For sale: vicarage designed by Arts and Crafts architect Walter Brierley

This former vicarage is on the market for only the second time since it was built in 1889

Owners Robin and Liz Hall have lived there for 30 years after buying at auction from the Diocese of York.

It is built in early Arts and Crafts style to designs drawn by architects James Demaine and Walter Brierley. Mr Brierley was known as as the “Yorkshire Lutyens”.

“When we came here we were advised not to call it ‘The Vicarage’, so we chose the name’ The Old Vicarage’ and discovered by chance through the electricity board that there was an existing old vicarage in the village, where the owner had the same surname as us,” says Mrs Hall, who eventually settled on Vicarage House, which turned out to be the right choice.

Three years later, Christie’s were selling the archives of Walter Brierley’s firm, which contained the original drawings of the property. “Low and behold the title on the drawings was “proposed Vicarage House’,” says Mrs Hall.

The interior of the property retains most of its original features, including working shutters and a galleried landing. Mr and Mrs Hall have sensitively updated the house with a new roof, bathrooms, heating system and solar PV panels. They have also added an orangery. The property, set in an acre of land, now has an entrance vestibule, cloakroom, staircase hall, snug/study, drawing room, dining room, orangery, a large kitchen with Aga, a utility, boot room, WC and cellars. Upstairs, there is a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, a guest bedroom with en -suite shower room, four further bedrooms, a house bathroom and a shower room. Outside, there is ample garaging, which is suitable for conversion, subject to planning consent, a car port and store facilities. The gravelled drive has turning and parking space.

The garden has been restored and Mr and Mrs Hall have opened it under the National Garden Scheme in aid of charity. It has views over the countryside and is a haven for many birds, such as little owls, woodpeckers, flycatchers and nuthatches.

The Halls are now selling to downsize. “We have loved living here with our two sons who have now grown up and have their own homes and families,” says Mrs Hall. “But we are downsizing and hope we can attract a growing family who will enjoy the house and garden as well as the countryside and local amenities.”

*For more information contact Carter Jonas, Leeds, tel: 0113 203 1090, www.carterjonas.co.uk

*Kirkby Wharfe is a pretty village 3.5 miles from Tadcaster. It is convenient for the A64 and is in the catchment area for Tadcaster Grammar School. There is a train station in nearby Ulleskelf.