WHILE it may not be technically correct to say you’d be the king of the castle if you owned Thorpe Hall – a stunning small country estate with an impeccable pedigree – you’d certainly feel as if you were.

The origins of Thorpe Hall date as far back as the 13th Century, when a peel tower was erected by the Wycliffes from which the current house evolved.

The hall’s Georgian front was built in about 1740 and is typical of the grand Palladian architecture that was popular in the area at the time.

The handsome, modern country house that stands today has been restored inside and out by the current owners, with the assistance of interior designer Mark Gillette and leading garden designer Arne Maynard.

The end result is a family home in which 21st Century craftsmanship is a match for the original 18th Century work, all set in superb gardens.

The interior remodelling has seen the drawing room, dining room and library returned to their original purpose, and the inner hall transformed into a reception room with a lantern light, neoclassical Adamesque plasterwork, a delicate wrought-iron balustrade and a fireplace framed in marble with a carved mantel. The 18th Century kitchen has been brought back to its original role, but in a nod to modern family life with room for a large dining table to one side.

The decorative plaster work, joinery and wrought iron work have all been principally carried out by local craftsmen.

Also on the ground floor are a smaller family dining room, pretty sitting room with exceptional original features including fine Georgian cornicing and panelling, study, morning room, serving kitchen, boot room, pantry, scullery, staff mess and vestibule.

Thorpe Hall has, in all, 12 beautifully decorated bedrooms as well as eight bathrooms and two shower rooms spread over two floors.

These include the impressive master suite, overlooking the gardens then onto traditional farmland, which comprises a spacious and elegant bedroom, a dressing room that leads to an en-suite bathroom, and a gentleman’s dressing room beautifully fitted with mahogany cupboards and shelves which leads to a shower room.

The beautifully designed gardens have been laid out by the world-renowned Arne Maynard as a series of rooms which provide interest throughout the year.

The formal gardens can be appreciated and enjoyed from either a window in the house or by strolling among the parterres and avenues.

Terracing around the house has created excellent spaces for summer entertaining, while the kitchen garden offers an abundance of produce throughout the year and also benefits from a large greenhouse. The park-like grounds of the estate – which extends to approximately 85 acres in total – create a private and secure setting for the house.

As you would expect from an estate of this standard, there are a number of outbuildings.

These include significant garaging and kennels, an office suite comprising a meeting room, office, kitchen and cloakroom, plus a gym with shower and cloakroom.

Close to the house are three cottages and a studio flat that would work well for staff, guests or dependants. Two properties further away from the main house – Corner Cottage and Greystones Cottage – have been used for holiday letting to generate income for the current owners, and could continue to do so.

One of them has three bedrooms, the other two.

There is also planning permission to erect ten eco lodges on the Lido and to convert the existing “former engine shed” to a residential holiday let.

Thorpe Hall sits on the south bank of the River Tees, at Wycliffe, approximately five miles from Barnard Castle. It is on the market at a guide price of £6m.

For more information or to arrange a viewing, please contact Savills on 01904 617800