The Property
Windy Hall is a gorgeous stone-built country house standing in a truly spectacular elevated location with seemingly endless views across the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This beautiful and substantial home is brimming with character and plentiful reminders of the history of the property. The original part of the house is believed to date from the late 17th or early 18th century. Records indicate that the property was altered towards the end of the 18th century when Alexander Featherstone lived at the property. His initials and a date of 1767 are carved into the stone lintel above the front door. His ancestors built Featherstone Castle a short distance down the valley and were related to the famous Harry Hotspur, and the Percy’s of Alnwick Castle.

A later west wing has recently been renovated, adding further elegant accommodation that marries perfectly with the original house. Restoration has used traditional lime pointing throughout, with thick lime and hemp internal insulation applied by hand. The house was fully re-roofed in stages between 2008, and 2014. The internal décor and specification is exceptional throughout, with stylish and tasteful touches at every turn. High quality contemporary fixtures and fittings combine with bright, attractive modern palettes, all chosen to blend seamlessly with traditional character features such as exposed stone walls, mighty wooden ceiling beams and period windows.

The ground floor accommodation is hugely spacious and welcoming, with the sitting/dining room at its heart. There is a comfortable seating area at one end, with a fabulous stone inglenook and substantial oak mantelpiece, that house both a wood burning stove and part of the original cast iron farmhouse range. Also within the inglenook is an arched stone niche and the original warming pan. The room has plenty of space for a dining area with a large table and chairs. The beautiful knotted solid oak flooring was made from a 600 year old tree felled in a storm locally. Twin windows, frame far-reaching views to the south and west.

The kitchen/breakfast room is wonderfully light and airy, with sliding French windows that open to the gardens at the side of the house. Sleek contemporary cabinetry provides an abundance of storage and workspace with another inglenook with a large wood burning stove. This is a warm and inviting room for day-to-day dining. Above the kitchen there is loft space that is fully insulated with flooring and lighting providing a large dry storage space via an easily accessible loft ladder. Accessed from the kitchen is the study, tucked away for quiet work and ideal for working from home.

Returning to the sitting/dining room, a door leads to a rear hall with access to a ground floor bedroom and a modern bathroom. Stairs rise with two turns to the first floor of the farmhouse where there are two generous double bedrooms and a separate dressing room. The dressing room can alternatively offer a perfect nursery. Both bedrooms benefit from breathtaking elevated views.

Moving through to the west wing there is further reception space in the drawing room. A full height picture window with elegant ornate stonework frames views that will never cease to amaze, and the triple aspect brings swathes of natural light. This is the perfect spot to escape alone at the end of a busy day, or to relax with family and friends.

The drawing room is reached via the utility/oot room which also links to a useful second kitchen and a well-appointed shower room. The shower room was converted to allow future installation of a sauna. A second staircase climbs to the first floor and two more double bedrooms. The magnificent principal bedroom has a soaring vaulted ceiling with exposed beams and a walk-in wardrobe to the rear. The room is designed to make the absolute most of the location; waking each morning brings panoramic views through another stone framed window. The bedrooms on this floor are served by a bathroom with teak floor reclaimed from the decks of a 19th century ship. The traditional suite comprises a freestanding copper bath, corner waterfall shower, wash hand basin set on a vanity unit and heated towel rail. A separate WC is adjacent to the bathroom.

The layout of the property allows for the two sides to be closed off from one another to form two distinct and self-contained living areas, each with reception space, kitchen facilities, bedrooms and bathrooms. Much of the furniture, fixtures and fittings may be available by separate negotiation.

Externally
The gardens at Windy Hall complement the house to perfection, with superbly maintained lawns and colourful borders, productive raised beds and a variety of areas to sit outside and take in the glorious surroundings. A flagged terrace runs across the front elevation, sheltered by the house and mature trees to provide al fresco dining and entertaining space with an incredible outlook. Drystone walls encircle the gardens and a former stone outhouse sits across the track leading to the property to offer useful storage.

Patches of established mature woodland threaded through by a small stream protect Windy Hall to the north west and south east, and also provide a haven for wildlife. There is an additional wooden log store and a small chicken house.

Agents Note
The property sits at the top of a rough track. The track climbs for around 230m and is not suitable for vehicles except 4x4s with good ground clearance. Do not attempt to drive other vehicles to the property. Park at the bottom of the track and proceed on foot. The current owners have always had the benefit of 4×4 vehicles but the deeds allow for any future owner to resurface and improve the access if so desired.

The current owners have a Landrover Defender pickup for access, which they will donate to the successful buyer. It is subject to a SORN but may be used for ferrying goods and materials up the access track which is private property.