Grand Helmsley home a paradise for country pursuits

Beckdale House, HelmsleyPrice: £3m
Beckdale House, Helmsley, has exquisite interiorsBeckdale House, Helmsley, has exquisite interiors
Beckdale House, Helmsley, has exquisite interiors

Estate agent Philip Procter, Yorkshire’s Regional Director of Humberts, describes Beckdale House as “a most wonderful, manageable country estate” and adds that its sale represents a rare opportunity to acquire a “true sportman’s paradise”.

Some of the best pheasant shoots in the country are close by and the area is home to a number of well regarded grouse moors. It is also within easy striking distance of some Yorkshire’s most attractive racecourses, including Thirsk, Ripon, Beverley, Wetherby and York.

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This access has been a bonus for Dr John Hollowood and his wife Claire, who are well known in racing circles. The couple previously owned Breckenbrough House racing yard and the renowned Highfield Stud, near Malton. Their greatest achievement came in the 2002 Derby when their horse, Jelani, finished fourth to High Chaparral. The Hollowood’s bought Beckdale House in 1986 after making a private approach to the sixth Lord Feversham, who owned and lived in the property.

The house has stunning viewsThe house has stunning views
The house has stunning views

“My wife read that he was planning to move to the Duncombe Park mansion and put two and two together. We approached him with an offer and he agreed to it,” says Dr Hollowood, who commissioned a comprehensive renovation of the property. The project also included reconfguring the bedrooms and adding en-suite bathrooms. Outside, a new garage block was created and a swimming pool installed.

The impressive property, which was built in the 1920s as the dower house for Duncombe Park estate, now extends to 7,739 sq. ft. It has a galleried reception hall, drawing room, billiard room, dining room, sitting room, conservatory, dining kitchen and domestic offices. Upstairs is a master bedroom with two ensuite bathrooms and a dressing room, plus passenger lift access. There are four further bedrooms, three with ensuite bathrooms, along with a house bathroom and extensive attic rooms. Adjacent to the house is a substantial garage complex with garaging, a gym, two self-contained two bedroom flats and an office. There are landscaped gardens and grounds with a swimming pool, extensive lawns, a formal garden with summer house, kitchen garden and an all-weather tennis court.

The property also has a stable courtyard with looseboxes, tack room, feed store, machinery store and a five-bay cart shed. Close by is a two bedroom groom’s cottage.

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Dr and Mrs Hollowood are selling to downsize. he says: “We will be sad to leave. It is a lovely place to live but we can no longer swim, play tennis or get around the estate like we used to.”

Contact Humberts, tel: 01904 611828, www.humberts.com

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