KENNY Thompson wasn’t born a country boy - but since he moved to this beautiful rural property outside of Elwick, near Hartlepool, he says he’s “taken to the lifestyle”.
“You get used to the openness. I couldn’t live in a town again.” Kenny lives with his wife Paula and their two teenage children in The Granary, a renovated barn with eco-friendly features. It is one of a number of agricultural buildings at Sheraton West Grange Farm, which were developed by friends and relatives. The building, around 100 years old, has been converted to give an airy, open feel, as Kenny says many barns he’s seen on TV property shows have small rooms. Both levels boast underfloor heating, powered by a ground source heat pump, a system which transfers heat from the ground. “It’s very good and keeps the rooms at a constant temperature upstairs and downstairs.” Another unusual feature is the bore hole for water. “We had the water tested at a lab in Brussels and they said it was that good you could bottle it - it’s like having your own mineral water!” Kenny’s favourite room is the spacious dining kitchen, an extremely well-equipped space with Wengi units, integrated Neff appliances, solid quartz working surfaces, and such features as a wine cooler, ice maker, warming drawers and a central island work station with Neff ceramic hob and barbecue/griddle. “The barbecue is good for making things like fajitas. We both like to cook - Paula’s speciality is spicy meatballs.” Other rooms on the ground floor include a lounge with wood burning stove and solid oak strip flooring, a cloakroom/wet room, sun lounge, family room, study and utility room. Most of the ground floor rooms have elegant Travertine flooring - a type of limestone used in the building of the Roman Colosseum. Many also feature exposed roof trusses and beams, an attractive period detail. Up the oak staircase, there are three spacious bedrooms, also featuring the original roof trusses and beams. The master suite has wonderful country views, balcony and a luxurious en suite, which includes a wet room with multijet shower, a whirlpool bath and LCD TV. Bedroom two has an en suite shower room, while bedroom three includes a Juliet balcony and en suite bathroom. Outside there are Travertine patios, private gardens laid to lawn with space for a quadruple garage, and access to a shared gym, which has been finished and only needs equipment. There is also a paddock area, which could become a tennis court. The collection of properties are down a private road, half a mile from the main road, offering privacy, as well as country views and pleasant walks. However, there is easy access to the A19 for commuting, and the facilities of Hartlepool are only a few minutes drive away. Although the Thompson family love the property, they are so fond of the wide open spaces that they are now looking to move abroad in search of even greater vistas. “We’d like to go to Australia,” says Kenny. The Granary at Sheraton West Grange Farm, Elwick is on the market for offers in excess of £629,000. There is an open house on Sunday, October 26 and on November 2, both from 1-4pm. For details call Manners and Harrison, Hartlepool on 01429 261351. | 
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