Milbourne Hall
Constructed of Belsay Stone, which is flecked with nuggets of iron, and with origins believed to date back to 1807, Milbourne Hall is a magnificent Grade I listed property that still retains the grandeur of a bygone era, showcasing many character features and architectural detail as considered by the notable Scottish architect, John Paterson when designing the hall for Ralph Bates, who was soon to become High Sheriff of Northumberland.

These features include a distinctive central rotunda topped by a stunning dome, elegant sash windows with their original shutters, impressive ceiling heights with detailed cornicing, curved doors to fit into curved apertures and period fireplaces. Of notable interest and a rare find, is the symmetrical layout, oval rooms, oval staircase hall, and octagonal library; the interior has a unique appeal, and is styled to reflect the refined vintage of grand homes of the period. The property is unusually arranged around an octagonal courtyard and, as well as having its own guest apartment (in mid-refurbishment), also benefits from ancillary accommodation in the form of three self-contained carriage houses that offer the opportunity of a generous rental income. The hall is given an entry in Pevsner’s The Buildings of England where, amongst his observations on the oval rooms and geometric architecture, he describes the plan as ‘…ingeniously worked out so that nearly every room inside is oval’.

The property is approached via a long sweeping tree lined driveway that culminates in a large parking area to the front of the house; the sense of arrival is remarkable. A stone portico with paired Doric columns invites you to enter the house and successfully sets the tone and character of this astonishing building. As might be expected of a property of this calibre, the principal reception rooms are impressive and provide significant spaces for both formal and informal entertaining, possessing both pleasing proportions and fine detailing. The rooms radiate from a rotunda reception salon and include a richly opulent dining room, which provides the perfect setting for formal entertaining, and a sophisticated sitting room which, like the dining room, has a grand presence with four sets of sash windows, a carved wood fireplace, deep classical frieze and multi-moulded cornicing. The rotunda also opens into the kitchen, a sociable hub fitted with a range of bespoke units, granite work surfaces, integrated appliances, and a central island with an integral breakfast bar; an adjoining breakfast room provides informal dining space and, in addition to a large pantry room there is also a discreetly placed cloakroom.

The ground floor accommodation further comprises an octagonal library with built-in shelving and a marble fireplace.

On the first floor, which is accessed via a hidden return staircase with a hand-painted papered wall mural and a glazed domed ceiling, the rotunda galleried landing is flooded with natural light courtesy of the domed roof light. Many of the rooms enjoy wonderful views over the grounds and the accommodation includes a generously proportioned principal suite comprising a bedroom, a spacious and sumptuous bathroom featuring a fireplace, a centrally located stand-alone bath and a separate shower, and a dressing room that could be utilised as an additional bedroom. There are three further bedrooms within the main house on this floor, and a spacious Jack and Jill bathroom, also with a centrally positioned stand-alone bath and separate shower.

The main house provides access to a two-storey guest apartment. The current vendors began a programme of remodelling which remains partly completed and will allow the next owners to put their own stamp on it to include bathroom and kitchen suites. The accommodation here was to comprise two reception rooms, a generous open-plan kitchen, four bedrooms the principal of which having an ensuite shower room and dressing room and, to conclude a family bathroom and additional cloakroom/w.c. Whilst the apartment has been designed to be self-contained it could easily be re-incorporated back into the main house.

Carriage Houses
Three apartments are located around the octagonal courtyard, providing perfect bolt holes for visiting guests or the option of an income stream.

North Wing Carriage House
Arranged over two levels and comprising a sitting room, kitchen/dining room, store room, three bedrooms and a bathroom.

South Wing Carriage House
Located on the first floor and comprising a sitting room, kitchen, three bedrooms and a bathroom.

West Wing Carriage House
Situated on the ground floor and comprising a sitting room, study, kitchen, two bedrooms, a bathroom and a separate shower room.

Enjoying vista across the surrounding Northumberland countryside, Milbourne is a small peaceful hamlet, situated by the Mill Burn, a tributary of the River Pont, and is located just to the north-west of Ponteland, where there is a range of independent and high street shopping, a medical centre, leisure centre and golf club, as well as a high school. The privacy of the setting and yet convenience of the location to the local hubs of importance are some of the strongest attributes of the property. The nearby village of Belsay is an attractive hamlet, built as an estate village. It has an excellent village shop and regionally acclaimed primary school reported as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

The popular market town of Morpeth is easily accessible and provides excellent and varied shopping and supermarkets, along with a good mix of cafes and restaurants, and a mainline train station. Alternatively, the cities of Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead are within easy reach and offer comprehensive range of shopping, leisure and cultural amenities, including the Metro Centre, The Sage Concert Hall, The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and the Utilita Arena.

There is wide selection of independent schools in the vicinity including Newcastle School for Boys, Westfield, Dame Allan’s, Mowden Hall, Newcastle High School for Girls, Newcastle Preparatory and Royal Grammar School.

The property has easy access to the wide open spaces of Northumberland National Park, the Northumberland Heritage Coast and north to the Borders country. Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site is a short distance to the south and there is excellent hill walking in the area, including the 84 miles of walks on the Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail. Sporting opportunities abound in the area, and include championship golf courses at Ponteland, Matfen, Slaley, Close House and Gosforth Park. Excellent salmon and sea trout fishing can be found on the rivers Tyne and Coquet. The stunning Northumberland coast is close by and boasts many beautiful beaches.

The handsome façade of the house can be glimpsed through the trees along the length of the sweeping driveway. Amounting to 24.31 acres, the gardens and grounds are a spectacular feature of the property and offer unsurpassed levels of privacy and seclusion. They comprise a formal lawn, areas of mature trees and deep borders with shrubs, a secluded walled garden with traditional planting and sections left to natural growth, providing a haven for wildlife, as well as a freshwater flight pond which attracts wildfowl at dusk and an enclosed furrowed paddock. An area of paved terracing offers opportunities for outdoor dining and relaxation, and quiet spots for seating can be found in pockets around the gardens. A summer house located within the walled garden would make an ideal gathering spot and benefits from running water and electricity. A woodcutters shed to the rear is a useful outdoor workshop and log store. The setting is quintessentially English and beautifully tranquil.

The octagonal courtyard, with decorative pavers and areas of original cobblestone, is accessed under a tall water tower entrance with a round-headed pedimented carriage arch, affording access to stable units, garaging, stores and apartments.