One of just four spacious apartments in a converted Tynedale mansion, this property is a lovely maisonette with quality fixtures and fittings and period features.

But perhaps the stand-out aspects of the apartment are its spacious rooms and the fantastic south-facing views.

That’s the opinion of owner Colin Kirkby, who has lived at Hindley Hall since retiring there in 2001 with his wife, Olwyn.

They relocated from elsewhere in Stocksfield and were the second purchasers of the apartment after Hindley Hall was converted in the early 1990s.

Colin said: “I don’t know a great deal about the history of the hall other than that it was owned by family who were in shipping and coffee.

“I was attracted to this place as I’ve always lived in stone-built houses. As a child, I was in a stone-built farmhouse in the Lake District and the house in Cadehill Road was stone-built.

“When we downsized from there, we looked for another stone-built home. The piece of the hall that we’re in was built in 1950 by Gateshead Council, so it’s part of the mansion house but is fairly modern. It was built as a school for boys with what would today be special needs, I think.

“The build replicates what’s in the mansion, with high, very ornate ceilings, roses and cornicing, plaster moulding and mullions. The rooms are very large – ex-school rooms and dormitories really.”

“It’s very quiet, which is another great feature, and there are fantastic views south-facing, looking up the Apperley Dene towards Whittonstall. As I look out, there are cattle and sheep grazing outside.

“We have communal grounds which attract deer, lots of birds and squirrels, grey unfortunately.”

The Kirkbys have a private entrance hall and staircase to their first-floor apartment. A 20ft sq dining lounge has a feature fire in a stone surround, decorative ceiling and two windows with stone mullions, while the kitchen has units with granite work surfaces and an integrated fridge-freezer.

“We did quite a bit when we moved in, put in double glazing and did a fair bit of internal work,” Colin said. “We’ve recently put in a new bathroom.”

This has been built to a very high standard with walk-in shower cubicle and tiled floor and walls. This level also has a study area and two double bedrooms, one currently used as a dining room and the other with fitted Hammonds furniture and two Velux windows.

On the top floor are the other two double bedrooms, again with fitted Hammonds furniture and Velux windows, and a second bathroom.

Outside, are a paved terrace and single garag, and the large grounds provide ample parking for all four apartments in the hall.

The Kirkbys have reached a time of life when they feel they need to be nearer a town, as they currently live a mile and a half out of Stocksfield.

“We’re downsizing and would love to get a cottage or bungalow in Corbridge,” Colin said.

“I’m in my late 70s and although my wife hasn’t quite caught me up, you have to think ahead.

“We think we’ll struggle to get somewhere as spacious as this and we will miss the space – the high ceilings here are a tremendous feature.

“We love the countryside and are not really used to town living, but we’re going to give it a try.”

Apartment 4, Hindley Hall, Stocksfield

Spacious maisonette £375,000

Red Hot Property (01434) 601800