One of Knaresborough’s most iconic homes is on the market and it comes with the benefit of a magnificent makeover

The house and its sensational setting had them at “hello” and for the past 14 years they have loved living there. Since getting the key to the door, the couple have wrought an incredible transformation, creating sensational interiors and new additions to the house, which is now on the market.

Set over three floors, the five bedroom property has a series of balconies and terraces overlooking the River Nidd and its famous, castellated viaduct. The main entrance to the house is now via a glazed archway on the lower ground floor, which leads to the boot room.

Stairs take you up to the upper ground floor where there is a kitchen, dining room and a guest bedroom with ensuite.

On the first floor, there is a sitting room featuring a wall of exposed cliff, which is one of the most remarked upon features, and there are long-range views from the French doors that open onto a balcony. There are also two ensuite bedrooms on this level.

The second floor houses the luxurious principal bedroom suite and has two balconies with exceptional views, an office/sitting room and a bathroom with double doors opening onto a balcony.

Outside is a sheltered, south-facing terraced garden that makes the most of the views and of the sun, which has enabled five banana trees to thrive and deliver fruit.

There’s also parking for five cars and Terence and Tom have built above the double garage to create a gym with bi-folding doors. This space has a bathroom and built-in cupboards and there is plumbing for a kitchenette meaning it can also function as a self-contained annexe.

The decor is an eclectic mix that works wonderfully because the couple have impeccable taste. Tom says: “My mum and grandma were antique dealers so I love old items as they add character but we mix them with new buys.”

In the sitting room, the main feature is the view over the viaduct from the glazed, folding doors. However, the Minotti sofas covered in a fabulous floral fabric are a close second.

They were high on Terence and Tom’s wish list, though they managed to reduce the retail price, which sailed past £20,000, by finding preloved originals in beige and hiring Harrogate based upholsterer Justin Barrett to recover them, which was a win-win as they have the quality and style that the high end sofas bring but with a far more exciting fabric.

The sleek kitchen cabinetry is by Knaresborough Kitchens and there is underfloor heating, while the dining room has an egg-shaped crystal pendant light from an antique shop and a rustic table from Barker & Stonehouse enlivened by a set of colourful, upholstered chairs by Timothy Oulton.

The leather sofa in Terence’s study is also by Timothy Oulton and when the pressure of work gets too much, it offers a place to sit while allowing the view of the river and the viaduct to soak up the stress.

The main bedroom on the top floor of the property is also a sanctuary and features a pewter bed frame from And So to Bed, bought because it brought back happy childhood memories of the Disney film Bedknobs and Broomsticks.

The tailor’s wardrobes are from Castleforge Antiques and the couple’s bathroom was inspired by a trip to Seaham Hall hotel.

“Our room there had this great shower over a free-standing bath combo that we loved and fortunately we managed to find one for the house,” says Terence.

Tom adds: “Getting it up four flights of stairs to the top floor was really hard work and it took brute force and a few choice words and it was the same for the sofa and the bed but they were all well worth the effort.”

Selling the home they love and have made perfect has been a difficult decision. It is on the market for £1.25m and Terence says: “We have loved living here. We’ve often had 16 for Christmas dinner and every year we hold a party for Knaresborough’s annual bed race and my nieces and nephews hose down the runners as they come by.

“But we are ready for a new chapter. This is a family-size home and it needs a family and so we are right-sizing, plus we are ready for a different, more rural way of living.”

Tom adds: “This is a ‘pinch me’ house and we feel really lucky and humbled that we have had the chance to live here and restore it.”

11 Waterside is on the market for £1.25m with Savills, tel: 01904 617800, www.savills.co.uk

Edward Stoyle of Savills York says: “This is one of Knaresborough's most iconic houses; finished to an exceptional standard with views to die for.”

The property is a three minute walk to Knaresborough railway station with trains to Leeds and York and connections to London in both cities.

Harrogate is five miles away and the A1M is a short drive from the A1M with Leeds and York just over half an hour