Townhead Farm, Iveston Village, County Durham, DH8

The hamlet of Iveston is situated in a convenient and picturesque setting amidst open countryside and from its elevated position offers spectacular views over the surrounding area. The village of Lanchester is situated 4 miles to the south, offering a range of amenities including both primary and secondary schooling, shops and a range of public houses and restaurants. The surrounding countryside offers a network of public footpaths and bridle ways with the attractions of the Durham Dales being easily accessible. For the commuter the A68 road can be joined in less than ten
minutes’ drive, whilst Durham and Newcastle are within twenty minutes by car and have national mainline train stations with direct links to London.

Townhead Farm Complex
Townhead House is a substantial detached family dwelling which is approached over a beautiful tree lined driveway and has been in the same family ownership for over 40 years having been vastly improved and extended. The property has been thoughtfully presented with a flexible layout to offer excellent accommodation in this magnificent stately home, with stunning views over the surrounding countryside.

Grand double solid wood door leads into the entrance hall with exposed stone wall, tiled floor and wooden spiral staircase leading to the separate annexed accommodation. A modern cloakroom/WC is adjacent, fitted with vanity enclosed wash hand basin, inset WC, floors and wall are tiled. A doorway from the hallway also leads to the general purpose/store room, which houses cupboards for the water tank and oil fired boiler and is fitted with a range of wall and base mounted storage units and stainless steel sink and drainer. Access from the entrance hall, leads to the first of two large, double-glazed conservatories. With tiled and under floor heating together with two sets of French doors leading to the sun terrace. From the hall is an open plan dining kitchen. The dining area is well lit by French doors to the terrace, overlooking the outdoor arena and countryside. The kitchen area has a duel aspect both north and south and is lit by a suspended bay window. The floor is laid to tiles with under floor heating. The room is fitted with an excellent range of high-quality wall and base mounted storage and display units, finished in a light wood and white frontage and are under lit with spotlights. There are also kick board heaters providing additional heating. The base units are topped with granite work surfaces incorporating a stainless-steel sink and drainer unit. There is also a useful centre island unit and breakfast bar, topped with granite surface with integrated sink unit and flexible pull-out spray tap and integral double wine fridge. The focal point of the room is the 6-ring gas ‘Britannia’ range style cooker, with large extractor hood. The kitchen is serviced with integral appliances including a microwave, dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer. There is also space for a freestanding American style fridge freezer. A delightful breakfast eating area is situated adjacent to the kitchen and separated by 2 steps.

Leading from the kitchen is a central hallway which once served as the property’s main entrance. The hallway allows access to a second modern WC including a white low-level WC. The hallway has a solid wood staircase that leads to the first-floor accommodation and is currently utilised as a study, it also has double doors leading to the formal dining room and the living room. The dining room is situated to the front of the property and is lit by two UPVC double glazed windows with window seating. A wood and marble fireplace provides additional warmth from a gas fire. From the dining room double doors lead into the living room. The sitting room is to the rear of the property and has a large feature stone fireplace with gas inset fire and two full-length double-glazed windows and French doors leading into the second of the conservatories. The second conservatory is double glazed with a clear glass roof, utilised as a further reception room from which to enjoy the exquisite views. Three sets of French doors lead out onto the rear garden providing an ideal space for summer entertainment. From the inner hallway and dining kitchen there is a further garden room. Full length windows allow the room to be flooded with natural light and a door leads to the rear garden.

With its own access via a wooden spiral staircase from the entrance hallway is the separate annex. At the head of the staircase lies a multipurpose room of excellent proportion which is currently used as a media/cinema room. It has solid wood panelling to the walls offering the feeling of a ‘Ralph Lauren’ style showroom with dual aspect windows. There is a bar with pumps, under bar shelving and small stainless-steel sink. This makes an ideal space for either entertaining or as separate living accommodation and currently has a full-size snooker table in. A private study is accessible from the cinema room through an adjacent door. Windows to three sides enjoy the dramatic views. The cinema room is also serviced by its own bathroom with separate WC. A door leads to a separate shower cubicle which is fitted with a ‘Forcelo’ multi jet shower system. There is also the added luxury of a sauna.

Stairs rise from the first floor to the sleeping accommodation of the annex. There are two double bedrooms, one with fitted wardrobes including overhead storage and another which could be used as a living room if required and has access into further roof storage space. The two bedrooms share a modern wet room. It has fully tiled walls and floor there is an open plan shower with chrome mains fed overhead shower with fitted glass shower screen, wood effect high gloss vanity unit with inset sink and low-level WC. The room and towels are warmed by two chrome heated towel rails.

The main solid staircase provides access to a spacious landing and to three further bedrooms and family bathroom. The large master suite has a huge range of fitted wardrobes and a built in wood dressing table. Leading from the master bedroom is a separate dressing room, with more fitted wardrobes and storage and another dressing table. A double-glazed window to the rear allows the room to be flooded with natural light. From here is the en-suite bathroom. Fitted with a high-quality suite which comprises a panel enclosed bath, wooden vanity unit housing double sinks, enclosed WC and a double shower unit with overhead rainfall showers to each side and tiled bottom with plain glass screen.

Off the landing are two further double bedrooms, both of which are situated to the north and south of the property and enjoy open views. Bedroom two enjoys a front and rear aspect filling the room with natural light, it has fitted wardrobes and dressing table. Bedroom three has fitted wardrobes and overhead storage. The family bathroom is well appointed with a modern white suite comprising a low level WC, wash hand basin enclosed in a vanity unit providing storage, a panel enclosed bath and separate shower cubicle. This delightful complex is equipped with excellent equestrian facilities including 20 loose boxes, separate rug, tack, laundry and staff rooms, horse solarium and washroom. An indoor arena with viewing area and kitchen/WC and an outdoor arena.

Additional land is available by way of negotiations.


External
The property is accessed via double electric gates which lead into a paved driveway area providing parking for several vehicles. To the left-hand side is a small open plan garden, laid to lawn and flower beds There are two double garages having he annex above and each with roller shutter doors and work benches. To the rear of the property there is a low maintenance garden laid to lawn and terrace area overlooking the outdoor arena and countryside.

Equestrian Facilities
Towheads’ equestrian facilities are second to none and benefit from their own separate access, again via double electric gate access. The excellent equestrian facilities have all been constructed and maintained to the highest of standards. The buildings are all situated within a large, concreted yard which is drained and bound with stone walls. This provides substantial staff and visitor parking. The main stable blocks comprise of steel portal frame buildings with intersecting access. There are 14 large stables boxes, each with rubber matting to the floor and half wall height. All the stables’ boxes have automatic drinks water and are maintained to an exceptional standard. Within the same buildings there is a self-enclosed tack room and also a staff room with kitchen units and facilities. There is a horse solarium which significantly add to the exceptional equestrian facilities the property has to offer. To either side of the portal framed buildings is a lean to, within these are stores, a further three large stable boxes, with rubber matting to the floor and walls. There is a laundry with a rug washing machine together with a self-enclosed rug store with wooden shelving throughout.

There is a further stable block of concrete block construction with three large stable boxes all of which have rubber matting to the floors and walls. There is an exceptional Andrew Bowen indoor arena measuring approximately 52m by 18m. The arena benefits from timber walls around its perimeter and is laid to sand the arena is housed within a large steel portal frame building with large sliding doors to the entrance from which a rubber matted floor leads up to the gated arena. At the end of the arena is a self-enclosed two storey visitor area, including a kitchen/recreation room with kitchen units and a servery bar and three separate arena viewing rooms to the first floor, and gentlemen's’ and ladies’ WC. All of these rooms benefit from central heating throughout and have been used as office space in the past. Attached to the arena building is a large lean to. With roller shutter doors to the entrance, this is insulated and well-lit inside providing an exceptional vehicle/machinery store and workshop. There is also an outside arena laid to sand with part stone wall and part timber fencing boundaries. The arena measures approximately 30m by 55m and benefits form flood lighting.

The property has the benefit of additional planning for the erection of a substantial building for agricultural or equestrian purposes

Land
Townhead Farm currently provides 21 acres but can provide up to 55 acres by separate negotiations.

Services
The property is serviced by an oil-fired central heating system and gas fires fuelled by Calor gas. To the front roof elevation, the property is fitted with an array of photo voltaic panels providing private electricity supply with surplus being fed to the National Grid. The owners of the property will receive payment from the National Grid for any surplus electricity which is fed to the grid. There is mains water with separate supplies to the main house, and buildings. Drainage is to a private septic tank located within the grounds of the property. There is mains electricity supply.

Cottages
There are three cottages at Townhead Farm which all are located within close proximity to each other and the main house.
Cottage One
The front entrance to the property is through the garden and leads into the living room with feature fire. From the living is the breakfasting kitchen which has a range of wall and base units with contrasting working surfaces plumbing for a washing machine. Leading from the kitchen the stairs rise to a half landing with back door and WC. To the first floor there are two double bedrooms, and family bathroom. To the second floor there is a third double bedroom.
Cottage Two
The front entrance to the property is through the garden and leads into the living room with feature fire and a central staircase leading to the first floor. From the living is the breakfasting kitchen is accessed via several steps and comprises of a range of wall and base units with contrasting working surfaces plumbing for a washing machine. To the first floor there are two double bedrooms and a family bathroom.
Cottage Three
The front entrance to the property is through the garden and leads into the living room with feature fire. From the living is the breakfasting kitchen which has a range of wall and base units, including breakfast bar, with contrasting working surfaces. To the rear of the kitchen there is also a large utility room, ideal for the storage of white goods. Leading from the kitchen there is also a separate dining room, or second reception room. To the first floor there are two double bedrooms, one of which has en-suite facilities and also a family bathroom.