* Freehold
* Historic property
* Grade II* Listed
* 6 Bedrooms
* 3 Receptions
* 3 Bathrooms
* Walled garden paddocks
* Outbuildings
* About 1. 8 acres
Historical note
Unthank Hall is a Grade II* listed residence, unusually configured in an
L - shape. Pevsner described it as a ‘handsome building constructed in the 17th
century yet with older fabric and walled yards and gardens’, and it remains
today one of the oldest unaltered L - shaped manor houses in the North of
England.
There are references to a house existing on the site before 1200 and
explicitly 'the manor of Unthank' from 1395. Many interesting features are
evident throughout the house, indicating origins dating back to the 16th, 17th
and 18th century; the purist will note the Tudor - arched fireplace, additional
stone fireplaces, mullioned windows, flagstone floors, exposed beams, and wall
panelling.
In Bishop Skirlaw’s time, William de Marley the Elder, is said to have lost
his life when the manor was seized by William Maddison of Aldergill. The
property subsequently descended to the Westgarth family, the last of whom
married Henry Hildyard in 1780. Since that time, the house has remained in the
Hildyard family, whose other properties included Horsley Hall and the Estate
nearby, Stokesley Manor House and Hutton Bonville Hall. Therefore it may be
claimed that this is the first time that Unthank Hall has been sold on the
open market for at least 400 years.
The property
Unthank Hall is a substantial Grade II* listed residence, offering a unique
opportunity for those seeking a property of immense character and charm; a
truly rural idyll. The house is admirably situated on the southern bank of the
River Wear, with views towards the Weardale Hills, and the tranquil rural
setting belies its proximity to local amenities.
The delightful gardens and grounds provide an ideal setting for the house and
combine to create a most appealing and fascinating home that is at one with
its surroundings. The house, exuding a high level of architectural appeal,
showcases a distinctive entrance porch with five - light mullioned windows, and
a stone flagged roof with a large stepped chimney at the rear. Whilst well
considered and sympathetic renovation is evident throughout, the house would
benefit from further modernisation and would suit those seeking to put their
own stamp on it. This is a unique, relaxed home where the sense of the
building’s history is ubiquitous and conveys a sense of calm and tranquillity.
The ground floor accommodation is entered via a reception hall and includes a
well - proportioned drawing room with exposed wood flooring, a traditional open
fireplace with log grate, a sash window with built - in seating and working
window shutters. Across the hall is a family room with flagstone flooring,
built - in window seating and a striking Tudor - arched inglenook fireplace with a
multi - fuel stove. There is also a spacious sitting room with timber wall
panelling, exposed wooden flooring, an open fireplace, and twin sash windows
with working shutters.
The adjacent kitchen/breakfast room is spacious and features flagstone
flooring, a range of wall and base units, Belfast sink and a fireplace with
bread oven and wood burning stove.
A generous fitted utility room, and a cloakroom completes the accommodation on
the ground floor.
Accessible via a stone winder staircase in the reception hall and a separate
winder staircase rising from the kitchen, the first floor accommodation,
featuring a wealth of wall panelling, is arranged around a large landing with
a fireplace and provides four spacious double bedrooms, all with fireplaces,
and one with an adjoining room that could be utilised as a dressing room or
additional bedroom.
There is also a family bathroom featuring a claw footed stand - alone bath, and
a separate family shower room on this floor, whilst the upper level plays host
to a bedroom with an en suite shower room, three further bedrooms, and two
attic rooms that could be renovated to provide two additional bedrooms. />
The property is approached over a gravelled driveway providing parking
for multiple vehicles and affording access to a large external store.
Extending to 1. 80 acres, the grounds comprise two spacious stone - walled garden
paddocks, a flagstone yard and a more formal garden which envelopes the house
to the north and west.
Various spots within the grounds provide ideal entertaining and ‘al fresco’
dining space and take full advantage of the far reaching views over
surrounding countryside and a path, planted with various shrubs to each side
paves the way to the North where a gate opens onto a small road and the River
Wear.

Unthank Hall occupies a stunning position to the south of the
River Wear on the fringes of the small countryside village of Stanhope, an
increasingly popular tourist destination set in the Weardale Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The village offers a wide range of day - to - day amenities including a local
shopping, public houses, gp and dental surgeries, a pharmacist and a popular
primary school. More extensive shopping, leisure and recreational facilities
can be found in Bishop Auckland, Barnard Castle and Durham and Newcastle upon
Tyne city centre and its airport are within easy reach.
Communications links are excellent: The A689 provides easy access east to
Wolsingham before joining the A68 trunk road which leads north to the Tyne
Valley and south towards Darlington and the A1, the A1(M) gives easy access to
the national motorway network and Bishop Auckland station offers regular
services to Edinburgh, Leeds and York and a journey time to London Kings Cross
of just over three hours.
The area offers a good range of state schooling including Stanhope Barrington
C of E Primary School in the village and Wolsingham School together with
Barnard Castle independent school.

Property location on the map: Use mouse double click to (Zoom IN: LEFT button; Zoom OUT: RIGHT button)

Similar properties: