Inside Crakehall Hall: The impressive Grade II Georgian country house near Bedale on the market for £3m
The great architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner praised Crakehall Hall for its refined proportions and assured composition, remarking that the Grade II listed Georgian country house looked “competent and sensible”.
Historically forming part of the Crakehall manorial estate, which is near Bedale in Wensleydale, and largely built circa 1723, the Hall has long been associated with prominent North Yorkshire landowning families. In the early 19th century the Duke of Leeds enjoyed the hall as an occasional ducal country retreat, being adjacent to his main house Hornby Castle nearby.
Latterly, it was the childhood home of Jean Burdon, founder of the charity Riding for The Disabled, who was born at Crakehall in 1924, the eldest of three daughters of Major Douglas Stirling-Stuart, a cavalry officer, racehorse-owner and foxhunter, and his wife Ruby.
The grand reception hall, with a sweeping staircase illuminated by Venetian windows, opens into a magnificent drawing room with an open fireplace and views over the village green, while the formal dining room provides a distinguished setting for entertaining.
Yet for all its grand proportions and many bedrooms – up to nine in the main house, including an elegant principal suite with two dressing rooms and en suite bathroom – it’s very much a comfortable family home, says owner Russell Jarvis.
“We do enjoy entertaining and over the years we’ve held lots of events, but when it’s just us we seem to spend most of our time in the kitchen and library,” he says. “And everybody ends up in the kitchen at parties.”
Russell, 63, and his wife, Sandra Humphrey, are both lawyers who have two children in their twenties living in London. Since purchasing Crakehall Hall a quarter of a century ago, they have undertaken an extensive programme of restoration, including redesigning the kitchen to be a comfortable, welcoming space with an AGA, breakfast island, vaulted ceiling and French doors flowing out to the gardens.
Working and living near St Paul’s in central London during the week Russell and Sandra generally spend weekends and holidays at Crakehall, which is on the market for £3m with Knight Frank. “We’re very fond of Yorkshire,” Russell says. “It’s become our home. We’re keen cricket fans, we often go and watch Yorkshire.”
Russell is also vice president of the York Georgian Society. “I’m a big fan of Georgian architecture, it’s the proportions, the elegance,” says Russell,
He’s also very respectful of the need to ensure renovations and upgrades are entirely in keeping with the period. The Hall demanded serious improvements to its structure when the couple bought it. “It was in a poor state. We had to address the critical issues in the house, roof, chimneys, drains, gutters, central heating,” Russell explains. “Because it’s Grade II listed you have to be appropriately respectful. When we extended the kitchen we went out and bought a load of old Georgian bricks, roof tiles that matched and proper stone flags from Halifax.”
Original Georgian craftsmanship is showcased throughout the house, with high ceilings, sash windows with working shutters, refined fireplaces, exquisite joinery and a sweeping staircase illuminated by Venetian windows. Five oil-fired boilers provide hot water and heating, which can be zoned for specific rooms.
As well as the 11,991 sq ft main house, there are two separate cottages, The Garden House (three bedrooms) and The Crickerage (one bedroom), providing flexible ancillary accommodation.
There is also the original stable block, extending to more than 2,300 sq ft and providing substantial garaging, storage and workshop space. Separately there is the old original carriage house and the old laundry block.
Standing in 2.75 acres, the grounds are a particular joy, with Russell admitting he’s very hands-on and gets up at 6am for watering duties. There is a formal walled garden, thoughtfully arranged as a series of outdoor rooms that provide structure, privacy and year-round interest. A bluebell meadow in spring, a productive vegetable garden and a generous south-facing sun terrace for entertaining add to the outdoor attractions.
Crakehall Hall is a perfect retreat, but it’s also well-connected. Just four miles from Junction 51 on the A1 (M), it’s also convenient for York, Durham, Leeds, and Newcastle. Trains to London King’s Cross from Northallerton, 11 miles away.
“When this house came on the market, I thought how amazing, what an astonishing house to look at. It stands well too, in a village that still has a pub, a shop, a school, a church,” says Russell, who has been a church warden and is involved in the local cricket team. “We fell in love with the house and we haven’t regretted our time here at all.”