3 bedroom character property for sale

Tenure: Freehold

The Property

Nestled into the hillside, just above the pretty village of Kilburn, some six miles from the thriving market town of Thirsk, Acre House Farm represents a rare opportunity to purchase a small mixed use estate, probably one of the
most photographed in the country, occupying a unique location with further potential and varied money making opportunities including the continuation of water abstraction for commercial purposes.

The farmhouse, which is constructed of stone, is full or character and notable features include the beamed drawing room and dining room, small library, snug, famous ‘Mouse Man’ fireplace surround, vaulted kitchen with AGA and three double bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms.

The house offers scope for further extension and the obvious solution would be to extend off the rear of the property and connect into the stone built barn to the rear, although there are a number of areas where space could be added if so required.

The Location

Located in the foothills of the North York Moors National Park, overlooking the Vale of York, Kilburn is a small but popular village, made famous by White Horse, the landmark seen on the southern edge of the North York Moors from most of the Vale of York. The horse was carved out of the hillside behind Acre House Farm in 1857, under the direction of the local schoolmaster, John Hodgson, a distant relative of the current owner.

Kilburn is also well known for the internationally renowned furniture maker Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson (1876-1955), whose trademark is a mouse carved into his work. Even more recently, the village of Kilburn and surrounding area has been made more famous by the veterinary surgeon and author, James Herriot, in whose practice Acre House Farm was included, made frequent visits as part of his rounds when it was a fully fledged
dairy farm. In fact the farm was so well known to him that a photograph of the farm is included in his book, ‘James Herriot’s Yorkshire’.

Today Kilburn has a thriving community and highly regarded public house, The Foresters Arms. The attractive market town of Thirsk, arranged around a large central square, enjoys a full range of facilities including numerous shops and leisure facilities, whilst popular Easingwold is also close by. Comprehensive services, shopping and cultural/leisure facilities are located in York which is about 22 miles away via the A19.

Private schools in the area include Ampleforth College near Helmsley, Terrington Preparatory near Malton, and St Peters and Bootham in York. There are also well regarded junior and senior state schools close by. York is home to leading York College as well as York St John’s University and The University of York.

The Barn/Office Complex

The vendors have been running a highly successful water abstraction business from the property for the past fourteen years (www.chilburnespring.co.uk) and this has required office space as well as machinery and storage space. There have been a number of new buildings constructed as well as the conversion of the period buildings
to accommodate the needs of the business.

The buildings offer a variety of different uses, subject to the usual planning regulations. Possible alternative uses might include their conversion into holiday cottages, ancillary residential accommodation or equestrian facilities; certainly there are a number of options.

A licence for the abstraction of 3.5 million gallons (15,911,300 litres) currently exists serving two captured springs on the property.

Land

The land is predominantly in a ring fence and is a mix of traditional hay meadows, with steeper grazing in permanent pasture, and amenity woodland. There is also fencing and a field shelter for the keeping of deer on the land to the west. The land is crossed by footpaths marked in red on the plan attached.’

Single Payment

The total area plotted on the Rural Land Register maps is 25.58ha. The vendor has claimed Single Payment on 25.52ha in 2011, and this area of entitlements will be included in the sale, for the purchaser to claim Single Payment in the future. The payment received for 2010 was £4,385.

Stewardship Scheme

The farm is in an Entry Level Stewardship Scheme with another four years to run. The purchaser will need to apply to Natural England to take over this agreement. The payment received in 2011 was £768.50. The woodland was established under a Woodland Grant Scheme which has now expired.

Communications

The property is located in an easily accessible location some six miles from Thirsk and the A19 for York and only 13 miles from Junction 49 of the A1(M.) Both Thirsk and York are on the East Coast mainline and there are frequent high speed rail services to London Kings Cross in a little under two hours from York, north to Scotland and cross country services to the Midlands and south west as well as regional and Trans Pennine commuter services. Airports are located at Leeds Bradford, Humberside and Durham Tees Valley offering a range of European and international destinations.

Directions

From York, head north on the A19 in the direction of Thirsk. Turn off the A19 16 miles north of York towards Husthwaite, pass through the village following signs to Coxwold. In Coxwold, turn left at the cross roads and proceed up and out of the village along Thirsk Bank. At the crest of the hill turn right signposted to Kilburn, follow the main road, in the village pass the pub on your right and stay on the main road, leave the village and the driveway to Acre House Farm will be found on the left hand side denoted by the bollards and cattle grid.

Property Information

Address: Acre House Farm, Carr Lane, Kilburn, York, North Yorkshire YO61 4AL

Services: Private water and drainage. Oil fired Aga and electric heating.

Local Authority: Hambleton District Council Tel: 0845 1211 555

Council Tax Band: E

Council Tax Rate for 2011/2012 £1,775.26

Tenure: Freehold with vacant possession upon completion.

Method of Sale: The property is for sale by private treaty. We reserve the right to conclude the sale by any other means at our discretion.

Covenants, Easements and Rights of Way: The property is sold subject to all covenants and rights of way, whether specifically mentioned in these sales particulars or not.

Fixtures and Fittings: All items normally accepted as fixtures and fittings are excluded from the sale
unless they are identified as being included in these particulars.

Viewing: Strictly by appointment through the joint agents.