THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY
A Victorian former manse in Upper Burnmouth makes a compelling family home Frances Wilson’s grandson calls her home a ‘castle’, and it’s easy to see why, given the property’s crow-stepped gables, red pantiled roof, sandstone detailing and turreted entrance. This mini castle was, in fact, built as the manse for Upper Burmouth in 1870 and remained in church hands until 1960 when the last minister retired and it was sold, at which point its official name was changed from ‘The Manse’ to ‘The Old Manse’. The house had a major upgrade in the 1970s, however when Frances and her husband Andy bought it 18 months ago it was a repossession and the interior was badly in need of some care and attention, to say nothing of several skips to remove the rubbish that had accumulated. “Despite the state it was in we loved it at first sight,” recalls Frances. “ The house itself is lovely, the grounds are beautiful and it’s very peaceful. We have since found out that quite a few weddings were held here when it was a manse,” she adds. “From upstairs there are stunning views of the sea – I use the original wooden window shutters and that’s all, as the house’s elevated setting ensures complete privacy and I can lie in bed and see the sea.”
Entered at an angle – the turret houses a beautiful wooden staircase – the ground floor layout has a spacious hall with cloakroom off, front-facing drawing room with bay window, sitting room/fourth bedroom, formal dining room and large dining kitchen with doors to the hall and dining room and rear garden. Upstairs, are three spacious double bedrooms (all with built-in wardrobes), and the family bathroom, where the white fittings incorporate a large oval-shaped bath and separate tiled shower cubicle. The rooms are all spacious and beautifully proportioned and original features include working window shutters, panelled doors, an open fire in the drawing room with a decorative white surround and dark grey marble hearth and inlay, and another lovely fireplace in the dining room, this one fitted with a Living Flame fire. The kitchen is stunning, fitted with beech wall and base units that have blue panel door inserts, long aluminium handles and are topped by polished granite worktops. Fittings include a new stinless steel fivering gas hob, double electric oven and grill and matching extractor with integral lighting.
The Wilsons have carried out essential repairs and maintenance to the fabric of the building and made numerous improvements elsewhere, including installing a new combi boiler, upgrading the kitchen and re-decorating throughout.
There is also an integrated fridge and plumbing for a washing machine and dishwasher. Windows on three sides of the room makes it a particularly bright space, while the two-tone chequered tiled splashback is echoed in the beautiful diamond-check wood floor.
Wow factor usually comes from inside but the Old Manse is, as Frances, experienced, the kind of property you fall in love with in a heartbeat, long before you cross the threshold.
Storage is plentiful throughout, especially upstairs where in addition to every bedroom having built-in wardrobes, there is an exceptionally large walk-in cupboard.
There are other attractions outside, notably the beautiful garden grounds that are walled on three sides for privacy and security. The front driveway sweeps past trees and lawns round to the front where there is a double garage with roller shutter doors and space for workbenches or storage, and a courtyard area. There are mature trees, shrubs, a washhouse/outbuilding, mono-bloc paving and a sizable patio, planted rockery, raised lawn with planted flower beds – and one feature sure to delight children, a rectangular trampoline recessed into the ground making it on a level with the grass. Alternatively, the trampoline could be removed and the space used to make a garden pond. The Old Manse is quite simply a beautiful family home in an equally beautiful village setting close to the coast, the A1 and within easy reach of Eyemouth and Berwick-upon-Tweed. Who could resist?
The Old Manse Upper Burnmouth Offers Over £325,000 Details on page 18
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