New station in life for home full of rail heritage
Station House, Moor Monkton £425,000 www.blenkinandco.com
Former railway man and rail enthusiast Dave Howlett admits that buying the grand old former station house at Marston Moor, Moor Monkton, was a thrill.
But the property’s rail connections were not the primary lure for him and his wife, Sue.
“The main trigger for us buying it was that the house had a lovely homely feel to it and there was potential for us to turn it into a B&B, which would generate a second income. The fact that it appealed to my interest was the icing on the cake,” says Dave.
The couple, who bought the house in 1987, spent six happy years welcoming guests from all over the world.
“That first session we had 19 different nationalities. It was fascinating and some of the people who came to stay regularly became friends,” says Dave. The property is now a much-loved home that has been sensitively modernised, retaining its period features and while it sits on the railway line between Harrogate and York, the trains are not intrusive. “They start at 7am and run until 10.30pm and there is one an hour and it goes past in three seconds,” says Dave.
He and Sue are selling to downsize to a home closer to their daughter and he adds: “We have very much enjoyed living here. It has been a lovely home for the last 33 years.”
Edward Hartshorne of Blenkin and Co estate agents says: “This fine property stands as testament to the superior architectural quality of railway buildings constructed during the heyday of the Victorian era. “Now fully modernised and beautifully restored, this charming house has large and light rooms facing south over the lovely garden with rural views all round.
“Attractive period features abound including high ceilings, ornate cornicing and ceiling rose, deep windows, panelling, sweeping staircase, two original fireplaces in good working order and a decorative bedroom fireplace.” On the ground floor, there is a kitchen, pantry, utility room, dining room, family room and a 21ft sitting room, which was formerly the ticket office and waiting room.
The garden room was formerly the station master’s office and the study was a ladies waiting room. On the first floor are three large bedrooms and a shower room.
Outside, there is a drive and a cottage garden that replaced what was once Marston Moor railway platform.