DATING from the 19th century, The Old Vicarage is a magnificent detached period house with grade II listed status, historic connections both to royalty and Lord Armstrong of Cragside and, of course, a wealth of simply fabulous accommodation set in equally splendid gardens.

The property was commissioned by the church in the late 1820’s-early 1830’s when the first reverend (Rev George Watson) was appointed and resided in it. One of the ways Rev Watson decided on to raise funds to make improvements and additions to the property was by writing a book of sermons. Through influential contacts, royalty became aware of his task, which resulted in Queen Victoria purchasing 33 copies.

Today The Old Vicarage is an altogether different house, having under-gone a programme of sympathetic improvements and renovations during the current owners’ 28 year tenure to create more than 5,700sq.ft of stunning accommodation in which period features including stone mullioned windows, high ceilings, wood panelling, ornate cornicing, window shutters and splendid original fireplaces and surrounds sit seamlessly alongside the trappings of modern living.

Briefly, the accommodation includes five beautifully-presented reception rooms – including well-proportioned drawing and sitting rooms at the front, a comfortable family room and a formal dining room with intricate panelling. A particular feature of the ground floor is the modern orangery with air-conditioning, floor-to-ceiling windows and a large ceiling lantern skylight which floods the room with natural light. French doors open from it into the beautiful gardens.

The heart of the home is the fabulous 21ft kitchen – itself a modern extension – which has underfloor heating and is home to stylish bespoke Shaker units, a generous central island unit with seating and a skylight which floods the room with natural light. As well as space for a breakfast table, there is a seating area with a multi-fuel stove adjoining the kitchen. Also on the ground floor are an office, shower room and cloakroom.

Upstairs are six double bedrooms, including the master bedroom with a Jack ‘n’ Jill door to one of the two large family bathrooms. One of the bathrooms has a Jacuzzi bath, shower/sauna with a 43” smart mirror TV with Sky TV, Blu-ray DVD and surround sound speakers.

Additionally, the house benefits from two cellars – one vaulted dating to the post medieval period.

A particular highlight of The Old Vicarage is its gardens which are home to a variety of statues, urns, water features and metalwork. No expense has been spared to create bespoke garden areas which include a rose garden, a rockery, the Hobbit garden with a bespoke door and Lord of the Rings hobbit theme, a wild meadow, an Arts and Crafts garden, a sun house and The Old Tennis Court, which is home to a magnificent display of rhododendrons.

The rear garden is approached through an impressive Moon Gate and has an area of lawn, bordered by mature trees. To the sides and rear of the house are various separate spaces in which to relax, including two Belvederes, a paved terrace area with a beautiful Rhyl water feature, areas of immaculate lawn and peaceful meadow, two ponds, patio areas, gazebos, pergolas and flower beds. A full automatically-controlled watering system has been installed throughout the garden and in the polytunnel. There’s also a kitchen garden with raised beds, a heated greenhouse and various stores for garden equipment, plus a detached two-car heated garage with an EV charger, separate utility and workshop.

The entrance to the property and to the gardens, which are enclosed by a stone wall, is via two gated entrances with entry cameras. Most of the garden areas have state-of-the-art Hikvision CCTV and the house and gardens are alarmed and linked to a monitored control centre.

The Old Vicarage lies in the heart of the small village of High Etherley, surrounded by County Durham countryside and within easy reach of the stunning North Pennines.

The Old Vicarage is on the market at a guide price of £1.495m.

For more information or to arrange a viewing, please contact the Harrogate office of Strutt & Parker on 01423 594852.