Wreck of the Week

I haven't done stately (-ish) homes in a while. Let's go large this week. Ribbesford House, above and below was sent to me by reader Andy, who wrote: There are links to Charles De Gaulle as he stayed at Ribbesford House during the war with the Free French.  I have a link to it also, as my mum is buried in Ribbesford church next to it.  The images don't do it justice as is a beautiful  building, there is a stunning avenue of huge conker trees lining the driveway in its curtillage. Wouldn't fancy the repair bill! Stunning, definitely. A big job needing someone with deep pockets, certainly. But we're thinking big today. Sub-divided into apartments after the war, the Grade II* listed house comes with over eight acres of land, including private woodland, plus outbuildings. There's also a four-bedroom cottage, currently let to tenants. Parts of the house date back to the 16th century and the main house includes those two gorgeous towers. ...

Couple of properties for you today that need "repurposing". The first one is a former Methodist chapel, something I see on a fairly regular basis here on Wreck, but it's the location and the original features that makes this one attractive. Gatehead Chapel is in the tiny North Pennines village of Garrigill , around six  miles from Alston. Once a bustling rural location, even the local pub has now closed down, although the area still attracts committed walkers and summer visitors. Rear of property and, below, views   The Chapel has had planning permission in place since 2010 to convert it into a home, and works have already begun. There's no information on why the property is back on the market - and it looks like there was a previous attempt to sell it in 2013 (at £165k). It's basically one big main hall and a two-floor extension. The chapel is gorgeous. Particularly the ceiling. There's designated parking to the front and no garde...

Two chunky Cumbrian properties to show you today. The first, making its debut on the market having been in the same family since it was built. And what a building.  Eden Bank consists of a five-bedroom house, with attached two-storey barn, plus a (derelict) two-bedroom cottage. Outside is a decent-sized garden and a yard. There are houses around it and the property is in the growing village of Culgaith , around eight miles from Penrith and the M6. There are a lot of rooms, some remodelling would help open up the space, and it's not clear how much work would be needed on incorporating that barn. But the Black Swan pub is a wobbly walk away and there are lovely views in the other direction over the Eden Valley. On the market through PFK at £350k. More here and here . That was Eden Bank, this is Lambley Bank. In the Cumbrian village of Scotby , just off the M6, it's similarly proportioned, although rather fewer "add on"...

  I've just spent ten minutes trying to think of puns to introduce this handsome public building to you. But then I decided I'm not that sort of journalist. I'm more show and tell than quip and yell. So, it's a former courthouse, in the conservation area of a Welsh market town. It has stunning windows, a lovely garden area, a beautifully proportioned court room, and its own holding cells. And it's on the market at under £100k. Here's the evidence. The building is Grade II listed and in Dolgellau , within the Snowdonia National Park. The River Wnion sits across the road and there are views of Snowdonia's hills. The property was sent to me by reader Tom who wrote: I've just found the following ex court house in Snowdonia for under £100k. Still has the original holding cells! Must be of some interest.... Definitely of interest, Tom. Rooms wise, it's basically one big room (the court room), plus a bunch of small offices...