Cottage in Richmond has prime location
Chestnut Cottage, The Green, Richmond £485,000 www.marcusalderson.co.uk
This Grade II listed cottage overlooks The Green, one of the most desirable areas in the historic town of Richmond.
The property, which dates to 1750, has been treated to a major renovation by owners Keith and Karen Hildred who bought the house just over five years ago after falling for its location and potential.
The couple have also converted an adjoining medieval barn, said to be the oldest building in this pretty enclave.
It is now a spacious and characterful kitchen/breakfast room, which retains its original vaulted ceiling.
“It was Karin who saw the potential to turn the barn into a kitchen,” says Keith.
The space has been thoughtfully transformed with bespoke kitchen cabinetry and integrated appliances and stone flooring warmed by underfloor heating, though the stars of the show are a 1953 Aga that has been converted to run on gas and the new 2.4m long Yorkshire sliding sash window made by a local company.
An extra large door leading outside was also commissioned and allowed the Hildreds to move their piano into the cottage.
When the weather permits, the Hildreds’ favourite place to sit is outside where an old cavern has been turned into an al fresco sitting and dining area.
There are also two elevated garden terraces and the upper one has spectacular rural views over the rooftops to Richmond Castle and Billy Bank Woods.
Leaving the cottage will be a huge wrench for Keith and Karin but they are leaving for good reasons.
“In the first lockdown we decided to give a home to a rescue dog and found a border collie but we realised that he really needs a big garden and we don’t have that here,” says Keith. “We are also mindful that as we grow older we will need a bungalow and so that’s what we are looking for next.”
Chestnut Cottage has a hall, sitting room with multi-fuel stove, a dining room, a washroom/WC and a kitchen/breakfast room on the ground floor.
On the first floor there is a bedroom with fitted wardrobes, two further bedrooms overlooking The Green and Billy Bank Woods and a bathroom with a shower and a roll top bath.
Outside, is a rear courtyard, the cavern and the two garden terraces. Richmond is a Georgian market town with the Dales on its doorstep and a host of amenities.
It was Karin who saw the potential to turn the barn into a kitchen.