Rudby Hall for sale - a country house fit for a king’s daughter

Sandra Johnson doesn’t have to think twice when asked what she will miss most when historic Rudby Hall passes to a new owner - it is now for sale for £2.5m via Liz Dennison Property.www.lizdproperty.co.uk“The amazing views of the North York Moors and the authenticity, charm and character of the house,” she says.Sandra and her husband, Martin, moved to the magnificent country house in 2002 after she spotted it from the top deck of a double-decker bus and discovered it was for sale. Set behind high walls and hedges, Rudby Hall, near Stokesley, is hidden from those at ground level.

“I took the bus to market one day and saw this beautiful house and I was intrigued,” says Sandra.Its history added to the appeal. The house was commissioned in the 1830s by the last Hanoverian king, William IV, for his illegitimate daughter Lady Amelia Cary. At the time of the king’s death in 1837, he had no legitimate offspring but he was survived by eight of the ten children he had with actress Dorothea Jordan and with whom he cohabited for 20 years.Most of the Georgian hall had already been beautifully restored by previous owners when the Johnsons bought the Grade II star listed building but the top floor remained untouched.

They have restored it and converted it into a series of bedroom suites, bringing the total to 13 bedrooms. They also installed a Biomass boiler and property operated as a luxury venue for weddings and events before reverting to a family home.

“We have loved living here and our children grew up here. It is a very special place but it is time to let it go and start another chapter of our lives,” says Sandra.Rudby Hall is just outside the village of Hutton Rudby and sits in 10 acres overlooking the North York Moors National Park. There is also a separate three-bedroom house included in the sale and additional properties are available by separate negotiation.

The house retains many period features and has a reception hall, a dining room, drawing room and a sitting room accessed by a “secret” door. The inner hall leads to a study, cloakroom, butlers pantry and a kitchen/breakfast room with an oil-fired AGA. The ground floor also has a utility room, laundry room and cloakroom.A cantilevered staircase leads to the upper floors, which have 13 bedroom suites, including one in the tower. The master suite has a balcony with exceptional views across the river, valley and moors.

*Contact: Liz Dennison Property, tel: 01609 748114, www.lizdproperty.co.uk