For sale: the farm that has plenty of untapped potential

Manor Farm, Bempton, £895,000, www.carterjonas.co.uk

Like many others before them, Judith Fitch and her partner Phil Woodhead had tired of living in London and dreamed of escaping to the country.

Their list of wants and needs was long but in 2014 fate stepped in and they stumbled across their ideal home.

“We found Manor Farm by accident and it was perfect as we wanted a good quality of life somewhere rural and somewhere we could keep animals,” says Judith.

Swapping their one-and-ahalf bedroom flat in the city for Manor Farm, a Grade II listed Georgian farmhouse with land, an annexe and outbuildings, has brought them immense joy and in return they have invested in the property.

Since moving there, they have installed a new heating system and heritage double-glazed windows, revamped the interiors, redug and lined a natural pond where they now keep koi carp and turned a derelict swimming pool into a suntrap seating area.

The property also helped them realise a dream of fostering rescue donkeys as it has two paddocks, a field shelter and stable and they were also able to keep sheep and chickens.

The adjoining annexe is perfect for friends and family or for use as a holiday let.

Judith and Phil are now “future-proofing” for older age and are selling to downsize but they are leaving with many happy memories.

“We have loved living here.

It’s a lovely quiet village and the amazing Bempton cliffs are just over a mile away,” says Judith, who adds that would-be buyers will also find plenty of untapped potential at the farm, including stables and a granary that could be converted into living space.

Manor Farm, built in 1820, has an entrance hallway, music room, dining room, kitchen breakfast room with Aga, utility room, additional reception room with multi-fuel stove and cloakroom with WC.

To the first floor are two large bedrooms, an ensuite, an office and family bathroom. On the top floor are two further bedrooms. Adjoining the house is an annexe with a sitting room, kitchen, bathroom and mezzanine space.

Outside are stables, a tack room, a granary with first-floor rooms and ample storage or parking below, large gardens, koi pond with covered jetty, two paddocks, a stable, a shelter and an allotment complete with raised beds.

Contact: Carter Jonas, York, tel: 01904 558250, www.carterjonas.co.uk