Even as historic houses go, Carr End is remarkable. Built in 1667 by John Fothergill, a forebear of Dr John Fothergill, the renowned botanist and physician regarded as a pioneer in his field, Carr End has been extended in both the 18th and 19th centuries and no doubt modernised to accommodate the fashion of the day a great many times, but it still retains a wealth of original features which give it a unique charm.
Providing an insight into life at this special house is an archive of original historical documents comprising visitors’ books, diaries and receipts dating back to the 1600s which has been preserved and added to over the centuries.
Within the archive various noteworthy guests are documented, including the painter JMW Turner.
Today, as when it was built, Carr End is an excellent example of a small country estate in the Yorkshire Dales.
Not the least of its virtues is its elevated position nestled into the crag overlooking Lake Semerwater, with uninterrupted views across Raydale featuring the rolling hills and dry stone walls that typify the Yorkshire Dales landscape.
The main house is, as you would expect, immaculately presented, having been renovated to a high standard to combine the comforts of modern living with its historic character and period features which include stone flag floors, exposed beams, traditional fireplaces and an exquisite stone staircase.
Carr End’s accommodation – almost 5,200sq.ft in all – include an entrance hall with oak door and stone flag flooring; the drawing room with fireplace and original oak panelling; sitting room with substantial fireplace and original stone lintel; formal dining room with views over the gardens and grounds, oak panelling and a feature fireplace; the main dining kitchen fitted with marble-topped pine units and an AGA; a second hallway and a snug.
A second kitchen or scullery lies at the eastern end of the house and is home to an AGA and a sizeable pantry. Beyond this is the boiler room with cloakroom, a modest garden room overlooking the walled garden, a boot room and workshop with various accesses to the gardens.
Three staircases lead up to the first floor, the main staircase being a particularly handsome feature with a stone cantilever design lit by the original Venetian window.
Off the first floor landing are a family bathroom, study, the master bedroom with a fireplace and en-suite bathroom, plus a further six double bedrooms, three of which benefit from en-suite shower rooms.
The property is encircled by a rock garden with cascading waterfall, lawned areas, an orchard and the original walled garden, believed to have been established by the Fothergill family. Screened by the original stone wall the formal garden with stone flagged terrace falls away to the beck which runs the width of the property and is crossed by a stone footbridge connecting the southern lawns to the house and gardens. Each of these areas offers magnificent views over the surrounding countryside.
In addition to the main house, the property includes a substantial traditional barn, a range of outbuildings and a further field barn plus a two-storey stone-built boathouse, formerly used as boat storage. To the rear of it is the original stone-built ice house – dating back to 1667 – which is set into the rockside.
In all, the estate extends to approximately 22.79 acres which includes amenity grassland, shingle beach and a tranche of Lake Semerwater together with sailing and fishing rights.
The traditional barn and 6.21 acres of land is let on an agricultural holdings act tenancy, with the remaining farmland let on an annual farm business tenancy, providing a modest income stream.
Some of the estate’s low lying fields form part of the designated Semerwater Site of Special Scientific Interest and provide a habitat for a host of wildlife.
Carr End, located on the south-western bank of Lake Semerwater, sits in an enviable position in the heart of Wensleydale, close to the hamlet of Countersett.
It is on the market at a guide price of £1.5m.
For more information or to arrange a viewing, please contact Savills’ York office on 01904 617800.
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