Eldwick barn conversion brings rural living close to village amenities

MANY of us aspire to living a rural life but it can be problematic if it’s five miles to the nearest shop for a pint of milk.

Brockle Lodge in High Eldwick would be the perfect home – offering the best of both worlds.

“We fell in love with the fabulous views and outdoor space yet although we couldn’t see them, we were close enough to all the amenities we could need.”

It was eight years ago that the current owners fell in love with this three bedroomed barn which was converted into a charming home in the 1930s.

The current owners have also put their stamp on this beautifully presented home. “We’ve added a full width extension to the rear, a bespoke kitchen, decorated all the rooms, and laid a new drive.”

The double glazing was replaced around two years ago and more recently a new sewage treatment plant was installed.

The work carried out is a credit to the owners – a charming mix of character with a modern twist. There’s a lovely feeling of space which is accentuated by the neutral décor with a high standard not commonly found in homes of this period.

What’s more – this is what could be called a ‘turn key’ house. All the new owners would have to do is move in, unpack, and enjoy this lovely home.

On the ground floor off the inner hallway is a spacious lounge, with a solid fuel stove set in a feature brick fireplace – a cosy space just made for winter evenings.

You enter the house into the breakfast kitchen – an l-shaped space – at the end of which is the new extension, which comprises a dining/sitting room.

The bespoke breakfast kitchen is a beautifully modern space with wall and base units with coordinating work tops, range cooker, integrating fridge/freezer, dishwasher and washing machine, Karndean flooring, spotlights, a useful under stairs pantry and a recently fitted oil fired boiler.

This is truly the heart of the home, with its exposed stone wall, solid fuel burning stove, three rooflights, patio doors and lovely large windows which make the best of the views over the gardens.

“The lounge is my wife’s favourite room, probably because it is a toy free zone, and very cosy, while mine is the breakfast kitchen and the living/dining room.”

Upstairs are three double bedrooms, all of which have stunning long distance views, a family bathroom and a separate WC.

The outside of this home is just as important to the owners as the interior.

The large garden plot includes an allotment area, two sheds – one with electric - while at the back the extensive garden enjoys superb south facing views, formal lawns, and a variety of fruit trees and bushes.

The fantastic gardens and allotment area are ideal for keen gardens and a great space for children to play – all with panoramic distant views.

“There’s a greenhouse, three apple trees, one pear tree, redcurrants, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries, and the children have plenty of space to ride their bikes and play, all in perfect safety.

“My abiding memory of our time here will be the views and the peace. You can sit outside and hear nothing but the sound of a variety of bird species, including Red Kites, and at night because there is less light pollution, the stars seem to shine so brightly.”

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