A gym and swimming pool are not the first things you expect to find in a 17th century farmhouse, but they do make for a luxurious – and popular – retreat, owner Lesley Moore tells Sarah Willcocks

WHEN Lesley Moore first walked into a renovated County Durham farmhouse five years ago, she couldn’t believe her eyes. Within its 300-yearold walls, the previous owners had installed a contemporary leisure wing with a 12-metre swimming pool, gymnasium and large Jacuzzi.

Not what you would expect to find in a Grade II-listed property dating to the 17th century.

“We knew we wanted to be based near Durham, but we also wanted land and this property comes with seven acres,” says Lesley.

“Moving here was quite a step up for us and I couldn’t believe that we might actually be able to afford it.”

The location is excellent. “Durham School is just ten minutes’ drive away and amenities are close-by, but you feel as though you are in the middle of the countryside.”

Despite its age and the fact that it was listed, former teacher Lesley and her entrepreneur husband Paul got planning permission to carry out a few improvements of their own, turning the kitchen into one of Lesley’s favourite rooms. “I love my kitchen and spend a lot of time in there. When we moved in, it was one of the few rooms that needed modernising so we carried out quite a bit of work,” she says.

The huge L-shaped kitchen and breakfast area extends to more than 20 feet. Its striking and colourful features include Fired Earth limestone flooring in Parisian Blue, contrasting oak and hand-painted wood cabinets and black granite work surfaces. A black, electricfired Aga takes pride of place and is a popular addition with all the family. “I love the Aga being on, especially in winter. My son even uses it to warm his uniform on,” says Lesley.

It’s a real family home – “wonderful for having all the relatives over and for parties”. The cinema room and games room with snooker table and darts board are perfect for keeping teenagers entertained. Then there are a sauna and steam room, and a Jacuzzi that can seat eight revellers. “My son and his friends love it here, and needless to say, sleepovers only seem to happen in my house,” laughs Lesley.

Christmas time is particularly special. The huge main lounge really lends itself to the festive season. With three distinct areas, an orangery, a comfy snug and a piano and music area, it is ideal for hosting family gatherings.

And there’s plenty of room for a stunning tenfoot Christmas tree.

Among the stylish contemporary additions to the house, the pool area is one of the most striking. Created in a converted barn at one end of the house, with large windows making the most of the garden views, the space is decked out with a Bose sound system and subtle lighting. As well as being a luxury, it was also a necessity for Lesley after she was diagnosed with cancer four years ago. “I was in recovery and the pool was brilliant for re-building my fitness and stamina,” she explains.

THE cancer scare also led to a change of career from teaching IT. “When I used to go for treatment, I would meet a lot of children who had also been diagnosed. It was so humbling and inspiring to see the way these kids coped,” explains Lesley, who now works as a dedicated fund raiser for the Rainbow Trust in Durham.

Ideally suited to a healthy lifestyle and Lesley’s love of country living, the grounds at Viewly Grange Farm are also well-kept and well-used. Currently one of the fields is home to her free-range hens and she often keeps up to ten chickens. Lesley has also tried her hand at other livestock rearing. “I tried keeping a flock of sheep for a while and have had horses here too. We also have a stable block. At the moment, I am just using it to store the chicken feed but there’s enough stabling for four or five horses.”

Well-preserved period features both inside and outside the farmhouse include traditional fireplaces, an original reception hall and a storeroom with carriage doors. The gardens also hold a surprising reminder of days gone by. Hidden behind the foliage and set into an original garden wall, Lesley discovered a beebole.

Traditionally, these cavities were created for bee keeping before hives were introduced but were more commonly used on large country estates. “The bee-bole is very rare and there are only a few in existence in the UK,”

says Lesley. “Durham University were very interested in the discovery and sent a team out to measure and record them.”

The extensive grounds include a series of open terraces, gardens and paddocks. The land surrounding the property is particularly appealing in the warmer half of the year.

“We’ve expanded the patio to catch the best of the sun,” says Lesley. “During the summer months, I love the outside the most. In the winter, I enjoy the inside of the farmhouse more – it’s very cosy especially with the log burners on. And the views over the Durham valley are always beautiful."

  • Viewly Grange Farm, Pity Me is on the market with Sanderson Young for £2.25m. For more information call 0191-223-3500.
  • To find out more about the work of the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity visit rainbowtrust.org.uk or call 0191-386-4400