Farmhouse in fantastic location will appeal to cultivated buyers

Old Low Moor Farm, Knayton, near Thirsk; price: in excess of £900,000; contact: Jackson, Stops, Staff, York, tel: 01904 625033, www.jackson-stops. co.uk THIS idyllic farmhouse comes with a one-bedroom cottage and planning permission to convert an adjacent barn.

This property potential, along with 12 acres of land, looks set to appeal to an array of would-be buyers. It would suit those who want multi-generational living, hobby farmers who crave land and those who fancy a home with income-generating holiday lets.

For owners Richard and Margaret Northrop, it was the location and atmosphere that compelled them to buy it.

“We walked into the courtyard, looked at each other and said: ‘Yes, this is the one’. It’s a fantastic location,” says Richard.

The couple moved to Old Low Moor Farm in 2000 from Henley on Thames. They were keen to return to their native Yorkshire and to be closer to their son, who lives in the North East.

“The previous owners were an architect and an interior designer so there wasn’t a lot to do in the house, although we have updated bathrooms over the years,” says Richard.

Instead, he and Margaret invested in the old granary, converting it into a one-bedroom cottage for friends and family.

“It has been fantastic and has enabled us to keep in touch with the friends we left behind in the South as they enjoy coming up to stay. The barn could be converted and would make a fabulous home, but it’s not something we wanted or needed to do,” adds Richard.

The property sits in the middle of its own land in a pretty courtyard. The front door opens into a dining hall with cloakroom off. The ground floor also has a drawing room and front sitting room, plus a study and a large breakfast kitchen with two-oven Aga cooker and fitted units. The rear hall provides access to a pantry, laundry and separate WC.

A staircase rises from the dining hall to the landing, which leads to the main bedroom with wardrobes and en-suite bathroom. There are three further

We walked into the courtyard, looked at each other and said: ‘Yes, this is the one.’

bedrooms as well as a shower room.

The Granary cottage on the opposite side of the courtyard has a spacious, open-plan living space on the ground floor and a bedroom with en-suite above.

Further buildings adjoin including a loose box, mistal, garaging, tractor shed and barn with extensive storage facilities. A separate storeroom houses the oil tank. A further barn provides stabling and a log store and has consent for conversion.

The farm has 12 acres of land, including grassland, a tennis court, garden and kitchen garden.

Richard and Margaret are selling to move into Thirsk and are leaving with regret.

“We are getting older and so we are moving somewhere without a large garden and where we will be close to the shops,” adds Richard. “We are going with great reluctance because we both love this house and we have many happy memories of living here.”