ALAN and Ann Dumble live in White House, a historic home filled with character and immense appeal in the centre of Alston, a town with two claims to national fame.

It reportedly sits at the highest altitude of any market town in England and is also on the route of one of the UK's most scenic road drives, on the A696 from Penrith to Haydon Bridge.

The White House has been part of Alston for years, perhaps two centuries, and was formerly the Dun Cow pub, although it was converted to a spacious home a long time ago.

"We've been here for 30-odd years after moving from from the North East and we've been very happy here," Ann said. "Alston is such a quaint lovely place and although our son is now in Northumberland, our daughter still lives here."

Her home is a traditional double-fronted terraced property with versatile living space and blends modern additions with period fittings, such as open fireplaces, exposed beams and thick walls and windowsills.

A feature that is sure to be of interest to many people is that it's for sale with a two-storey coach house that has planning permission for residential conversion.

There are two main reception rooms in White House, on either side of the hall. The spacious sitting room has great character with a beamed ceiling, stripped floorboards and deep inglenook fireplace housing a multi-fuel burning stove.

The dining room also has a beamed ceiling and stripped floorboards along with the original cast-iron fireplace with open grate.

The kitchen and bathroom have both been modernised to a very high standard by the Dumbles to create welcoming rooms with luxury features.

The kitchen has floor and wall cabinets, contrasting granite work surfaces and integrated appliances including two ovens, hob, microwave, fridge-freezer and dishwasher.

The bathroom has a a free-standing roll-top bath, double shower cubicle and ceramic tiling to walls and floor.

Going upstairs, a window on the half-landing gives lovely views over the courtyard at the back of the house, and the four bedrooms - three doubles and one single - are on the first floor.

One of the double bedrooms at the front of the house has a beamed ceiling, two recessed storage cupboards and an original cast-iron fire surround. Another has shelving, a beamed ceiling and loft access while the final double bedroom has exposed stripped floorboards, a beamed ceiling and original cast-iron fireplace.

The single bedroom, which is currently used as a snug/study, overlooks the front street and has stripped floorboards and shelving.

Outside is a courtyard garden with attractive planting, a gravel area, patio seating area, arbour and log store.

"We put on a sunroom and as it's south-facing it gets lots of sun," said Ann. The room has a stone-flagged floor, electricity supply and access to the Coach House.

"We use the coach house as a garage but we always park opposite where the town hall is, there’s parking there."

Alston has a thriving local community, she added, with lots of activities on offer.

She finished: "The house is a lovely place to live and has a nice atmosphere - I probably felt that when I first saw it, although it’s so long ago, it’s hard to be certain!

"We're retired so we’re moving closer to our grandchildren in Northumberland."

White House, Front Street, Alston, is for sale at £220,000 from Rook Matthews Sayer.

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