For sale - the home near York with a three acre lake

The inside story on...Lakeside Manor, Foggathorpe, near YorkPrice: £1.25m, www.ashtonsnet.com

Jamie Egerton had become disillusioned with the home he originally planned to buy but as he was driving away he spotted another “for sale” sign.Intrigued to see what was behind the supersize gates, he booked a viewing and got a big surprise. A three acre lake fronted the hidden-away house, giving it wow factor and a beautiful, restful outlook.“I viewed the property several times and the lake was the main selling point. I knew I’d never find anything else like it. I also knew the location was good as I’d done several test drives, which took me 20 minutes to get into the centre of York,” says Jamie, who moved out of the city to enjoy a different lifestyle in Foggathorpe, which is halfway between Selby and York.

The lake stretches over three acres

He and his family bought Lakeside Manor in the summer of 2013 and have carried out work to the lake, house and grounds.The lake, which is 74ft deep in the middle and is home to swans, was formed naturally 100 years ago from an old clay quarry.“It doesn’t require any maintenance but I have stocked it with carp, built an island with a summer house on it and added a fountain to make a focal point,” says Jamie, who adds: “I don’t fish myself but I have friends who do so I have put fishing stations in and I have bought some little rowing boats and inflatable balls that allow you to ‘run’ on the water.”He also added a decked area on the lake shore with an outdoor hot tub and a play area overlooking the water.

The kitchen

The house, which was built in 1999, and its annexe, which is rented, have been completely refurbished but Jamie and his family are now planning to move to Spain, hence their decision to sell their much-loved Yorkshire home.“We have really enjoyed living here and know we won’t find anything like it again but we have a villa on the Costa del Sol and enjoy going there. We want to try living there full-time,” says Jamie.

One of the bedrooms

Lakeside Manor is set in grounds of six acres. The house has a reception hall, family room, sitting room, dining room, study, lounge/bedroom and a kitchen dining room. Upstairs are four bedrooms plus bathrooms.Connected to the main house via the games room is the one-bedroom annexe with loft space. Outside, there is parking for multiple cars, a double garage and a stable block with six loose boxes, one of which has been converted into a gym.*Contact: Ashtons, York, tel: 01904 891153, www.ashtonsnet.com