BUYERS WILL FEEL AT ‘HOLME’ IN GORGEOUS GEORGIAN LODGE

A gorgeous Georgian lodge is for sale for the first time in 37 years. Holme Lodge is a prestigious, six bedroom, late Georgian residence situated in the rural hamlet of Holme on Swale between Thirsk and Ripon. It is on the market for £1.5m with Dacre, Son & Hartley Ripon.

Approached via a long, sweeping gravel track lined by horse chestnut trees, Holme Lodge enjoys an enviable countryside setting but is also easily accessible. 
Estate agent, Ben Buckley, from Dacre, Son & Hartley in Ripon, said: “With stone steps leading to the large front door and into the welcoming entrance hall, Holme Lodge is a really impressive period property in a great location in the heart of the breathtaking North Yorkshire countryside. All the main rooms in the Grade II listed home benefit from beautifully high corniced ceilings and large floor to ceiling windows. With three office rooms there is plenty of space for anyone wanting to work from home too. There is also an excellent wine cellar.” 

Owners, Mr and Mrs McCourt have lived at Holme Lodge since 1983 and plan to move locally. Sandra McCourt said: “It’s the ideal family home due to the scale and space of the property and gardens. My husband used to work in London but has worked from home at Holme Lodge since the early 1990’s when it was not the norm! Holme Lodge proved to be the best place from which to grow our consultancy business with the ample office space being perfect for hosting meetings, and the bedrooms ideal for people to stay overnight. We have had hundreds of guests over the years and as well as being a great place to do business from, it’s been ideal for events and parties too. We use one of the rooms in the stables as a shabby-chic venue for alfresco parties and family gatherings for up to 25 people and we have also used it for our children’s weddings. In addition we have hosted music events and church fetes in the gardens.” 

The large study and drawing room both have elegant high ceilings and attractive cornices, with wood burning stoves set within Adam style fireplaces and long Georgian, shuttered windows. The dining room leads onto a balcony with views across the old tennis court lawn towards the coach house and walled garden. There are also delightful views across the garden and fields from the bright airy kitchen that includes an Aga and pantry. 

On the first floor, which is reached by both back and front staircases, there are four large double bedrooms. The main bedroom has a dressing room as well as superb high ceilings, long windows and a basket fireplace. There is a large family bathroom, a further shower room and a laundry room. The top floor has two more double bedrooms, alongside a good-sized shower room. 

The lower ground floor has a large three-room office with w/c, kitchen and its own entrance through a courtyard. Behind the office is a series of cellar rooms which include a wine cellar and workshop. Ben added: “Outside the property is equally impressive with its Victorian walled garden, an old coach house, stables and many associated buildings that back onto a farm situated behind the property. These buildings could offer scope for further development provided the necessary planning consents were obtained. One of the buildings includes an interesting garden room which the current owners have used for parties, celebrations and barbecues.”

Sandra added: “We love our old walled garden and the newer 30-year-old field garden which are separated by a ha-ha. The gardens have many herbaceous plants and a profusion of climbing roses, honeysuckle and clematis. There is also a prolific fig tree, a peach tree and a fine example of a lemon-perfumed grandiflora magnolia which is a real delight in summer. The garden also boasts a yew tree, reputed to be about 600 years old, a rose walk and laburnum arch. The orchard has apples, damsons, plums and medlar. There is a small woodland to the front of our home which houses a wildlife pond and clearing. During winter there are a profusion of snowdrops, aconites, daffodils and bluebells. Cherry blossoms range throughout the grounds and there is a cacophony of bird song throughout. It’s the ideal place for a family and we have approximately five acres of space in total, so it’s very private.”  

Ben added: “Holme Lodge is in the heart of the countryside, but the main East Coast railway line stops approximately five miles away at Carlton Miniott (Thirsk station) with direct links to London Kings Cross. For the commuter, situated two miles away there is access to the A19, A1/M and arterial roads leading to the larger commercial areas of Leeds, Teesside, York and Harrogate. The property is located far enough away that the A1 cannot be heard but close enough to be in some towns and cities within just 30 minutes.”

Call Dacre, Son & Hartley Ripon on 01765 605151 or click here for more information.