Remote Rocks
One of Several – Out Skerries Archipelago (c) 2012 Mike Hackston
Almost a year since the Unique Property Bulletin went from a small paper based version to an online presence, and we are stunned. From 20 online visitors a day in the first week, the numbers just keep doubling over time. A heartfelt thank you to our readers. There are now frequently over 1,000 visitors each day and rising. This has taken us by surprise. A very nice surprise thankyou – and just goes to show the power of the internet.
A very useful thing is the website operation system – it lets you know which are the most popular Bulletin pages. This is important to us, because we dearly want to ensure property featured is what you, our visitors want to read about.
We are still wrestling with the content – what to include and what to exclude. For a reason still lost on us the most popular page, by a factor of three times to it’s nearest read by numbers, is the issue of 10th June 2012. We have asked ourselves why should this be? Is it because the place is remote, or off grid; the bargain price; the unique Radomes that were there; the large area of land included; the wonderful sea views?
If you have a view on what your favourite flavour of unusual property and location is please let us know – just contact is by clicking here so that we can include more of what our readers would like to see featured within the Unique Property Bulletin. Thankyou.
For now, we are experimenting by trying a slightly similar property to the 10th June 2012 Bulletin to see whether this hits the right note.
Out Skerries – Rocks, Rocks, Rocks. (c) 2012 Knight Frank
We present in this edition, some very remote islands – Skerries, meaning rocks. Or in this instance the word means a collection of small islands. The buyer of Outer Skerries (more accurately known as “Out Skerries”) will be acquiring a magnificent 600 acres in all. Maybe a little less area when the tide is in. The location is about as remote as you can get. The postcode should really be Norwegian. Seriously. These islands are almost equidistant between Norway and the British mainland. It is a fact they are nearer to Iceland, Sweden and Denmark than London. If you fancy off grid then this could be it. Off grid is becoming fashionable with both Kevin McCloud of Grand Designs, and George Clarke’s new television series Amazing Places featuring a new trend in places that are desireable to live.
Here we have a small archipelago centred around two main islands 25 miles north east of Lerwick, Shetland. Wonderful seabird life. Regular ferry crossings. For sale as a whole or in 5 lots.
Out Skerries forms a remote and beautiful island group. Housay and Bruray are the two main inhabited islands and they are linked by a bridge. In early summer the islands are covered in wild flowers and they are particularly famed for their splendid bird life. The sea around the islands provides excellent fishing with mackerel, flounder, lobster and crabs in abundance. There are a full range of school facilities up to A-level on the island. Getting there is an adventure in itself …
Skerry Ferry (c) 2012 Lis Burke
Even The Roads Have Wee Bridges – Out Skerries (c) 2012 Colin Park
There is excellent sailing, with frequent sightings of seals, whales and porpoises.
The main islands are held under crofting tenure. The Crofting community have been offered the opportunity to register their interest in acquiring the property but have formally declined from doing so. Further information is available from the selling agents.
Directions: Just go north till you drop off of the edge of the country then swim a bit (sorry bad humour). Please do NOT do this. The actual directions are included as you may need them. The Out Skerries are some 24 miles north east of Lerwick in Shetland and have a regular roll on roll off ferry service from Vidlin taking about 1.5 hours. A charter flight can also be arranged at Tinwall from north of Lerwick
NOT INCLUDED – YET?
Out Skerries Lighthouse (c) 2012 Joost
http://www.nlb.org.uk/LighthouseLibrary/Lighthouse/Out-Skerries-Lighthouse/
The lighthouse tower on Bound Skerry is NOT included for sale. But as landowner there are reversionary rights of first refusal should the lighthouse tower every come up for sale. Worth bearing in mind.
Location: Out Skerries Archipelago, Shetland, ZE2 9AR.
Tenure: Feuhold (Scottish Equivalent of Freehold).
Guide: Offers Over £400,000.
Contact Knight Frank Agencies Tel: 0131 222 9600 – Mr Ran Morgan
Online Brochure ….
http://search.knightfrank.com/edn100122
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Windmill Wonder
Old Windmill, Monkhill, Cumbria (c) 2012 Smith Gore
Built in the mid 1700s this Grade II listed windmill was renovated and extended in the late 1990’s. The unique accommodation provides four bedrooms and four reception rooms including a garden room. The modern extension houses the majority of the accommodation including a sitting room, study area, garden room, two bedrooms, a shower room and family bathroom.
Old Windmill Viewing Gallery (c) 2012 Smith Gore
Within this restored windmill there is a well appointed breakfast kitchen, two further bedrooms and on the top level is a gallery which provides wonderful views towards the Lake District fells, Solway Plain, and on clear days – from England to Scotland. The furniture in the windmill section of the property has been specially crafted to fit perfectly. Outside the property there are rear and side gardens.
Old Windmill, Monkhill, Cumbria (c) 2012 Smith Gore
The rear garden has been landscaped with a patio and decking area together with various plants and shrubs. There is a gravel drive providing parking for several vehicles and a detached garage.
Location: The Old Windmill, Monkhill, Burgh-By-Sands, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA5 6DB.
Tenure: Freehold.
Guide: £340,000.
Contact Smith Gore Agencies Tel: 01228 546400.
Online Details & Lots of Lovely Photographs ….
http://www.smithsgore.co.uk/property-for-sale-carlisle-3057447
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More Mills – Water Flavour
Upper Mill, Strathisla (c) 2012 Smith Gore
It isn’t often we feature two properties from the one agency in any single edition of the Unique Property Bulletin, but Smith Gore have done us all proud. Not only have they provided the wonderfully restored windmill, but they have also given us this excitingly priced watermill to feature. Not sure what is the more interesting – the property or the recently reduced price. As often quoted there’s more of a jingle with coin – and it won’t take that many coins to buy this stunner. Though the restoration may cost a little more, so dig deep into those pockets please. Also remember television presenters, George Clarke and Kevin McCloud are keen to chat with you if you would like.
Upper Mill Water Wheel (c) 2012 Smith Gore
Especially as the hard fought paperwork of a full planning permission and listed building consents to convert Upper Mill into a home have been successfully obtained.
Details: An early 19th century meal mill with kiln set in extensive landscaped grounds of about 3 acres with Full Planning and Listed Building Consents.
Upper Mill, Strathisla (c) 2012 Smith Gore
Upper Mill of Strathisla is situated in the beautiful Isla Valley between the small hamlet of Newmill and the town of Keith. The mill building is built of stone and the slate roof has recently been removed in preparation for its restoration. This historic building has occupied the site since the early 19th century although an earlier mill is understood to have stood here for several centuries. The current building comprises a two storey meal mill with kiln. The original paddle wheel and other machinery are still present. The restoration project appears to anticipate retaining some of the machinery and the kiln and reinstating the vented revolving ridge cowl to the kiln.
The Full Planning Consent and Listed Building Consent have been approved for a three bedroom dwelling with the accommodation spread over three floors.
Location: Upper Mill, Strathisla, Newmill, Keith, Banffshire, AB55 6LA.
Tenure: Feuhold (Scottish Equivalent of Freehold).
Guide: Currently Reduced To £75,000.
Contact Smith Gore Agencies Tel: 01343 823000.
Online Brochure ….
http://www.smithsgore.co.uk/property-for-sale-keith-2551268
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Please remember, in addition to our weekly Bulletin every Sunday at 9pm, our latest monthly feature to help you find some very unusual places to consider as a unique home are in the big red book – now reviewed …
National Assets – National Treasures
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Brick Barn – Banham
Red Brick Barn, Norfolk (c) 2012 Strutt & Parker
A barn conversion completed in 2007 providing versatile living accommodation with annexe, cartshed, garaging, terrace paving and gardens in this pretty south Norfolk village. Red Brick Barn was believed to be built around 1800 and was once part of a livestock farm. The renovation now provides a nicely presented barn for those who have a fondness for this sort of unusual home. The accommodation includes:-
Kitchen/Breakfast Room
Dining Room
Family Room
Sitting Room
Reception Hall
3 Bedrooms (2 en-suite)
Family Bathroom
Utility Room
Red Brick Barn, Norfolk (c) 2012 Strutt & Parker
There is also a North Wing Annexe comprising: 2 Bedrooms, Wet-Room Style Shower, Living Area with space for a Kitchen.
Outside, the grounds extend to around half an acre and have paved terracing, parking area, 4 bay cart shed, garaging and lawns.
Red Brick Barn, Norfolk (c) 2012 Strutt & Parker
The accommodation is well laid out and has spacious light rooms of good dimensions and ceiling heights. The internal floor space extends to approximately 4,000 square feet. The Barn makes an ideal family house with the north wing providing potential as a self-contained annexe.
Location: Red Brick Barn, Heath Road, Banham, Norwich, Norfolk, NR16 2DG.
Tenure: Freehold.
Guide: £569,000.
Contact Strutt & Parker Agencies Tel: 01603 883604 – Lizzie Barran – spelt Barran, not Barn !
Online Brochure ….
http://search.struttandparker.com/residential/heath-road-banham-norwich-nr16/10856
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Bevy of Barns
Treferwydd Farm Barn, Anglesey Island (c) 2012 Fine & Country
After last week’s emails, we thought it important to list a couple of barns for readers who have expressed a strong desire for this style of unusual property. Added to which, Anglesey Island is becoming the ‘in’ place to live. Apparently something to do with special neighbours – a young couple of newlyweds just set up home on the island.
Located in a wonderful rural setting in South West Anglesey, this fine detached barn conversion stands in own extensive grounds, enjoying spectacular countryside views towards the Snowdonia mountain range. The Barn, which is a stone-built former farm building, was purchased by the present owners in 2005. The property is laid out over two floors with oak flooring throughout the ground floor, an oak staircase and high quality timber framed double glazed doors and windows with tilt and turn mechanisms.
Barn Interior Feature Gallery (c) 2012 Fine & Country
Externally the residence also benefits from two well designed, strategically positioned balconies, made entirely of sturdy green oak. These balconies provide superb spots to fully appreciate the spectacular countryside views that are enjoyed across the entire property.
Outside there is a shale based driveway leading to an ample parking area that has a large detached Double Garage. A decoratively paved terrace extends across the breadth of the dwelling and out towards the generous lawned gardens that in turn extend to the garage and parking area. A woodland area, belonging to the Barn can be found at the far side of the Garage and driveway. Elegant perimeter stone walling and majestic trees protect the boundaries of the entire property.
Location: The Barn, Treferwydd Farm, Llangaffo, Isle of Anglesey, LL60 6LP.
Tenure: Freehold.
Guide: £535,000.
Contact Fine & Country Agencies Tel: 01248 711999.
Online Brochure ….
http://www.fineandcountry.co.uk/index.phpID=50018608&Itemid=33
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Vicarage Needs A Prayer
Fairhavens Vicarage, Tyne And Wear (c) Pugh & Company.
This former vicarage is a detached four bedroom house in need of refurbishment. It failed to sell at auction recently – 23rd October 2012: Lot 137a – so is possibly ready to go for a song.
The building is located approximately ½ of a mile south west of Gateshead, Tyne & Wear.
Accommodation:-
Ground Floor: Hall, Living Room, Kitchen, Utility Room, Shower Room/WC, Inner Hall, Bedroom and En Suite Shower Room/WC.
First Floor: Landing, Three Bedrooms and Bathroom/WC.
Outside: Driveway, Inner Courtyard and Enclosed Gardens.
Location: Fairhavens Vicarage, East Cemetery, Wordsworth Street, Gateshead, Tyne And Wear, NE8 3HE.
Tenure: Freehold.
Guide : Originally marketed at £185,000. Now price reduced to around £130,000 +.
But as this failed to sell at auction on 23rd October 2012. You may be in a strong position to haggle.
Contact Agencies Tel: 0844 2722444.
Online Brochure ….
http://www.theauctionpeople.co/Lot/Newcastle/20121023/137a
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In case you missed it, and in addition to our weekly Unique Property Bulletin – our NEW monthly FEATURE has been uploaded and is available via this link ….
Click Here For Monthly FEATURE
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and finally, just for fun ….
The Tide Mill at Woodbridge Suffolk (c) 2012 Ashley Dace.
Tide Mill View Cottage for rent. It may seem unusual, but one of the ways we that find unique properties is to leave the internet behind, and physically go somewhere for a look. There is a lot to be said for actually truffling around at a given location for the best of unusual homes, and also the keenest buys.
Here is a thought for this week’s edition of the Bulletin. Perhaps take a weekend wander around an area close to your heart.
Norfolk/Suffolk for example. There are dozens and dozens of former WWII Airfields, and still some old Air Towers in the area. Apposite for the day of this Bulletin 11th November 2012. There have been far too many of these iconic WWII Air Towers lost over the decades since the war.
The Tide Mill – Business End – Making Grain (c) 2012 Ashley Dace.
In the meantime, we would recommend a view of the old Tide Mill at Woodbridge. The Tide Mill View Cottage is a good base to have an exploration. Whilst in the area, maybe visit our top three favourites – the former RAF Bawdsey Manor site.
If a weekend away unique property hunting is for you, then further information at …
http://www.uniquehomestays.com/unique/details.asp?id=680
Or contact Unique Home Stays (no relation to ourselves – just spreading the word) telephone: 01637 881942.
Some photographs of the rare Tide Mill at Woodbridge …
http://woodbridgesuffolk.info/Woodbridge/Phot/TideMill.htm
Tidemill Way Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1BP.
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However you get on, please consider letting us know about your unique adventures?
You can do this via an email – just click HERE Thank you.
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Unique Property Bulletin
Unique Property For Unique People
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