A CHARACTER home in a pleasant rural community is a winning combination - and literally so, in the case of White House Farm, on the outskirts of Sadberge, near Darlington.
That’s because Sadberge has been chosen Calor North England Village of the Year, an accolade that rewards vibrant and enterprising villages. Sadberge is now through to the national finals, up against four other villages for the national title, which will be presented in London in December. The prize is partly based on facilities, says Martin Shearer, who lives in the property. “The award centred a lot on the village hall, where there are many events.” These includes everything from go-kart races and morris dancing to yoga and Pilates. Martin has lived at White House Farm for five years, and says the historic Grade II listed property from the 18th century has come a long way since it was bought by the previous owners ten years ago. At that time it was a derelict building and the owners renovated it completely. Martin has also extended the property, adding a family room, utility room, garage and extra bedrooms. His favourite room is the kitchen. “It’s a homely farmhouse-style kitchen. I have the children here twice a week and I really enjoy cooking.” The kitchen’s features include exposed ceiling beams, hand crafted oak units and work tops, a gas fired Aga, Belfast sink and stone flooring. Historic exposed beams and fireplaces also feature in the sitting room, dining room and study. The fireplaces in the first two are period ones, with cast iron grates. In addition, the ground floor also includes a utility room and a cloakroom. Upstairs the first three bedrooms have attractive exposed beams, and two also boast period fireplaces. The master bedroom has an en suite shower room and there is also a family bathroom with free standing roll top bath, pedestal wash basin and Velux window. The interestingly quirky design of the listed building means the further two bedrooms are up a few steps. One of these bedrooms also includes an en suite shower room. Outside, at the front of the property there are parking spaces and a large lawn garden. Double gates next to the side of the property lead to a driveway with parking and access to a detached single garage. The rear garden includes a decked terrace and a patio area. Martin says he’ll miss the house, but his two teenaged children live near Stokesley and want to be able to travel more independently to visit him. “Right now I think they’d have to take three buses.” He says that, although he lives alone, the spacious house is usually quite busy because his children like to bring friends and cousins over to stay. “I’ve had up to 23 people staying here!” He adds that Sadberge is ideal for commuting, being five minutes drive from Durham Tees Valley Airport, ten minutes from mainline rail services at Darlington, and handy for the A19, A66 and A1. White House Farm on Chapel Row, Sadberge is on the market with a guide price of £495,000. For further details call Roseberry Newhouse in Yarm on 01642 792488 . | 
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