The Property
Dating from 1836 and standing proudly beside the green in the heart of Tudhoe Village, Ivy House is a beautifully crafted stone cottage with a warm, decorative interior and far-reaching views toward the fields and paddocks behind. The house combines traditional vernacular charm with a thoroughly personal sense of style, offering five reception rooms, four bedrooms, and a garden that curves gently around the property—punctuated by fruit trees, well-stocked borders, and quiet corners to sit and take in the setting. 

Inside, the tone is both comfortable and carefully considered, with bespoke touches throughout. Farrow & Ball painted cabinetry features in several rooms, including the formal sitting room, where deep green alcoves frame a period fireplace with a gas burner. A second central reception room/hallway with open hearth leads through to the dining room and adjoining kitchen: a hand-built Neptune Henley design with snow-painted cabinetry, oak accents, and Verona quartz worktops. A large central peninsula defines the cooking and eating areas, while a bifold pantry dresser, two Siemens fridge freezers, twin Neff dishwashers, and a six-burner Rangemaster make it fit for serious use. French doors from the kitchen lead to the rear courtyard and outdoor seating area. Beyond, a separate scullery with Bamburgh taps keeps the main kitchen clear for entertaining. 

Two further living spaces—used as a study and a lounge—offer relaxed versatility and are finished with log burners and hardwood floors. There’s also a dedicated boot room, a guest WC, and ample built-in storage tucked away across the ground floor. 

Upstairs, the principal bedroom is generous and bright, with dual sash windows, garden views, and access to the family bathroom. This includes a freestanding slipper bath, twin sinks set into an antique-style vanity, and a large walk-in steam shower framed by panelling and travertine tiles. Two further bedrooms have en-suite shower rooms, and the fourth—currently used as a study—features a playful floral mural and dual-aspect views across the gardens and rooftops of the village. 

Externally
The gardens sweep around the house with gated access from multiple points and a wonderful sense of enclosure. To the front, the property faces south across the green, framed by protected chestnut trees and edged with blossom. A stone wall and ornamental fencing define the boundary, while to the rear, the planting becomes more structured—an arched walkway, tulip beds, and box hedging leading through to a lawned courtyard with paved seating area. Further on, the driveway leads to a timber-clad outbuilding housing a wood-on-concrete garage and workshop, alongside additional garden sheds and raised vegetable beds. Beyond the fence line are uninterrupted views across open paddocks, with the central tower of Durham Cathedral visible on clear days.