The story behind Whitburn's £1million Red Cottage as it looks for a new owner

A distinctive house which proved to be a showcase of skills is on the market – with estate agents calling it a “impressive and rare” find for buyers.
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The five-bedroomed detached home in Church Lane in Whitburn is on sale for £999,999 with Michael Hodgson, which is based in Athenaeum Street in Sunderland city centre.

Grade II listed, it offers five rooms downstairs – a kitchen and family room, a garden room, dining room, lounge and living room – while upstairs also offers two en suite bathrooms and a large bathroom.

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The house is just a short distance from the village’s cricket ground, shops, cafes, bars and an easy walk to the coast.

The Red Cottage is a landmark home in the village of Whitburn.The Red Cottage is a landmark home in the village of Whitburn.
The Red Cottage is a landmark home in the village of Whitburn.

The eye-catching building was built as a show house for a local brick maker as he looked to put his variety of speciality bricks on display.

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South Tyneside Council’s history section states: “Built in 1842 by Benjamin Green for Thomas Barnes.

"Barnes was a industrialist who owned a quarry and a brickworks.

The house proves a magical sight under the cover of twilight.The house proves a magical sight under the cover of twilight.
The house proves a magical sight under the cover of twilight.
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"He built this house with the range of bricks he used to manufacture.

"The house was almost an advertising platform for his business.

"On the chimney seen between the tree there is a cricket stump and to the right of that is another chimney with a cricket ball in place.

The house is set in large landscaped grounds with mature trees and bushes.The house is set in large landscaped grounds with mature trees and bushes.
The house is set in large landscaped grounds with mature trees and bushes.

"No one knows why they were placed there but it may reflect the fact that one of the owners of the house was a keen cricketer.”

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The property’s marketing details adds: “It’s interesting features include arched doors and windows, open fires and a patchwork style roof adorned with cricket stump and cricket ball.

"This Grade II property boasts many original and period features whilst retaining its charm and elegance and will not fail to impress all who view.”

The home offers five bedrooms, with two en suites and a family bathroom.The home offers five bedrooms, with two en suites and a family bathroom.
The home offers five bedrooms, with two en suites and a family bathroom.

It has stunning grounds featuring an extensive mature walled garden filled with plants, trees and shrubs in addition to a south and west facing patio and generous lawn – the particulars say the spacious lawn was previously used as a tennis court.

There is also a garden store room and shed space to the rear of the garage, an old air raid shelter and a “superb green house.”

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