For sale for the first time: fabulous former vicarage close to Malton

When Edward Legard’s great aunt asked him if he wanted to buy her “beloved Appleton” he didn’t have to think twice.

The former vicarage, now on the open market for the first time ever, is in an idyllic, hidden-away spot in a pretty village close to Malton.

“My great aunt had lived there since the 1960s and she adored the house. I hadn’t seen it before she offered to sell it to me off-market but when I went to view I only got half way up the drive when I decided I had to have it,” says Edward.

“It’s set back from the road and is so private that not many people realise that it’s there. The house has lovely proportions but the gardens and grounds held the greatest appeal for me.”

Another selling point was the location, which is between the Howardian Hills and the North York moors but just three miles from the railway station at Malton and its services to York and Leeds.

Since buying the 19th century house in 2003, the Legard family have renovated and updated it, while adding a carport and a tennis court.

They also doubled the size of the kitchen and incorporated an adjoining cottage into the main house to create an integrated annexe.

“You name it and we have done it, while retaining the original features and the essence of the house,” says Edward, who is selling to move to another family property.

“My mother is downsizing and has left her house to me so we are moving there. We will miss Appleton very much. It’s the most wonderful place and we and our children have loved living here.”

Appleton House has over 6,000 sq ft of space with a reception hall, drawing room, dining room, study, dining kitchen, boot room, snug, laundry and cloakroom, along with a games room and kitchenette. On the first floor, there is a large master suite plus five bedrooms and three bathrooms. The second floor has two bedrooms and a bathroom.

Edward Hartshorne of Blenkin and Co,. says: “The eastern wing could easily form self-contained accommodation.”

Outside, there are two barns that could make a further annexe/office, subject to the necessary consents.

The property, set in 3.7 acres of land, also has stables, a shed and garaging. The gardens and grounds include a flagged terraced adjoining the house, a paddock and a kitchen garden.

*For further details contact Blenkin and Co., York, tel. 01904 671672 or visit www.blenkinandco.com

*Appleton-le-Street is three miles from Malton and five miles from Hovingham and is on the edge of the Howardian Hills. The village has a church and a pub.