What is truly ingenious about Milbourne Hall, found Pevsner, is that nearly every room is oval in shape.
Built of local iron-flecked Belsay stone, architect John Paterson’s design includes an octagonal courtyard, central rotunda, a Doric-columned portico and octagonal library, all arranged with immense symmetry; other interesting features include classical friezes, beautiful fireplaces and a secret staircase.
In a little hamlet close by the Mill Burn, a tributary of the River Pont (not far from Belsay and Morpeth), there are four bedrooms in the main house (although the principal suite’s dressing room is large enough to double as an extra), plus a two-storey, four-bedroom apartment, which could be kept separate or reintegrated with the main part.
The courtyard contains three carriage houses comprising three, three and two bedrooms, ideal for rental income. Outside, the 24 acres of land offer everything you’d expect from a house of this calibre, with a meandering drive, formal lawn, summerhouse in a walled garden, mature trees, pond, paddock, terracing and stables.
The peaceful hamlet of Milbourne is situated to the north-west of Ponteland where you’ll find a secondary school, medical centre and all day-to-day amenities, plus a golf club and leisure centre.
There’s a great primary in the neighbouring village of Belsay, rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, and for a wider range of shops and restaurants, Morpeth, Newcastle and Gateshead are all within easy reach and offer good transportation links.
Milbourne House is currently on the market via Strutt & Parker with a guide price of £3.95 million — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details.
See more properties for sale in the area.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
-
The dream home that never was for one of Britain's greatest film stars, back on the market for the first time in half a centuryAnna White takes a look at the beautiful Wallers Mead, in the Buckinghamshire village full of links to Hollywood movies from James Bond to Star Wars.
-
Country Life Quiz of the Day, September 16, 2025 gets Brutal(ist)Divisive architecture is among the themes of today's quiz questions.
-
The dream home that never was for one of Britain's greatest film stars, back on the market for the first time in half a century
Anna White takes a look at the beautiful Wallers Mead, in the Buckinghamshire village full of links to Hollywood movies from James Bond to Star Wars.
-
A 500-year-old cottage in West Sussex that's as beautiful as you could ever hope to see, with a pool ringed by flowers, stables and a croquet lawnJames Fisher was in need of some balm for the soul when he came across Woodshill House.
-
A Clarkson's Farm of one's own: Five properties with just enough farmland for you and your family, from under £1 millionMoving to the country is one thing; moving to the country and being able to grow and rear all your own food is another level entirely, and all these properties offer exactly that.
-
Six superb homes, from chocolate box cottages to grand Tudor mansions, as seen in Country LifeOur regular round-up includes charming home counties houses and superb grand country house in Ireland.
-
A billionaire's thatched cottage is for sale in Surrey, once owned by the oil magnate J. Paul GettyChestnut Cottage is a joyous little home — albeit one with the most unusual bedrooms to acreage to price balances we've ever seen. Toby Keel takes a look inside.
-
Medieval Italian? 19th century French? 16th century German? You're spoilt for choice if you're looking to buy a gorgeous continental castleFrom hills of Italy to a Bavarian palace, Toby Keel takes a look at three of the finest castles for sale across Europe today.
-
How to buy a house at auctionBuying at auction can mean you secure your dream property for a bargain price, but preparation is the key
-
The homes of two 1980s TV icons are both up for sale at the same timeThe houses where Bob Monkhouse and Sir Terry Wogan spent decades of their lives are currently on the market. Annabel Dixon takes a look.
