A former railway station on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, that featured in the 1951 film ‘Another Man’s Poison’, starring Bette Davis, has been recently transformed into a four bedroom, four bathroom home that is now for sale with our Skipton office.
The Bell Busk Railway Station stopped operating in 1959 and has had several reincarnations over the years, most recently as a bed and breakfast. Owners Bob and Sheila Marchant bought the tired and slightly run down property in 2009 and set about rejuvenating the business. Known as ‘Tudor House’ the property is packed with characterful features connecting it to the past.
Bob said: “If the walls could speak I’m sure they would have some interesting stories to tell! Bette Davis and her husband Gary Merill starred in the film, which neither apparently rated – unfortunately the critics didn’t either! The property and platform enjoyed 5 minutes of fame though in the opening sequence, with the rest of the filming taking place around Malham and in a studio in Surrey.
“When the station was operating, local people enjoyed catching a glimpse of the famous Flying Scotsman and it’s fair to say it would be a dream home for any train enthusiasts!
“We bought what was 'Tudor House' as we were looking for a new challenge, having sold my marketing services business in Central Europe. My wife left her career in ladies fashion retailing and we set about completely renovating the building.
The Bell Busk Railway Station stopped operating in 1959 and has had several reincarnations over the years, most recently as a bed and breakfast. Owners Bob and Sheila Marchant bought the tired and slightly run down property in 2009 and set about rejuvenating the business. Known as ‘Tudor House’ the property is packed with characterful features connecting it to the past.
Bob said: “If the walls could speak I’m sure they would have some interesting stories to tell! Bette Davis and her husband Gary Merill starred in the film, which neither apparently rated – unfortunately the critics didn’t either! The property and platform enjoyed 5 minutes of fame though in the opening sequence, with the rest of the filming taking place around Malham and in a studio in Surrey.
“When the station was operating, local people enjoyed catching a glimpse of the famous Flying Scotsman and it’s fair to say it would be a dream home for any train enthusiasts!
“We bought what was 'Tudor House' as we were looking for a new challenge, having sold my marketing services business in Central Europe. My wife left her career in ladies fashion retailing and we set about completely renovating the building.
“In the years we ran it as a B&B we reduced the number of rooms from seven to five and brought the place into the 21st century in terms of amenities, giving all the rooms en-suite facilities. We also completely updated and refreshed the communal areas with a focus on luxury. Outside we created a patio area on the old platform, with a fire pit and BBQ, so guests could enjoy some fresh air and even watch the occasional steam train pass by! The business was a success but hard work.
“It’s now time for us to retire and explore other adventures and we decided to refurbish the building to create a beautiful family home. Transforming it into a lovely four bedroomed, four bathroom house, with a flexible open plan living area, as well a huge lounge and even bigger kitchen diner has made the property ideal for modern families.”
Julia Green, office manager, at our Skipton branch said: “It’s such a special property with a really interesting past. Key features include the exposed stone chimneys and beams, vaulted ceilings, open fireplaces and wood burners, and the outstanding kitchen. The high-specification bathrooms are also a real selling point.
“The Old Station House is located in the most idyllic rural setting of lower Malhamdale with the Yorkshire Dales National Park on its doorstep. With quick and easy access into Skipton, Leeds and beyond it’s also ideal for people looking to commute. A substantial detached property in the semi-rural Hamlet of Bell Busk, set in good sized gardens with abundant parking and far reaching views – you can see why it played a starring role on the big screen.”
