Minster Hill

Fine Edwardian country house and cottage with stabling, paddocks and outbuildings in an idyllic Howardian Hills setting between Malton and York. In all some 12 acres.

Minster Hill enjoys an enviable position within a picturesque rural valley at the edge of the Howardian Hills, surrounded by its own land and elevated high above the river Derwent. From many of the windows glorious views extend to the meandering river and beyond to the hills on the western edge of the Yorkshire Wolds. Some of the finest North Yorkshire countryside can be enjoyed in all directions and as far as the eye can see. The property itself is made up of many components with a range of traditional outbuildings including stabling, well established gardens, paddocks and woodland as well as Minster Hill Cottage, a charming eighteenth century cottage. In the same ownership for thirty three years, Minster Hill is a remarkable property that would now benefit from renovation.

Principal house: vestibule, entrance hall, wc, 3 reception rooms, conservatory, kitchen breakfast room, utility room, walk-in larder, study, 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Cottage: kitchen, sitting room, bathroom, 3 first floor rooms
Barn: double garage, single garage, 4 loose boxes, tack room, store, hayloft, first floor offices. Dutch barn, additional stores, woodshed, 2 glass houses, chicken coop and run
Tennis court, formal gardens, 3 paddocks, woodland

In all some 12 acres

Additional Details - Built during the Edwardian era, the house at Minster Hill was designed to enjoy its lofty position overlooking its land and the river valley beyond. The rooms are generally large and bright with far-reaching views from both floors embracing pastures and woodland. Its turn of the century heritage is visible in the brass fittings on the traditional hardwood doors, open fires, original staircase and windows generously placed to welcome in swathes of natural light. The principal reception rooms face south and all have fireplaces, the cosy snug has a log burning stove. Judiciously placed is an Amdega conservatory overlooking the walled garden with its colourful herbaceous borders. The country kitchen is served by a traditional larder with cold stone slab and cupboards, and a large utility/laundry room. There is a 4-oven oil fired Aga, fitted cabinets and space for a family-sized dining table. Upstairs are six bedrooms, five with fitted cupboards and wardrobes. The principal bedroom and its accompanying bathroom enjoy some privacy being on the western wing of the property. There is also a useful study and an alarmed cupboard safe with gun cabinet. The part boarded loft holds the pressurized mains water tank and shower header tank. Outside but attached to the house are two useful stores, one holding the oil tank, and the other a wood store.

Outside - An avenue of hornbeams lines the long drive from the leafy village lane passing the tennis court (in need of renovation) and equipment store and overseen by a magnificent lime tree. The stabled garage block, outbuildings and cottage are contiguous with the principal house, and ample parking is offered on the hardstanding. A pergola clad with climbing rose connects the house to a formally laid garden on the western boundary. A further garden descends gently down the valley, accessed from the conservatory at the rear of the house; it has deep herbaceous borders and flower beds planted for all year colour, a pond and is walled on two sides. All of the land – both paddocks and woodland - surround the house with the smaller holding paddock conveniently located in front of the stables. Five oak trees planted a generation ago frame the house and there are two areas of well-established mixed woodland, each with sixty trees, on the southern and northern boundaries.

Outbuildings - The stabled garage block has four loose boxes and a tack room, store room and garaging, all with power and light. Alongside the double garage a separate door opens to an internal staircase rising to the first floor. Here was a designated office with Velux windows, and a further room connecting to the large hayloft.

A Dutch barn (40ft x 26ft) sits on the northern side of the stable block.

The detached eighteenth century stone cottage has self-contained accommodation of nearly 1000 sq ft it and its own private garden. It is detached and fully independent to the main house. With renovation it would be suitable as ancillary accommodation to the main house or for letting.

Environs - Huttons Ambo is a quiet village nestled at the foot of the Howardian Hills and on the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds, easily accessed via the A64 which provides excellent road links east and west and is served by a regular Coastliner bus service. There is a village store and glorious local walks at Hutton Bank Wood and along the river Derwent, with a cast-iron suspension bridge providing a footpath to the Wolds. The market town of Malton has a national reputation as Yorkshire’s Food Capital with its independent shops, cafés and restaurants, artisan food producers and brewers, food market and biannual Food Lovers Festival. Local amenities include a community hospital, doctors’ surgery, tennis courts, swimming pool, gyms, cinema and good schooling. Independent schooling at York lies within easy reach along the A64. Malton Railway Station connects to the coast, and the mainline station York with services to Leeds, London, Liverpool and Manchester Airport. Castle Howard with its Farm Shop and Garden Centre is five miles away.

General - Tenure: Freehold
EPC rating: House F, Cottage G
Services & Systems: Mains electricity, water, private drainage. Oil central heating. 16 pvc solar panels on the stables
Fixtures & Fittings: Only those mentioned in these sales particulars are included in the sale. All others, such as fitted carpets, curtains, light fittings, garden ornaments etc., are specifically excluded but may be made available by separate negotiation.
Viewing: Strictly by appointment
Local authority: Ryedale District Council AONB



Marketed by: Blenkin & Co