Heartbeat country home that has story to tell about arts and crafts
THIS stunning house boasts beautiful architecture, a prime position in Heartbeat country and a fascinating history
Built in 1897 in coursed sandstone with herringboned tooled lintels, Glenhead is a classic example of the Arts and Craft style and there is a clue to its origins on the date stone above the door, which is inscribed with the initials CGP.
Examination of the deeds by the present owners revealed that the initials belonged to the original owner Christian Gottlieb Padel. Herr Padel came from Christianfeld in northern Germany and trained as a concert pianist at Leipzig Conservatoire under a former pupil of Beethoven. He moved to England in the 1850s, eventually taking over his uncle’s practice, and taught music in York and Harrogate. He was a member of the York Symphony Orchestra and was one of many successful pillars of Yorkshire society who commissioned impressive holiday homes in Goathland.
Long before Heartbeat, the village attracted tourists who travelled by steam train to enjoy the dramatic moorland scenery. Herr Padel used to tell a story of the train stopping regularly on its way there. On being asked what the problem was, the guard explained: “Cow on the line, sir.” At last the train moved on, but soon stopped again. He asked the guard, “What now?” “Cow on the line, sir.” “What, another cow?” “No, sir. Same cow.”
The house was sold after Herr Padel’s wife Clara died in 1917 and he moved to Carlisle, where his son was headmaster of the grammar school. He entertained the pupils every morning with a Beethoven piano sonata.
Since then, the property has retained many of its original features, including panelled doors, beamed ceilings, parquet floors and dressed stone fireplaces, though it has been modernised thanks to the family who bought it in 1971.
Yvonne Fairclough, who now owns the house jointly with her brother, says: “Our family has connections with Goathland going back many years, which is why my parents bought the house. They were going to retire here but we ended up using it as a holiday home. We have had lots of happy times here. In fact I was married in Whitby and held my wedding reception at the house.
“We love it and we’ve been coming here for so long that it just feels like home, but the time has come to sell.”
Glenhead sits on a large 1.1 acre site in a secluded location with views of fields and the heather moors. Inside, it has a sitting room, dining room, kitchen, boot room, cloak room, five bedrooms and two bathrooms.
Kate Hardwick, of Smiths Gore, says: “This is a charming and atmospheric house with lovely grounds and a fascinating history. It will make either a fabulous main residence or holiday home in this pretty conservation village.”