House for sale in The Linnels, Hexham, NE46 1TS - 5 bedrooms

•  3d tour

The Linnels, as it stands now, is understood to have been originally constructed circa 1897 having been purchased by Mr R B Charlton in 1891, (it had previously been a coaching inn) and represents one of the finest, small Northumbrian estates available for sale at this present time. The property was purchased by the current owners in 2002 and an extensive refurbishment project was undertaken to create a magnificent country house set within 12 acres of beautiful grounds and gardens.

The Linnels as it stands now is understood to have been originally constructed circa 1897 having been purchased by Mr R B Charlton in 1891, (it had previously been a coaching inn) and represents one of the finest, small Northumbrian estates available for sale at this present time. The property was purchased by the current owners in 2002 and an extensive refurbishment project was undertaken to create a magnificent country house set within 12 acres of beautiful grounds and gardens.

This house has been admired by many for its beauty, quality, prestige and unique setting. The grounds were once admired, as was the house, by Wainwright on one of his walks, when he described the view from the bridge in 'A Pennine Journey' (1938). Historically, Pevsner also refers to the property, when in the mid 17th century a hurst-frame mill was constructed. This mill encapsulates the feel for the past; with now redundant working parts, the machinery is still in situ. The mill is now a Grade II* listed property. The race and weir have survived and are surrounded by beautiful walkways, a central island and quarry, as well as a meadow of spring flowers. The pathways lead around and down to the Devil's Water, where the property has views over the historic Linnels Bridge, which originally dates from 1581 and was built by Thomas Errington, it was subsequently rebuilt in 1698. The original inscription "God preserve Umforia Erington Belldete the bridge of Lyme and stone 1581" can be read on a plaque on the bridge.

The property includes a Victorian Coach House and stables, which is a very attractive stone building in its own right, retaining three traditional Victorian stables with hay racks and feed troughs, a further large stable and feed store area, two double garages, a further stable and general store. The Coach House has also been adapted, altering the old tack room into a ground floor entrance, kitchen and dining area for a self contained flat. The kitchen is well equipped and fitted with units and connects to the first floor, where there are three bedrooms and a beautiful sitting room set into the loft, with the old dovecote being a feature. The bedrooms have one en-suite shower room, as well as a main bathroom/wc. The Coach House is self-contained with its own oil fired central heating.

The Linnels is located two miles south of Hexham on the eastern edge of Hexhamshire and has a fascinating history. It is understood to be one of the first private houses in the world to benefit from electricity after it was first proven by the Armstrong family at Cragside, the original turbine and workings are still visible in the mill. The Linnel Ponies, a mountain and moorland breed of Fell ponies, originated at The Linnels Stud and still thrives under the auspices of the present Charlton family. The fabulous grounds that surround the properties are noted by Pevsner as being of historical importance and include beautiful woodland, riverside gardens, pasture land, a lawned tennis court, formal recreation areas and rhododendron walkways and former outdoor swimming pool. Two large open paddocks lie within the grounds.

The Linnels itself is a highly imposing Victorian detached house, which has been refurbished and modernised by the current owners with considerable taste, flair and style. The original house has a beautiful entrance vestibule leading through to the reception hall, with oak/pine wood flooring, stunning carved oak fireplace and splendid oak ceiling. The drawing room has a fabulous bay window and a highly impressive fireplace. It leads on to the conservatory, which is understood to be of the original build. The dining room is a very elegant room overlooking the bridge and river. It is decorated in colours by Farrow & Ball and The Paint Library, as is much of the house, in keeping with the style and taste of the high quality of interior design. The morning room has a lovely bay window overlooking the approach to the property and the bridge. Connecting from the rear hall is a butler's panty, a cloakroom/wc and a utility room which leads onto a large sheltered cedar deck. The kitchen/breakfasting room has been refurbished and refitted by Smallbone, with hand painted and oak cabinets, black granite worktops and a six oven Aga set into a recess with multi coloured Fired Earth tiling. The limestone flooring which has under-floor heating is a feature throughout the kitchen and orangery, the limestone flooring also continues into the northern entrance lobby. The north hall leads on to the gravelled entrance with ample parking, with a rear staircase and two large walk-in pantries. The orangery is part of an addition to the property and has been very tastefully constructed with two sets of glazed doors onto the southern terrace, beautiful limestone tiles with under-floor heating and tremendous natural light from the conservation roof lights. The principal hall and staircase leads to the first floor, where the master bedroom has its own suite and wing, with a private hall, dressing room, bathroom and separate wash room with wet room and wc. The main bedroom is delightful and has a beautiful oriel window overlooking the gardens and a fireplace set into the chimney breast. There are three further double bedrooms, all well proportioned in size and with beautiful views. One has its own en-suite bathroom set into a charismatic bay and the other two share a Jack and Jill bathroom/wc with separate shower. The fifth bedroom is ideal for a teenager's own wing and is currently used as an office. It has extensive cupboards and leads on to its own living room, also at present used as an office, which connects to the rear northern staircase. The property has oil fired central heating, part secondary glazing, a comprehensive ADT alarm system and its own modern private drainage system set within the grounds.

The Linnels is a very special house and rarely do houses of this nature come to the market for sale. Its combination of modern day luxury, elegance and quality, contrasting with the period charm and original features it enjoys, is very rare indeed. The grounds adjacent to the river, the historic Linnels Bridge, the race and the magnificent mature trees are equally special. The Coach House, extensive garaging, stable, stores, as well as further modern large workshop and store which has been built on the footprint of previous stables and also two old timber stables within the rear paddocks, provide a superb support for equestrian facilities.

The Linnels is located just to the south of Hexham, a very well sought after market town within Northumberland, which enjoys convenient accessibility via the A69 into Newcastle, the International Airport and the rail system linking to Edinburgh in the north and London Kings Cross in the south.

The Linnels represents the very best of a fine Northumberland country property and viewing is strongly recommended at an early opportunity.

The property comprises: Access to the property is very impressive and leads from the open gravelled courtyard to the northern elevation of the property, with a panelled and part glazed entrance door with side lantern lighting connecting through to the:

• NORTHERN ENTRANCE HALL The reception hall has limestone flooring aand painted wood panelled walls which contrast well with the cream wood panelled ceiling. There is a small under-stairs store cupboard, a period style central heating radiator, two walk-in pantries, both with fitted stone shelves, an entry telephone linking  to the main gates, dimmer switch lighting and a staircase leading up to the first floor. A panelled and glazed door leads through to the:
• KITCHEN (side facing to western elevation) 23'2 x 12'4 (7.07m x 3.76m) The kitchen was completely refurbished and refitted by Smallbone, which is internationally regarded as being a very high quality kitchen company. The kitchen is supplied with an extensive arrangement of hand painted base, wall and drawer cabinets, with granite worktop surfaces incorporating a Belfast double sink unit with chrome mono bloc tap. The standard of finish is first class, with open plate racks and contrasts in the centre island unit with oak cabinets, a stainless steel sink and a breakfasting bar. The central island also incorporates a Falcon wine chiller. The dresser unit has an oak worktop and a range of storage cupboards, as well as open display space. The focal point of the kitchen is the fabulous six oven Aga with an electric module with four ring ceramic hob. The Aga is oil fired and provides domestic cooking only. It is set into a ceramic tiled recess with extractor hood and lighting. The tiling was supplied by Fired Earth and the recess is finished with an oak mantle and drying rail. There is also a cast iron hanging pot rack. The kitchen has spotlighting to the ceiling, conservation lights into the roof slope, limestone flooring with under-floor heating and enjoys a pleasant view over the gardens. The rear of the kitchen connects to a shelved larder cupboard with lighting and a separate recess, ideal for accommodating an American refrigerator and freezer. A door returns to the reception hall and glazed double doors lead onto the:
• ORANGERY (south & west facing) 23'4 x 20'7 (7.12m x 6.28m) The orangery was part of the remodelling works carried out to the house in 2003/2004. It is a fabulously constructed reception room which has two sets of tall glazed double doors leading onto the south facing terrace. There are two sets of sash styled windows to the western elevation, as well as four conservation roof lights fitted into the roof space, two of which are electrically operated. All of these windows give tremendous natural light. The orangery has limestone flooring with under-floor heating, TV aerial point, built-in speakers, wall lighting, standard lamp sockets, dimmer switch light controls and a media recess with shelving. Glazed double doors lead from the orangery to the rear of the principal hall. The original entrance hall to The Linnels is situated on the eastern elevation and includes a highly impressive set of panelled and glazed double doors leading to the entrance porch, with wood panelling and glazed windows overlooking the adjacent mill and river. The beautiful mosaic tiled floor complements the entrance vestibule, with doormat well and rush matting and a panelled and glazed internal door set into an archway and leading through to the:
• PRINCIPAL RECEPTION HALL 37'7 x 13'10 (11.44m x 4.22m) maximum measurements The principal hall is a beautiful focal point of the house. It features a magnificent oak panelled ceiling with herringbone design and cross struts, as well as heavy beam centre supports. This contrasts very well with the oak flooring, which surrounds a centre carpet well which has more recently been fitted with pine wood boarding. The fireplace is very impressive and has beautiful carved oak surrounds with a Jetmaster log and solid fuel open fire insert, slate insets and hearth. The hall has wall lighting, two period radiators and connects through a beautifully detailed panelled arch into the rear hall with the fabulous mahogany staircase. The stairwell connects on in turn to the orangery at the rear of the house. Beneath the stairs is a useful general store cupboard with shelving, under-floor heating controls and alarm controls. This is certainly an impressive entrance to the original house.
• DRAWING ROOM (south & east facing) 28'3 x 18'8 (8.61m x 5.70m) measurements from chimney breast into bay This is a very tasteful and elegant room which has a stunning ceiling and very elaborately detailed plasterwork and cornicing. The room enjoys great natural light from the bay window overlooking the river and the panelled and glazed double doors leading out onto the gardens, with beautiful stained and leaded glass panels to the upper panes. The focal point of the room is the beautiful mahogany fireplace surround, with marble trim to the chrome inset, marble hearth, open fire and grate. The room has four period style central heating radiators, deep skirting boards, book display case, secondary glazing to the windows and very impressive wall and ceiling light fittings which are to be included in the sale. A panelled and glazed door connects from the drawing room and leads to the:
• CONSERVATORY (south & west facing) 14'9 x 20'5 (4.50m x 6.22m) The conservatory is believed to be original to the date of construction, circa 1897 and was supplied by McKenzie & Moncur Ltd of Edinburgh, Glasgow and London. The conservatory is built in period fashion of cedar wood construction and wrought iron supports, as well as opening sashes for the ridge windows. It has fitted plant shelves and staging, an irrigation system and metal grills surrounding the terracotta floor tiles, which contains the heating system. There are panelled and glazed double doors to the southern elevation and a panelled and glazed door to the western elevation leading out onto the gardens. Returning to the reception hall, a door connects to the:
• DINING ROOM (east and north facing) 14'11 x 18'1 (4.55m x 5.51m) A very tasteful room which has elaborate cornice detailing, picture rail and dado rail, as well as central ceiling rose and a magnificent mahogany high mantled fireplace surround with marble trim to the tiled insert and recess and open fire. There are two period radiators, three sash windows, two of which overlook the river and the bridge, deep skirting boards, dimmer switch lighting and Farrow & Ball decorative finishes to the walls. The rear hall connects and leads on to the:
• MORNING ROOM (north facing) 15'1 x 17'8 (4.59m x 5.38m) measurements exclude the inglenook but include bay window This is a very cosy day to day living room which has a super bay window overlooking the front approach to the house, with four sash windows and fitted bookshelves beneath. To the eastern elevation there is an inglenook bay with a view over the adjacent bridge. The room has a corner oak fireplace with Stovax Riva wood burning fire set into a slate surround and hearth, two period style radiators, elaborate cornicing and ceiling rose, picture rail and TV aerial point. Connecting from the side hall a door leads to the:
• BUTLER'S PANTRY Well fitted with pine base, wall and drawer cabinets, stainless steel single drainer sink unit, wood trim to the worktop surfaces and spacing for a dishwasher. A panelled and coloured glass door leads on to the:
• CLOAKROOM With cloak hooks, period wall hung wash basin with chrome taps, central heating radiator, wall shelving and painted wood panel ceiling and walls.
• SEPARATE WC With high level wc, chrome connecting pipe and painted wood walls. The last door connects from the rear of the staircase and hall and leads to the:
• UTILITY & LAUNDRY ROOM 12'2 x 8'5 (3.70m x 2.56m) With stainless steel single drainer sink unit fitted into laminate veneered worktops with base, wall and drawer cabinets, excellent general storage space, high capacity Kidd oil fired central heating boiler for central heating and domestic hot water to the house, two sets of timer controls and spotlighting to the ceiling. There is also a panelled and glazed door leading onto the gardens to the south. The highly impressive mahogany staircase with its elaborate carvings, handrail and painted wood spindles leads up to the first floor landing. The three quarter landing has a stained and leaded glass feature window overlooking the western elevation and a large linen shelved store cupboard which accommodates the high capacity hot water tank.
• FIRST FLOOR LANDING With period style radiator, spotlighting to the ceiling and access into the roof void which has two windows overlooking the river. Five doors lead from the landing to first floor accommodation:
• MASTER SUITE A private hall and landing opens up to the:
• BEDROOM (south, east and west facing) 23'0 x 15'6" (7.01m x 4.72m) A beautiful room enjoying a stunning view over the garden and river from its spectacular oriel bay window, which is fitted with a window bench seat and radiator. The room has egg and dart cornicing, central ceiling rose, reading wall lights, telephone point, TV aerial point, period style radiator and a Gazco log burning effect LPG gas fire set into a slate surround within the chimney breast.
• WALK-IN DRESSING ROOM Professionally designed and fitted with open shelving, hanging rail space and drawer units and period fireplace with open grate.
• EN-SUITE BATHROOM With oval shaped bath set into a tiled surround with chrome Grohe unit and handheld shower attachment, spotlighting and lovely window overlooking the gardens.
• WASHROOM With vanity wash hand basin supplied by Villeroy & Boch with illuminated wall mirror and storage space beneath, close coupled wc, bidet unit, Farrow & Ball painted wood panelling to the walls, spotlighting and 2 heated chrome towel rails. An archway leads through to the:
• WET ROOM With a Grohe Aquatower dual shower system, ceramic tiling to walls and floor, spotlight and window overlooking the gardens.
• BEDROOM TWO (east facing) 14'9 x 12'9 (4.95m x 3.90m) Beautifully decorated with Farrow & Ball emulsion, cornice detailing, high ceilings, spotlight and central light, central heating radiator, mahogany fireplace surround with elaborate detailing, marble trim, tiled insert and hearth, built-in double wardrobe and lovely panelled and glazed doors overlooking the river and bridge.
• EN-SUITE BATHROOM A Jack and Jill bathroom which is shared between bedrooms two and three. It has a lovely view to the east overlooking the bridge and river and has a white four piece suite, comprising large panelled bath, corner shower cubicle, close coupled wc, pedestal wash hand basin with illuminated mirror, spotlighting, heated chrome towel rail and Expelair unit.
• BEDROOM THREE (east & north facing) 15'0 x 12'5 (4.58m x 3.80m) plus the entrance area Enjoying lovely window views overlooking the river and bridge, fitted double wardrobe, contrasting emulsioned walls, cornice detailing, spotlight and central light, central heating radiator and period style fireplace with elaborately detailed insert and open grate.
• BEDROOM FOUR (front north facing) 17'6 x 15'1 (5.33m x 4.60m) measurements into bay window The largest guest double bedroom, it has a beautiful bay with four sash windows and secondary glazed panels and enjoys tremendous views over the gardens and approach to the house. The room has tall ceilings with cornicing, period fireplace with tiled insert and open grate, wall lighting, fitted bookcase to one side of the chimney breast and central heating radiator.
• EN-SUITE BATHROOM Set into the bay at the corner of the house with original panelling and windows. It has a panelled bath, close coupled wc, pedestal wash hand basin, heated chrome towel rail and shaver light and socket.
• BEDROOM FIVE (west facing) 15'7 x 12'1 (4.75m x 3.69m) This bedroom is currently used as a working office and has an extensive arrangement of storage cupboards, two sash windows looking over the gardens to the west, central heating radiator, period painted fireplace surround with tiled insert and open grate and high ceilings with cornicing and spotlighting.
• LIVING ROOM/STUDY (north & west facing) 17'9 x 12'3 (5.41m x 3.73m) Enjoying a beautiful aspect overlooking the gardens and approach to the house, two central heating radiators, spotlighting, telephone point, TV aerial point and a staircase that returns to the rear entrance hall. This living room/study would provide an ideal suite for a teenager wanting their own independent access to the house. It is presently being used as a study.
• COACH HOUSE Believed to have been constructed circa 1897. It is a detached stone built property which accommodates a number of garages and general store space. To the eastern wing there are four Victorian stables, with cobbled flooring, drain wells, water troughs, hay storage, fluorescent tube lighting and electric circuit breaker controls. To the rear building a stable door leads out onto the connecting access to the paddocks.
• GARAGE ONE 15'8 x 15'10 (4.77m x 4.84m) With general workshop use, eaves storage space, lighting and power supply.
• GARAGE TWO 16'2 x 15'1 (4.93m x 4.6m) With further storage space, lighting and power. The single storey western end of this building incorporates a fifth stable and a separate store room. The Coach House has its own independent living quarters. At ground floor level a panelled and glazed door connects to the:
• KITCHEN/DINING AREA (east facing) 14'9 x 11'8 (4.49m x 3.56m) The kitchen is well equipped and fitted with stainless steel single drainer sink unit and painted base, wall and drawer cabinets with granite style worktop surfaces, a ceramic electric four ring hob with single oven beneath and spacing for a dishwasher. Further worktops to the opposite side of the room accommodate spacing for a washing machine and tumble dryer, as well as the independent Worcester oil fired central heating boiler for central heating and domestic hot water to the Coach House. Further features include electric circuit breaker controls, TV aerial point, spotlighting to the ceiling, entry telephone to the main gates, stone fireplace recess with a wood panelled surround and mantle and a pleasant aspect and view towards the river. The open staircase which is fitted with the original decorative stair treads, leads to the first floor accommodation, where five doors lead off to further rooms. The landing passageway has a central heating radiator, exposed roofing timbers and an attractive window to the western elevation.
• LIVING ROOM (north & west facing) 14'10 x 19'4 (4.52m x 5.89m) Set within the loft and retaining the original dovecote, which now accommodates a glass box for nesting birds. The living room has fabulous glazed double windows overlooking the gardens to the rear and side, wall and ceiling lighting, two central heating radiators, exposed and painted roofing timbers and further natural light from the conservation roof lights.
• BEDROOM ONE (east & south facing) 11'4 x 10'9 (3.45m x 3.28m) measurements to chimney breast recess With period fireplace surround, lovely view and aspect to the south and east, TV aerial point and central heating radiator.
• EN-SUITE SHOWER ROOM/WC Comprising corner shower cubicle with Grohe shower unit, close coupled wc, pedestal wash hand basin with mirror above and shaver strip light, spotlighting, Expelair unit, heated chrome towel rail and conservation light to the roof.
• BEDROOM TWO (east facing) 10'5 x 10'9 (3.17m x 3.27m) With central heating radiator, painted roof beam, conservation roof lights, built-in double wardrobe and telephone point.
• BATHROOM/WC With white three piece suite comprising panelled bath with shower above, pedestal wash hand basin with shaver strip light above, close coupled wc, heated chrome towel rail, wall lighting, spotlighting, Expelair unit and conservation roof light.
• BEDROOM THREE (east facing) 10'8 x 9'9 (3.26m x 2.97m) Currently used as a study and office, with central heating radiator, conservation roof light and painted wood beams.
• EXTERNALLY The gardens and grounds that surround The Linnels are extremely impressive and extend to approximately 12 acres. The main entrance to the house is via the local road, with a beech hedge boundary curving into the stone pillared entrance with electrically operated timber double gates connecting to the main house and Coach House. There is a separate rear entrance for vehicles to the rear of the Coach House and paddock. The principal gardens and grounds include a large pebbled courtyard and parking area to the front elevation, surrounded by stone rockery beds which give evergreen colour. There is a pleasant kitchen courtyard and paved area to the west, whilst the old original entrance to the house was from the east, where a pedestrian gate leads via a gravelled path adjacent to the bridge to the eastern entrance porch. This entrance is particularly picturesque being adjacent to the river and with a variety of azaleas surrounding the stepped terraces. To the corner of this boundary there is an old stone arbour under a pitched tiled roof which looks over Devil's Water and the embankments of the river. The view is very impressive and will be particularly enjoyed during the summer months. The stone Grade II* listed mill lies adjacent to the house and is constructed over the terrace of the embankment onto the river. The mill race that connected the river in previous days now provides a variety of mill ponds connecting into the race itself and through to the mill. Linnels Mill is an important 17th Century hurst-frame mill which, whilst now redundant having closed in the late 19th Century, encapsulates a feel for the past with the machinery still in-situ and the race and weir still surviving. Pathways lead alongside the mill race through the informal riverside woodland, where Rhododendron and other shrubs intermingle, to the weir at the edge of the property, creating a wildlife haven and a very private and tranquil area. The principal gardens are set out to the south and western elevation of the house, with a lovely timber deck at the foreground, adjacent to the orangery and conservatory. There is attractive external lighting with pretty flower borders surrounding the stone rockery beds. The rhododendrons and azaleas that surround these gardens are very impressive. The acacia trees and many mature trees that surround the grounds are also equally colourful in season. The higher level lawned garden is ideal as a family recreation area and lies adjacent to a beech hedge boundary that surrounds the old lawned tennis court. There is an aluminium framed greenhouse with flowering blossom cherry tree and small enclosed kitchen garden, two oil tanks and propane gas stores. To the south of the house the gardens surround the banks of the river, where there are fishing rights; there are also the disused remnants of an old swimming pool, believed to be a breeding pool for trout. The walkways that run down to the river are particularly impressive and idyllic in the summer months. There is a rhododendron walkway which is stunning in season. The mature evergreen firs, silver birch, beech and oak trees frame the garden in a majestic fashion and give credibility to the property's history and grandeur. The mill race has a number of bridges and pathways leading into the centre island and quarry, where the stones for the house are understood to have been taken. The woodland flowers and garlic give a tremendous scent to this area. The wild orchard is situated to the west of the boundaries and is carpeted with snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells in season. The pathways continue along the mill race to the south west boundary of the grounds. The property has the benefit of two paddocks; one is on the same level as the house and is known as the western paddock. It has two timber stables and a large timber constructed store room and workshop. The workshop is very substantial in size 20' x 46'  (6.1m x 14m) and is constructed on the footprint of old original stables and its cobbled floor. It would be a very good base for the construction of a new stabling block if required. The paddock is surrounded by an embankment stocked with rhododendrons and beautiful tall trees which leads up to the higher level paddock. This paddock is L shaped and has partial fencing and a separate gated access. Adjacent to the main entrance of the house, The Linnels has an embankment leading down to the river, with fence enclosure and accommodating the WPL Diamond Sewage Treatment Plant.

property reference: SANC999000272

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