Reel estate! Stunning converted former school home with its own river, private fishing rights, and castle in ‘Britain’s Most Desirable Village’ goes on sale for £1.1 million

Northumberland, UK 4th January 2023 – A former village school house in Northumberland that is within walking distance of a beach, marina, golf club, pub, chocolatier and cycling distance to a mainline railway station with a private stretch of river, jetty and fishing rights for those wanting to make the most of the riverside reel estate, has gone on the market for offers over £1.1m. 

Warkworth village has been voted as the “poshest place to live”, The Old School only coming to the market once in 40 years.  Located in Northumberland, the county came 4th on the New York Times Annual 52 Places List in a “world turned upside down”.

The house has 3,000 sq ft of accommodation with two staircases, a suspended walkway across the original school hall which is now a double height vaulted living, dining room and beamed kitchen with 4 bedrooms, a fishing kitchen/boot room, 2 bathrooms and a cloakroom.  Featuring the original school door, arched stone entrance and bell tower, the 17th century property had retained many original features with a glass extension offering floor to ceiling, panoramic windows overlooking the river.

Half the property has been run as a successful holiday let, but could also serve as a home for multi-generation families.

The river offers a further 6,000 sq ft approx and includes a stone jetty with steps leading down from the walled gardens.  

Bespoke iron gates on three vehicle gravelled driveway designed exclusively by “Blacksmith of the Year” Stephen Lunn, who is noted for making The Duchess of Northumberland Gates at The Alnwick Garden.  They feature winding Ivy.

There are formal mature walled gardens front, side and back, with multiple places to sit and enjoy the river.

The fishing rights run along double the length of the entire rear of the house.  As the river is tidal, keen fishers can walk out into the centre of the river with chairs and fishing equipment (as well as sunbathing in a “beach” style setting. 

Former public relations expert for the Duchess of Northumberland Claire Barber said: “You’ve got the river on your doorstep, lovely woodland opposite, privacy, natural beauty and wildlife, but you’re not cut off.  A beach, marina, village shop, golf a castle and a even a pub within walking distance is a very good combination, that is quite rare.”