WITH views stretching from Holy Island down to the coastline of Newton-by-the-Sea, living in The Stables barn conversion is like being on “a permanent holiday” says its proud owner.
Jonathan Barber, a 42-year-old property developer, is sad to say goodbye to the family home, which he bought as a shell in 2007. With two young daughters travelling to their school in Morpeth every day, Jonathan and his wife Susan, 41, decided family life would be easier closer to the schools as well as the girls’ friends. Ten minutes from Alnwick, Wandylaw Farm originally consisted of 12 dwellings and the main farmhouse. The family home was once the stable block. Jonathan did most of the work on the property and hired specialist contractors for aspects such as the stonework. Jonathan said: “When we purchased the building it was a redundant shell. We had to start pretty much from scratch.” The house centres around an internal courtyard. It mixes traditional stonework with contemporary fittings. With four large bedrooms, two reception rooms, a study, two en suites and a family bathroom, the conversion has plenty of space for a family. At the heart is a T-shaped living/dining/kitchen area, which is more than 42ft long, with vaulted ceilings and exposed timber trusses. It looks out on the private courtyard and is one of Jonathan’s favourite places. “The concertina doors fold right back, which creates a fantastic atmosphere,” he said. “It is so light and airy – the house just flows really well.” The north and south wings have the bedroom and bathroom areas. Both wings have impressive bathrooms and good-size bedrooms. “Two active girls, two dogs and two cats have certainly tested the house to the limit – it is a real social house and we have enjoyed great get-togethers with friends and family,” said Jonathan. Daughters Georgia, 11, and Libby, six, love playing in the attractive surroundings of about a third of an acre, including a detached double garage. “The girls have a lot of freedom in the garden and can feel safe at the same time,” said Jonathan. “The house is very private and away from the main hub of the other properties.” Despite being in the countryside, Alnwick is only a 10-minute drive away and Newcastle 45 minutes. Situated within a mile of the A1, The Stables is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. All the hard work has not deterred the family from possibly doing another conversion in the future. “We would love the opportunity to do this again, but there aren’t that many buildings like this left in Northumberland, especially with such an unusual footprint,” he said. The Stables, Wandylaw Farm, is for sale through Strutt and Parker at a guide price of £600,000, tel: 01670 516123. | 
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