Tearoom in the Listed village of Blanchland, in the North Pennines.

27th August 2008, 11:01am

The White Monk Tearoom, which trades from the Old School in the beautiful Northumberland village of Blanchland, close to Derwent Reservoir and within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, has been placed on the market with the Newcastle office of international restaurant agents, Christie + Co.

Set within the Upper Derwent Valley, beneath magnificent fells, Blanchland is one of the most attractive small villages in the North and one of only six Listed villages in England. Built of stone from the remains of the 12th Century Abbey, Blanchland retains a special atmosphere and has featured in many films and novels. The historic village contains 11 scheduled ancient monuments, 46 Listed buildings and is a Village Conservation Area.

The White Monk Tearoom is located in The Square, in the centre of the village, just a 10 minute scenic drive from the A68, within half an hour of Hexham, Corbridge, Consett and Stanhope and less than an hour from Newcastle and Durham.

The tearoom takes its name from the 12th Century 'White Monks' who founded Blanchland Abbey. The Old School was built in 1866 and has been sympathetically restored to retain its character features. The detached, two-storey, stone property comprises two dining areas to seat 53 customers, a walled garden to seat 20 customers, a large gravel area to the front and a car park to the rear.

The tearoom is a focal point of the community and attracts customers who regularly travel from across the Derwent Valley and Northumberland to sample the excellent, locally sourced and homemade food. The business also benefits from a regular coach party trade and is ideally located to attract the many tourists who visit this fascinating village and scenic area for walking and cycling in the North Pennines, or sailing and fishing on the Derwent Reservoir.

Brent Smithson of Christie + Co's Newcastle office, comments: "After 12 years of ownership, the proprietor Jill Lumley has reluctantly decided to sell the White Monk Tearoom to concentrate on private matters. The sale offers a rare opportunity to acquire the only tearoom in one of the most picturesque villages in the north of England.

This is a well established business with a monopoly trading position, low rental and overheads and an idyllic setting which will appeal to the many buyers seeking a 'lifestyle business'. We anticipate a high level of interest."

Christie + Co is seeking £80,000 for the remaining nine years of the current 12-year lease, with current annual rent of £5,000.