• Outstanding Georgian house and gardens +
• Substantial accommodation of nearly 5000 sq ft +
• Circa 1812 and Grade II listed +
• Tranquil setting with lovely views +
• Driveway, ample parking, double garage with room over +
• Mature, varied and extensive gardens – south facing +
• Prime Howardian Hills village +
• 3.5 miles to Ampleforth College +

Glorious Georgian house set in 1.2 acres in the heart of a Howardian Hills village.

This charming former rectory lies adjacent to the historic village church, set back from a side lane and concealed discreetly behind a handsome garden and sweeping drive. The house itself is believed to date circa 1812 although the cellars reveal evidence of a building dating from pre-Reformation times. In 1870 the house was significantly extended to include two double-storey bays at the rear, and a small extension was added some sixty years ago. Colourful history accompanies the house; in the late nineteenth century cricket-loving Prince Ranjitsinhji of Nawanger resided there with the rector and, more recently, during keys moments of his chancellorship, a British chancellor was a regular visitor. Superb gardens of great variety wrap around three sides of the property and, at the rear, behind the extensive lawns, the gardens rise steeply to provide glorious views towards the edge of the North York Moors.

Entrance and staircase hall, cloakroom wc, 3 reception rooms, kitchen/breakfast room, pantry, utility room, boot room, cellar
5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, games room/bedroom 6, storage room
Double garage with room above, wood store
Front and rear gardens

In all some 1.2 acres

Find Out A Little More .... - The Old Rectory wears its heritage and status with pride. Constructed of mellow stone with stone quoins under a Westmoreland slate roof, its striking symmetry at the front belies the fact that it is discreetly attached to ‘Rectory End’ by means of the boot room on its eastern flank. The interiors are glorious with rich architectural detail: there is a fine staircase, servants’ bells, tall multi-pane sash windows with working shutters, deep sills with window seats, ornate cornicing and plasterwork, wooden panelling, alcoves, handsome fireplaces and restored floorboards. Much of the original cast iron guttering remains intact. The current owners have sympathetically restored the property, developing the second floor to create versatile space of some 800 sq ft.

A traditional panelled front door opens to an impressive galleried reception hall and sweeping staircase with polished handrail and delicate spindles. The two principal reception rooms lie side by side and have open fires, deep canted bays with wooden shutters and floor-to-ceiling windows that face south across the rear garden. At the front, the sitting room is double aspect, has wood panelling, a handsome alcove and a wood-burning stove. The kitchen breakfast room can comfortably accommodate a family-sized table and lies adjacent to the formal dining room. Fitted by the Handmade Kitchen Company in Pickering the kitchen has an oil-fired Aga, recently refurbished and reglazed, as well as an induction hob, granite worktops, Butler sink and traditional larder. Alongside is the utility and boot room giving access to the front drive. The cellars have a good ceiling height and provide pantry and wine storage.