This Georgian church is now a gorgeous country home — and it was designed by a student of Sir John Soane
Greystead Old Church is an object lesson in how good a converted church can become as a place to live. Julie Harding takes a look.
Toby Keel
Not many kitchens in Britain can claim to be lit via stained-glass windows, but Greystead Old Church in Tarset, within Northumberland National Park and designed by Henry Hake Seward — a student of Sir John Soane — is one such property. It's just one of a long list of things that make this home incredibly special; it's for sale for £750,000 via Finest.
The idyllic rural location has stunning views — particularly from the room at the top of the West Tower.
The neo-Gothic building began life as a Georgian church called St Luke's, and was part of a parish used to provide comfortable livings for chaplains who had retired from the Royal Navy. The current owners — both art historians — tell the fascinating history of the church and the nearby rectory on their website, which is part of a site used to rent out the church and nearby cottage. Greystead Rectory has remained their family home.
While the rectory has been in the same family since 1950 the church was bought later, after it was deconsecrated in 1998. A full, sympathetic conversion followed in 2013, with original features retained — not least the wonderful tower, of which more later — and the stained glass, created in the style of Burne-Jones, becoming a dazzling feature.
The kitchen is part of a mezzanine floor, with units crafted by Neptune, countertops that are granite and a substantial central island. You can stand her and and cook, or sit long over a summer supper, watching jewelled light flood the room.
In total, there are two reception rooms, including the sitting room, from where the full splendour of that Burne-Jones window is also evident, plus four bedrooms on the ground floor.
The West Tower is a truly exceptional addition. Accessed via a spiral staircase, the steps lead up to a secluded seating area that offers a peaceful retreat — and views across the glorious surrounding landscape.
Greystead Old Church is for sale via Finest at £950,000 — see more details. It's also available as a whole along with The Rectory and The Cottage, with the three properties together having an asking price of £2.25 million.
