THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY
Well named, Crown Lane House is one of Jedburgh’s property gems Crown Lane House is one of those rare properties that seems to have it all - great location, good looks, spacious accommodation, the character that comes from age, and a beautifully upgraded interior. It also has an intriguing past that makes it a subject for conversation even today. Built in 1855 as a branch of the City of Glasgow Bank,which went out of business two years later, this B-listed town house is nowadays one of Jedburgh’s best kept secrets, although it has previously been the Provost’s house, Registrar’s office, and a bed and breakfast business. Tucked away in a quiet yet convenient town centre location just off the high street, which puts all the town’s amenities within walking distance, it has the unexpected advantage of an enclosed sun trap garden that is ideal for children and pets - and currently enjoyed to the max by resident chickens, two cats, a dog and three children. Buying the property in 1999 was a leap of faith for Paul and Jane Flynn, as they were not from the area and didn’t know anyone in Jedburgh. But having fallen in love with the house, the fact that it was midway from Jane’s parents’ home in Newcastle and Paul’s work in Edinburgh seemed ideal and they bought it. “What attracted us was the external appearance - classic in style, symmetric in shape and built from beautiful coloured stone - with large, well proportioned rooms and lots of period features, including fireplaces, plasterwork, pine panelled doors and working window shutters,” says Paul.
Since then, the Flynns have upgraded the house without compromising its character and integrity or sacrificing any of its original features. Major projects undertaken have included creating a spacious en suite shower room off the master bedroom in what would have originally been a maid’s bedroom, and knocking two rooms into one to make a large and more family friendly kitchen/dining room. Other improvements included installing patio doors and a multi-fuel stove in the sitting room; a new Magnet oak kitchen with peninsular unit and Corian worktops; new family bathroom; oak flooring in the hall, new carpets and Karndean flooring in the bathrooms; and re-decorating throughout. The result is an exceptionally spacious and very attractive two-storey family home. The accommodation includes a vestibule and hallway, cloakroom, sitting room with french doors to the garden, large kitchen/dining room, and a sizable utility/boot room with doors to both the front and back gardens. Upstairs are four double bedrooms - the main bedroom with storage and steps down to a 14ft en suite shower room - family bathroom, and a study/fifth bedroom. Having previously been a Registrar’s office, Crown Lane House holds many memories for those who were married here - in the sitting room, which was the room used for ceremonies.
“A Dutch couple visited recently with their family and told us their story,” says Paul. “It transpired they had eloped, got a licence and were married here.” Outside, in addition to the well maintained and easily managed gardens, there is a large shed/workshop and an area at the front that could be used for off-street parking - there is also a vehicular right of way along Crown Lane. Well placed for access to other Border town, Jedburgh’s close proximity to the A68 also makes it easily commutable to both Edinburgh and south, to Newcastle upon Tyne.
Crown Lane House Crown Lane, Jedburgh Guide Price £315,000 Details on page 18
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