Chance to buy a gorgeous Georgian home that can also run as a B&B in one of Yorkshire’s best loved market towns

“We were looking for a property that we could do work to and we also wanted something with space to offer bed and breakfast for guests,” says Natalie. Bank Villa ticked all the boxes and their move to Masham has been life-enhancing.

“It’s a wonderful, self-supporting place to live both in terms of its great community and its facilities. There’s a great pre-school and a primary school, shops and lots of community events, plus, of course, a tourist industry,” says Natalie.

The house, now on the market for £875,000 with Buchanan Mitchell estate agents, was in need of updating but had already run as a B&B since 1976 so had a track record as a place to stay. Natalie, who is adept at interior design, worked on plans to renovate and redecorate the property and the result is stunning.

She says: “It works really well as a family home but the layout also means it is perfect for B&B. There are two sides to the house and a clear divide between the living quarters and kitchen and the guest areas.”

She adds: “We are now using the house purely as a family home but I really enjoyed doing the B&B. Lots of people came back several times because they enjoyed being here and we were never short of guests because Masham is so popular.”

The new owners will have the benefit of the upgrading, including a recently installed kitchen. There is also the possibility to buy some of the furniture and antiques and there is planning permission to convert the attic space into two rooms.

The reason for moving is to downsize to a house with a smaller garden but the Nicholson’s will be staying in Masham.“I can’t think of anywhere better to live,” says Natalie.

Bank Villa dates to the mid 18th century with later Victorian additions. The interiors reflect inspiration from Arts and Crafts movement founder William Morris. The property has a reception hall with polished parquet flooring, along with a drawing room, a formal dining room and a second reception room. The latter is used as a children’s playroom/family room.

There is also a ground floor study and a garden room plus a breakfast kitchen, utility room, cloakroom and walk-in pantry. The original turned staircase leads to a spacious landing and the primary bedroom accommodation. The principal bedroom has an adjacent dressing room and an en-suite bathroom. There is also a guest bedroom with ensuite shower room.

The second floor of Bank Villa has three double bedrooms, each with their own en-suite facilities while outside there is a private gated drive leading to a double garage, a workshop and large gardens plus a greenhouse.

Masham is on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and has a vibrant community, shops, cafes, restaurants, and traditional. There are also art galleries, craft workshops, and a thriving local market.