Country life in an idyllic hamletwith great links
The Stables, Raygill Price: £875,000 www.hunters.com
Tucked away in the idyllic hamlet of Raygill in Lothersdale, this barn conversion has the twin benefits of being rural and secluded while being a short drive from Skipton and an even shorter one to the train station in Cononley, which has links to Leeds and Bradford.
Rachael and Andrew Varley spotted its potential 18 years ago when planning permission was given to convert it into a home.
“We lived close by in Cowling and heard about it from a friend who was selling it. We thought it through over the weekend and decided to buy it,” says Andrew, who adds that it was one of the best decisions they ever made.
The couple spent 18 months living in a caravan while the detached limestone barn, once used to stable pit ponies from a nearby quarry, was turned into a five-bedroom house. Since moving in, they have developed the gardens and added a pond and a summerhouse with a woodburning stove.
Leaving it will be difficult but will be softened by the fact that they are planning to live close by.
“We are downsizing and are converting the nearby garage into a house. We really don’t want to leave the area as it has such a lovely community.
“We also have Raygill Fisheries fishing lakes close by, where there is a bar and takeaway, and Lothersdale village is in walking distance,” says Andrew.
The Stables offers a high degree of privacy due to its enclosed walled garden. Inside, the heart of the home is the large living-diningkitchen. There is also a pantry and cloakroom, three reception rooms and an office area plus five bedrooms and three bathrooms.
Estate agent Andrew Procter of Hunters says: “The layout of the property is ideal for home workers, families with teenage children or elderly or visiting relatives as it has a wing with a large study/living room, two bedrooms and a bathroom.”
Outside, there are gardens, patio areas, a large pond, a summerhouse, a greenhouse, fire pit surrounded by stone seats plus a wood-fired oven. The large area at the front of the property can accommodate parking for up to 10 vehicles.
Lothersdale is a small village with a community run park, church, chapel, pub, village hall, Clubhouse and Ofsted rated outstanding primary school.
Cononley and Crosshills are only a 10 minute drive away with the popular market town of Skipton, a 20 minute drive.