AN historic manor house run as popular tourist attraction until it was forced to close due to coronavirus has been put on the market for sale as a 'wonderful family home'.

Crook Hall and Gardens, in Durham, was taken on by Maggie and Keith Bell, who gradually turned it into a wedding venue and tourist attraction, which ensured the property was open to the public.

But following a ten-week forced closure due to coronavirus, with staff furloughed and weddings and other events postponed, the Bells announced in June the business was going into liquidation. It employed 19 permanent staff and double that during holiday periods.

The property has now been placed on market, with price on application, by York-based real estate agents Savills.

Savills director Andrew Black said: "It an opportunity and a wonderful house really. It has the potential to be a family house or to continue where they (the Bells) left off.

"It is complete one-off. It's a beautiful Georgian house with the old historic additions, as well. With this move toward living with more space and within the bounds of the city, it combines accessibility to the mainline station."

"And you have the paddocks in beautiful countryside, within walking distance from the city. It is an amazingly rare property."

Among the features of the 6,517sq ft property set on 5.75 acres of land are six reception rooms, five bedrooms, four bathrooms and Medieval Hall, well-established gardens, including pond and covered entertaining area.

Built built circa 1217 is one of the oldest inhabited houses in Durham.