Escape to the country for natural beauty on doorstep
If you want to be far from the madding crowd with views of Yorkshire’s most glorious landscape, this could be the house for you. Sharon Dale reports.
FINDING peace and quiet in this noisy, fast-paced world is difficult and locating a property with no traffic noise is even harder.
That’s why interest in East Routengill looks set to be high. The isolated farmhouse offers blissful tranquility and spectacular views in one of Yorkshire’s hidden Dales.
Waldendale, along with its neighbours Cotterdale and Colsterdale, are well off the tourist track and are little known except by sheep, their farmers and the odd rambler.
The valley on the south side of Wensleydale is served by Walden Beck, a tributary of the River Ure that offers good fishing and feeds the area’s verdant beauty
East Routengill is in North Walden, the most sparsely populated part of the dale, which is renowned for its rich community spirit and traditional values. It is four miles from the nearest village, West Burton, and 11 from the market town of Leyburn. The property sits down a long cul-de-sac road that turns into a short stretch of track used only by its neighbour West Routengill.
The house, which comes with 53 acres of land, is need of complete modernisation as the previous owner was content to live with just the basics. It needs a damp course and a rewire and there is no central heating, though a Rayburn and open fires have helped keep the place warm for the last few decades.
Its dilapidated state is unlilkely to deter would-be buyers who will see the chance to modernise as a bonus on top of the real prize, which is the property’s romantic appeal. The house offers a rare chance to get away from it all in the very heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. That prospect looks set to excite a rush of enquiries from across Britain and beyond.
Estate agent Tim Gower, of Robin Jessop, says: “Properties like this are becoming very rare indeed. It really is an escape from the rest of the world. When they come on the market we get a lot of interest and thanks to the power of the internet we get enquiries from all over the world.
“We’ve recently sold a rural property to a gentleman from the Far East and another to someone from Hong Kong and that’s because they saw the houses online.”
He adds: “East Routengill is likely to appeal to those who want a change in lifestyle or to those with equestrian or stock rearing interests. It would also be a great base to work from home in beautiful and tranquil surroundings.”
Although he sees many beautiful country homes, Leyburn-based Tim is in raptures about this small, remote farm.
“It is absolutely idyllic and the view is constantly changing shape and colour depending on the weather and the angle of the sun. There is also considerable amenity value in it as it has a wealth of mature trees, wild flowers and a delightful stream all readily to hand and part of the property.
“Plus, although it is isolated, you do have the benefit of one neighbour at West Routengill, which was bought and renovated last year.”
The south-facing farm is in a sheltered spot, near Walden Head, and has a detached, stonebuilt house with substantial gardens and grounds plus 53 acres of grassland. The previous owner let some of this land to a local farmer. There is a range of stone barns and outbuildings, including a two storey hay store that could be turned into ancillary accommodation if the Dales National Park planners agree.
There is also a detached Dutch barn, a series of field barns, a log store and garaging. The farmhouse has mains electricity, water from a spring and drainage to a septic tank. Inside, there is a hallway, kitchen, sitting room and living room. Upstairs, there are three bedrooms and a bathroom.
“It has a lot of potential. It is largely untouched and superbly positioned in a protected area that is unlikely ever to change,” says Tim.