A former care home in County Durham has been put up for sale. The two-storey Howlish Hall on Howlish Lane, Bishop Auckland, extends to approximately 18,987 sq ft and dates back to the early 1700s.
The building, which has mature grounds and is surrounded by woodland, sits on a circa 2.37-acre site and has 25 car parking spaces.
Internally, the property provides 38 bedrooms, including 25 en-suite rooms, alongside a range of communal facilities, including two resident lounges, a dining room, commercial kitchen, communal bathroom and WC facilities, together with office accommodation and additional storage space within an attic area. The property is suitable for a variety of alternative uses, subject to planning permission.
The freehold property is being sold by Watling Real Estate on the instructions of joint receivers Andrew Foster and Chris Walker. The property was formerly owned by Williams & Spenceley Ltd, which entered into liquidation in April 2026.
Max Foster, a surveyor in Watling’s Leeds office, said: “The property offers a unique blend of historic character and modern accommodation, comprising two distinct elements. The original Grade II-listed hall dates back to approximately 1700, with extensive additions made during the late 18th century. Complementing the historic accommodation is a substantial modern extension, completed in 2004 and opened in 2005.
“In addition to the property’s setting, Howlish Hall enjoys exceptional panoramic views across the surrounding countryside. Having most recently operated as a care home, the property offers a flexible configuration that could support a variety of future uses. This includes residential, care and specialist accommodation along with the potential to meet other occupier requirements. There is significant scope for redevelopment or variation of the existing building subject to planning and listed building considerations.”
