The Old Vicarage, High Etherley, Bishop Auckland, County Durham

The Old Vicarage is a magnificent, detached period house, with Grade II listed status with Royal and Lord Armstrong of Cragside connections. The property has undergone a program of sympathetic improvements and renovations throughout the current owners' 28-year tenure, which the owner has documented. Dating from the 18th century the property features handsome sandstone elevations and more than 5,700 sq. ft of stunning living accommodation.

Period features include tall stone mullioned windows, high ceilings, wood panelling, ornate cornicing, window shutters and splendid original fireplaces and surrounds. The property offers versatile family accommodation and features five beautifully presented reception rooms in which to relax or entertain, including the well-proportioned drawing and sitting rooms at the front, the comfortable family room and the formal dining room with its intricate panelling and varnished floorboards.

A particular feature of the ground floor is the modern orangery with air conditioning, floor to ceiling windows and a large ceiling lantern skylight which floods the room with natural light. French doors open onto the beautiful gardens, perfect for al fresco dining. The heart of the home is the fabulous 21ft kitchen which benefits from underfloor heating, itself a modern extension and features stylish bespoke shaker units, a generous central island unit with seating and integrated appliances which include a coffee machine, hot water tap, built-in ovens, two wine coolers and a double oven, as well as a skylight overhead which fills the area with natural light. Up and down lighting with bespoke mirrors make for an attractive entertaining space. There is also space for a breakfast table. A sitting area with a multi-fuel stove adjoining the kitchen via a squared archway offers a cosy place to relax.

A separate staircase leads to the old servant quarters, Bedroom five and Bedroom six. Upstairs there are six double bedrooms, including the principal bedroom with its Jack and Jill entrance to one of the two large family bathrooms, both of which have bathtubs and separate shower units, one with jacuzzi bath, shower/sauna with a 43” smart mirror TV with Sky TV, Blu-ray DVD and surround sound speakers. The property offers eleven TV stations.

Additionally, the house benefits from two cellars, one vaulted dating to the post medieval period, both providing plenty of storage space.

Historical Interest Extensive research has been undertaken by the current owner and available as reference to interested parties.

The property was commissioned by the church in the late 1820’s – early 1830’s when the first reverend was appointed and resided at the property, the Rev George Watson. He began to raise funds to make improvements and additions to the property, one means of raising funds was to write a book of sermons. Through influential contacts, Royalty became aware which resulted in Queen Victoria purchasing 33 copies.

Etherley was the starting point of the first passenger railway in the world paving the path for the modern railway which celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2025.

Services: Mains electricity, gas, water, and drainage. Cat 5 cabling

At both entrances to the house, the gravel driveways provide access and plenty of parking spaces. The garden at the rear is approached through an impressive Moon Gate and has an area of lawn, bordered by mature trees. To the sides and rear, there are various separate spaces in which to relax, including two Belvederes, a paved terrace area with a beautiful Rhyl water feature, areas of immaculate lawn and peaceful meadow, two ponds, patio areas, gazebos, pergolas, and beds with various colourful flowering plants and shrubs. For ease of watering, a full watering system has been installed throughout the garden and in the polytunnel, which is automatically controlled.

There are also well-maintained hedgerows and a wealth of mature trees, creating a real sense of privacy. Additionally, the kitchen garden has raised beds for growing own produce, as well as a heated greenhouse and various stores for garden equipment. The gardens with expertise have been lovingly created in conjunction with landscape and plantsmen experts to create different flower displays that can be enjoyed all year round throughout all the seasons. No expense has been spared creating bespoke garden areas. Incorporated into these are many statues, urns, water features and metalwork. The owner has many photographs illustrating the gardens throughout the seasons which can be made available to any interested parties at viewings. (Please see separate garden plan and detail online). A detached two-car heated garage with electric doors and EV charger, separate utility and workshop offers the potential to create secondary accommodation, subject to planning. A further EV charger is located at the side of the property.

Gardens
Please see the garden map to locate the various garden rooms.
Italian garden and bespoke Moon Gate (1/2) - At the centre is a lighted walkway feature, that has at both ends dolphins which direct water into lotus bowls. Incorporated is the especially shaped grassed area and border which has surrounding lighting. Behind a stone walled enclosure with combined archway surrounding its bespoke blacksmith made Moon Gate. Enclosed are many ornate urns and Italian statues, two belvederes with seating/Bluetooth music/heating/lighting/power-outlets and the garden has many plants within the Italian theme.

Kitchen garden (3) – Populated with two greenhouses, one with a potting shed, a polytunnel with regulated irrigation system and raised beds. The greenhouses and polytunnel are supplied with electricity outlets, providing the means for lighting, heating and propagation.
Laburnum Walk (4) – one of the first projects to be undertaken in the garden. It incorporates extensively planted flower beds. Since its development, it has taken more than a decade to train the laburnum to the splendour it is today and is always a favourite every June.
Trellis Enclosure (5) – A garden enclosed by bespoke trellising, adorned by established climbing plants. The centrepiece is a circular, raised stone planted flower bed and statue.

Wildlife and formal ponds (6/8) – Comprises of two large ponds, one for wildlife and the other well stocked with fish. The wildlife pond with a Japanese themed garden is adjacent to the rose garden with lamppost lighting. There is a lit wood gazebo with seating and a bridge crossing. Adjacent to the orangery is the formal fishpond, constructed in the shape of a cross, all enclosed by beech hedging and adorned with planted urns and pots. Also, a large metal gazebo with seating. Additional wall lanterns and lamp posts illuminate the large gazebo area, pond and garden.

Rose garden (7) – Incorporated is a seating area, it has many different roses that have an abundance of scent blooms every year, included is box hedging and the surrounding areas are extensively planed with a variety of perennials.
Wayne Michael garden (9) – Expansively planted with six large ornate urns separated from a centrepiece buddha water feature. Its feature being in white stone the four-seasons statue figures on pedestal plinths placed at both entrances and three curved seating benches.

Versailles Garden (10) - Has low flowerbeds with centrepiece planted urns and a white stone lantern and seating area. Additionally, there is a combined rose and dahlia garden, all surrounded by extensive lawns and established trees.
Hobbit garden (11/12) – Has a bespoke door and Lord of the Rings hobbit theme, with planted rockery and trellising. Opposite is the wild meadow and Arts and Crafts garden sun-house.

The Old Tennis Court (13) – The gardens masterpiece is the magnificent display of rhododendrons, early display of spring flowering shrubs and views of the house from seating areas.

Ada rockery (15) – Rockery planting and lighting form a rockery statement piece which has steps in its structure that descend into the surrounding lower garden with a large decorative dovecote.

The Old Coach House – All the main structure has been renewed stone and incorporated is a leaded stained-glass window. Attached is the Victorian styled lean-to greenhouse with electricity, plant propagation heating, water and electric roof windows.


Security
The entrance to the property and to the gardens, enclosed by a stone wall is via two gated entrances with entry cameras, which can also be operated by remote control. Most of the garden areas have state of the art Hikvision CCTV. The house and the gardens are alarmed and linked to a monitored control centre.

The Old Vicarage lies in the heart of the small village of High Etherley, surrounded by County Durham countryside and within easy reach of the stunning North Pennines. The village provides several everyday amenities, including a pub, a village hall and the outstanding-rated Toft Hill Primary School, while the town of Bishop Auckland, the home of Auckland Castle, is less than three miles away. There are various facilities in the town, including a selection of high street shops, large supermarkets, restaurants, cafés and leisure facilities. Also, the home to the Auckland Project and Kynren. The town also offers a choice of state primary and secondary schooling, with independent schooling available in Durham.

The area is well connected by the network of A-roads, with the A1(M) within 10 miles. Rail service is available at Bishop Auckland with mainline services from Darlington and Durham.

‘The Auckland Project’, a charity working to regenerate the town through the arts, culture and heritage, to establish Bishop Auckland as a must-visit cultural destination.

The Story of the Auckland Project | The Auckland Project
‘Kynren’ – held yearly in Bishop Auckland. 11arches.com