The West Wing of Capheaton Hall is a laidback-luxury family home set in a sprawling country estate in rural Northumberland. The prestigious Capheaton Estate has belonged to the Swinburne family since 1260, resulting in a remarkable legacy that the current owners, Willy and Eliza Browne-Swinburne, are continuing to nurture.
The estate encompasses 500 acres of woodland, walled gardens and landscaped parkland that extends down to a large lake as well as the historic Capheaton Hall, a Grade I listed Baroque-style mansion dating to 1669, and a small village. Having grown up in Capheaton Hall, Willy Browne-Swinburne is deeply committed to the ongoing restoration of the grand house as well as the maintenance of the estate’s gardens, woods and habitats.
The Browne-Swinburnes have transformed The West Wing into a welcoming family home adjoining their own home, inviting guests to share their passion for the surrounding grounds and kitchen garden. Indeed, guests are encouraged to enjoy the walled kitchen garden, picking up top tips on what to eat and how to grow it from Head Gardener, Jane Armstrong, who will even prepare a freshly-picked box of vegetables for you. While not nosing around the vegetable gardens and herbaceous borders, guests are also invited to enjoy the tennis court and croquet lawn (you’ll find the set indoors if it’s not already set up).
The West Wing itself is a regal stone property studded with soaring sash windows that look across the Capability Brown-style gardens of Capheaton. The ground floor comprises a convivial family kitchen with a dining table, a more formal dining area complete with a fireplace and piano, and a large sitting room with towering windows and a roaring fire set in an ornately carved stone fireplace.
Upstairs, two large double bedrooms feature en-suite bathrooms (one with a large walk-in shower and the other with a bath and shower attachment) while a further two twin rooms (one of which can be configured as a king-size bed) share a family bathroom with a clawfoot bath by the window. By no means just for children, don’t miss the opportunity to soak in the bath while lapping up those far-reaching views yourself!
In addition to strolls and games in the grounds of Capheaton Hall, guests can admire dozens of species of wildfowl and wading birds at Sir Edward’s Lake, a short walk from the house. Only slightly further afield, the splendid Belsay Hall, castle and gardens and National Trust Wallington house and gardens are both ten minutes’ drive away while keen golfers will find a wide choice of golf courses in the local area.
GROUND FLOOR
Outside courtyard leads into an access hall with hanging rail.
Large utility room/boot room with sink, washing machine and dryer.
Cloakroom with basin and WC.
One step up to the kitchen:
Kitchen with Neff double oven and Neff five burner induction hob, large fridge/freezer x 2, dishwasher, microwave. Informal dining area seating six.
Dining room with dining table which seats eight guests, decorative fireplace, piano.
Drawing room with two generous sofas and two armchairs, library of books, open fireplace, Smart TV. Stairs from the dining room lead to the first floor bedrooms.
Inner hall with access to the garden.
Separate cloakroom with basin and WC and separate stairs leading to the first floor.
FIRST FLOOR
Bedroom one with zip and link beds, which can be configured as a super king double or twin, as preferred. Side tables, chest of drawers, dressing table, large wardrobe. Views over estate parkland.
En suite bathroom with large shower with rainforest head, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Inner hallway to:
Bedroom two with super king bed, side tables, chest of drawers, wardrobe. This bedroom looks out over the front courtyard.
En suite bathroom with bath and handheld showerhead, heated towel rail, basin and WC.
Three steps up:
Bedroom three with twin beds. Small wardrobe, dressing table. Views over estate parkland.
Bedroom four with zip and link beds, which can be configured as a king size double or twin, as preferred. Side table, wardrobe, decorative fireplace, chest of drawers. Views over estate parkland.
Family bathroom with roll-top bath, basin and WC.
Separate stair leading down to the inner hall.
OUTSIDE
Large outside courtyard leading into the gardens of the wider estate. There is outside seating and a charcoal barbecue. Guests have use of a croquet set (stored inside the property when not already set up on the lawn) and access to the tennis court, on request.
For guests interested in gardening, a tour can be arranged with Jane Armstrong, the estate's talented Head Gardener, who will explain all that is going on in the greenhouses, borders and vegetable beds. Jane can also supply homegrown vegetable packs, on request.
There is ample parking in the private courtyard to the side of the property.
