THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY
A converted church in Nenthorn could be the answer to your prayers Anyone looking for a truly unique home would do well to consider a conversion – particularly a church conversion, which if well done, can make a quirky home of immense character and appeal. The Old Church at Nenthorn, a few miles north of Kelso, fits the bill perfectly. Imaginatively converted in the mid 1970s (the building ceased being a church in 1971) it has everything you would expect and more – exposed stone feature walls, original double arched doors and stone flagged floor, quirky split-level layout, magnificent stone archways, windows in different shapes and sizes from circular through to arched and leaded – and stunning southerly views across the Tweed Valley and beyond. It was a combination of views and the sheer magnitude of space inside the building that motivated Andrew and Honor Lee to buy the property 17 years ago. “In particular we loved the enormous semi open-plan ground floor, the high ceilings, and the staircase,” says Honor. “It’s also a great party house – and the acoustics are superb.” When the Lees bought the three/four bedroomed property it required upgrading and early improvements made included the installation of a fireplace and chimney, replacing part of the kitchen, and fitting new bathrooms. However, the most dominant feature is the actual building and the way the interior has been arranged on different levels. There is no hall as such; the original arched double doors open into a small vestibule area and on into what was originally the singlestorey vestry attached to the church. Still with the original stone flagged floor and beamed ceiling, this is now a delightful dining kitchen with country-style units, recessed leaded windows (with working shutters), and a solid fuel stove, in addition to a dishwasher, Belfast sink, fridge and electric cooker.
The kitchen leads into the ‘body of the kirk’, a very large semi open-plan space incorporating a study with polished wooden floor, a 21ft living area with a multi-fuel stove and magnificent vaulted window overlooking the rear garden. On a slightly lower level, three steps down from the living room, is a similarly spacious 19ft dining area with two recessed arched windows. Completing the ground floor accommodation is a tucked away third bedroom at the side of the house, a lovely room with an original wood -panelled door and panelled dado; a shower room, which has partly exposed stone walls, wood flooring, and a separate laundry area; and a useful storage room/utility. A carpeted pine staircase leads upstairs and here too the arrangement is unconventional. The church originally had two ‘Laird’s lofts’, one of which is now a mezzanine TV room/bedroom. Up on the first floor landing is a very large 25ft long main bedroom with exposed beams, partly combed ceiling, and two dormer windows revealing outstanding views across the countryside to the Cheviots. On a lower level a few steps down from the bedroom in what would have been the second Laird’s loft, is an attractive and unusual en suite bathroom.
Semi-open-plan to the bedroom but done in such a way that it is still quite private, the bathroom has a lovely recessed leaded window, exposed stonework, and is fitted with a reclaimed enameled bath and washbasin. The second upstairs bedroom is also quirky – a twin room, its split-level layout means each bed is on a different level divided by wooden steps. This room also has a beautiful circular window. Outside, the mature gardens include a sheltered seating area paved to one side, while the enclosed back garden, which can be accessed from the kitchen, includes a timber shed, dog kennel and run, and off-road parking for two vehicles. Unusually, there is no graveyard within the grounds – the graveyard goes with a much older church nearby. This amazing home has charm, character, unique features, abundant space and a great location within easy reach of Kelso. What’s not to love ?
The Old Church Nenthorn, Kelso Asking Price £230,000 Details on page 31
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