Barnard Castle’s oldest house is on the market for £485,000.
Blagraves has been put up for sale after the closure of the shop and restaurant early last year.
The 15th century property has connections to Richard III and Oliver Cromwell. More recently, it has housed restaurants that have won a place in the hearts of many locals.
Since Blagraves was listed with Inigo, an agent that specialises in selling historic homes, there has been plenty of interest.
“We’ve had the property sold twice, but it hasn’t gone through due to issues with other parts of the chain breaking down,” said owner Louise Dinnes.
Prospective buyers have been looking at it as a purely residential property, or seeking to combine fine dining with living space.
“It’s a special place,” added Mrs Dinnes. “Inigo have been excellent with us. They recommended we take out the commercial kitchen and make it a home so people could visualise it a lot better. We did that and I’ve been living there with my partner since last summer. We felt it needed to be lived in and we wanted to enjoy it while we still had it.
“But we’re needing to sell. I’ve reduced the price to £485,000 and I think it’s a giveaway right now!”
Adding to the charm, much of the current furniture and fittings can be included in the deal.
“We’ve said that anyone wanting the furnishings can have most of them at no additional cost,” said Mrs Dinnes. “A lot of it is connected to this house and just wouldn’t fit in another place.
“There’s a beautiful bookcase in the hall, for example, or the dining table that’s simply too big for most dining rooms.”
Blagraves is on The Bank and is a Grade I listed building in the historic heart of the town, described by English Heritage as “an important building on an important street.”
While that status can affect how a property could be used or renovated, the house has been renovated to a high standard by the current owners.
And it is versatile. Over the years it has been a shop, a restaurant and a house, and there is scope to create studio, workshop or office space. In addition, there is planning permission for a loft apartment.
