Bar Harbor Farm, Butterknowle, County Durham

Accommodation in Brief
Ground Floor
Entrance Hall | Hallway | Lounge | Family/Games Room | Reading Room | Study | Kitchen/Dining Room | Conservatory | Pantry | Utility Room | Boot Room | Cloakroom/WC | Triple Bay Garage

First Floor
Principal Bedroom with Dressing Room & En Suite | Bedroom with En Suite | Two Further Double Bedrooms | Family Bathroom

Externally
Gardens | Pond & Stream | Extensive Parking | Gated Driveway | Timber Outbuilding | Approx 6 Acres of Land

The Property
Bar Harbor Farm is a substantial period farmhouse occupying a wonderfully private rural position near Butterknowle. Dating back to the 1800s, the house has been extensively extended and modernised, creating generous accommodation that retains much of the character of the original building while offering the space and practicality required for contemporary living. The setting is a particular strength, with mature gardens, with large pond, paddock and far-reaching views across open countryside. Exposed stonework and other original details contribute to the farmhouse character, while the later additions have introduced a light, spacious arrangement.

The approach immediately establishes a sense of privacy. Wrought-iron gates open onto a long gravelled driveway enclosed by mature hedging and trees, leading towards the house and an extensive parking and turning area. A further gated entrance serves the garage courtyard, where the stone elevations, traditional pantile roof and surrounding dry-stone walling sit naturally within the agricultural landscape.

Inside, the entrance hall provides one of the house's most distinctive architectural moments. Extending through two storeys, the space combines solid oak flooring with a substantial exposed stone wall, while rooflights introduce natural light from above. The original masonry provides a strong visual connection to the farmhouse's history and contrasts well with the more contemporary detailing introduced during the later alterations.

The lounge is a particularly generous reception room, centred around a substantial stone inglenook fireplace housing a cast-iron, multi-fuel stove. An exposed ceiling beam reinforces the farmhouse character, while broad windows look towards the gardens. Its proportions allow for several seating arrangements without compromising the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the room.

Beyond, the ground floor provides a further collection of reception spaces, giving the house considerable flexibility. The family and games room offers a more informal setting, while the reading room offers a relaxing space with French doors opening directly outside. A separate study provides a useful dedicated workspace, supported by ultrafast fibre optic broadband.

The open plan kitchen and dining area is the largest everyday living space and extends to over 36 feet in length. Shaker-style cabinetry is paired with timber worktops featuring solid oak upstands and a large central island, incorporating further preparation space, seating and a large sink. A stainless-steel range cooker sits beneath an oversized framed mirror, adding depth to the room, while a sliding timber door leads through to a separate pantry. The scale of the room comfortably accommodates both ample dining and relaxed seating, with new windows and French doors drawing the surrounding countryside into the interior.

Bi-folding doors open directly into the conservatory, a light-filled addition with extensive glazing, a pitched glazed roof and an exposed stone wall retained from the original house. There is ample space for both seating and dining, while further French doors open onto the garden terrace, making this an especially attractive room throughout the warmer months.

Practical accommodation is equally well provided. A generous utility room sits alongside the kitchen, while the adjoining boot room incorporates extensive fitted storage, seating and a cloakroom/WC. Internal access leads directly into the triple bay garage, providing excellent storage, workshop space and secure parking.

The first floor is arranged across two wings, giving the bedroom accommodation enhanced privacy. The principal suite occupies the western side of the house and is exceptionally spacious, with rooflights and a broad window looking across the surrounding countryside. A substantial dressing room sits alongside, together with an en suite shower room.

A further double bedroom within this wing also benefits from an en suite, while two additional double bedrooms are positioned within the eastern side of the house. Both are generously proportioned and are served by the family bathroom, where a freestanding roll-top bath is positioned beneath a wide window overlooking the paddock and neighbouring fields.

Externally
The gardens provide an attractive setting for the house, combining established planting, broad lawns and carefully positioned seating areas. Immediately behind the property, a stone terrace offers space for outdoor dining and entertaining, while mature hedging, trees and fencing create privacy around the principal garden.

A large pond with carp forms an important feature within the grounds and is fed by a natural stream leading to a waterfall, with established marginal planting softening its edges. From here, views extend back towards the stone elevations of the farmhouse and beyond towards open countryside. The questionnaire also identifies the pond, stream, waterfall and adjoining field as notable features of the grounds.

To the side of the house is an extensive gravelled courtyard providing substantial parking and access to the integral triple garage. A separate timber outbuilding offers useful additional storage.

The overall holding extends to just over 6.5 acres, including approximately 6 acres of land to the rear, with the remainder comprising the landscaped gardens and grounds surrounding the house. The private road leading to Bar Harbor Farm also belongs to the property and is accessed only by the neighbouring dwellings.

Local Information
Bar Harbor Farm occupies a peaceful rural position close to Butterknowle, surrounded by the attractive countryside of south-west County Durham. Butterknowle provides a useful range of local amenities, including a primary school, village hall, medical practice and public houses, while a wider choice of shops, services and facilities including secondary schools can be found in Staindrop, Barnard Castle and Bishop Auckland.

The surrounding area is particularly well suited to outdoor pursuits. Hamsterley Forest offers extensive walking, cycling and riding routes, while the landscapes of Teesdale and Weardale are also within easy reach. Further west, High Force and Low Force are among the best-known natural landmarks in Upper Teesdale. Raby Castle, with its historic parkland, walled gardens and deer park, provides another notable attraction close by.

For wider amenities, the historic market town of Barnard Castle offers independent shops, cafés, restaurants and cultural attractions, while Bishop Auckland provides a broader range of retail, leisure and everyday services. The position therefore combines a genuinely rural setting with convenient access to established towns and some of County Durham's most attractive countryside.

Approximate Mileages
Butterknowle 1.5 miles | Raby Castle 4 miles | Hamsterley Forest 5 miles | Bishop Auckland 11 miles | Barnard Castle 12 miles | Low Force 17 miles | High Force 19 miles

Services
Mains Electricity, Mains Water, Septic Tank Drainage. Heating: Oil Fired Central Heating. Cooking: Dual fuel (LPG gas hob/electric range cooker)

Tenure
Freehold

Council Tax
Band F

Wayleaves, Easements & Rights of Way
The property is being sold subject to all existing wayleaves, easements and rights of way, whether or not specified within the sales particulars.

Agents Note to Purchasers
We strive to ensure all property details are accurate, however, they are not to be relied upon as statements of representation or fact and do not constitute or form part of an offer or any contract. All measurements and floor plans have been prepared as a guide only. All services, systems and appliances listed in the details have not been tested by us and no guarantee is given to their operating ability or efficiency. Please be advised that some information may be awaiting vendor approval.

Submitting an Offer
Please note that all offers will require financial verification including mortgage agreement in principle, proof of deposit funds, proof of available cash and full chain details including selling agents and solicitors down the chain. To comply with Money Laundering Regulations, we require proof of identification from all buyers before acceptance letters are sent and solicitors can be instructed.

Disclaimer
The information displayed about this property comprises a property advertisement. Finest Properties strives to ensure all details are accurate; however, they do not constitute property particulars and should not be relied upon as statements of fact or representation. All information is provided and maintained by Finest Properties.

EPC Rating: C