washing machine, HiSense fridge/freezer with water and ice dispenser and a wall mounted Worcester boiler. The dining room opens through to the fitted kitchen with wooden units with a sink. NEFF appliances include a oven/microwave, oven/grill, undercounter fridge, ceramic hob and dishwasher. Beyond is the double glazed conservatory linking to the garden, with a tiled floor and roof blinds. Also off the hallway is a part tiled bathroom with wash basin, WC and wooden flooring, while bedroom one has a cornice, panelled ceiling, bay window and an en suite with shower, wash basin and WC.
The curved wooden staircase leads to a landing with a hatch to roof space. Bedroom two has fitted wardrobes, while bedroom three has a wash basin and there is a shower room with wash basin and WC.
The most attractive garden is fully fenced together with hedges. There are lawns as well as fully stocked flower and shrub borders. Beyond a small burn is a wooden summer house. There are some fine trees, along with paved and gravelled seating areas, raised vegetable beds, composting bins and a small water feature. In all the grounds extended to some 0.85 acres.
There is a stone built outbuilding, with a slate roof, which includes a potting shed, store, log store, workshop with fitted benches and separate WC with washbasin, along with a garage with an auto roller door from the road. There is also a stone built former cook house, now a store with a Beko freezer.
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