New Walk, Beverley, Yorkshire

Rooted in the town's architectural landscape, this handsome five-bedroom Victorian townhouse is set in the leafy centre of Beverley, East Yorkshire. It extends across over 3,200 sq ft across four bright, well-proportioned storeys. The interiors have been masterfully enhanced under current ownership: period joinery, ornate cornices, skirting and architraves remain alongside a dramatic palette of rich, dark colours. A long garden unfurls at the rear of the house, with a brilliant studio space set at its foot. The town centre is a short walk away and has a train station, as well as a wealth of independent shops and places to dine.



Setting the Scene



Visible from the house’s uppermost floors, Beverley Minster is one of the largest parish churches in England and widely regarded as a masterpiece of gothic architecture. While traces remain today of earlier iterations of the building on the site, the current structure was built between the 13th and 16th centuries, after the town and minster were severely damaged by a fire in 1188. Fine examples of the late gothic perpendicular style, the two distinctive towers rising across the westerly façade were the inspiration for the present west towers of Westminster Abbey.



Built around 1870, the house stands on a quiet, tree-lined avenue, flanked by grand townhouses from various eras. Its red-brick façade is distinguished by elaborate stone dressings, an ornate dentil cornice and expansive bay windows. Sash windows punctuate the three storeys, crowned by an attic with a dormer window.



The Grand Tour



The house is set back from the street behind a well-maintained front garden, where established bushy plantings lend a welcoming first impression. A walkway and a short flight of steps lead up to the four-panelled black front door, framed by ornate columns and elaborate stonework.



Entry is to an elegant hallway, where vitrified mosaic tiles run underfoot and walls are painted a rich blush hue - a fittingly vibrant introduction to the home. High ceilings begin here and continue throughout.



The sitting room is at the front, finished in a refined, monochrome colour scheme with matching walls, ceilings and timber floorboards painted a bold black. A contemplative and intimate feel pervades the space, providing the ideal setting to unwind in the evening. A large bay window draws in light, and an elaborate ceiling rose rests above the room. There is a wood-burning stove with a marble surround and a slate hearth on one side - a commanding, dramatic focal point.



Set within a substantial extension where walls are washed in dark Abigail Ahearn colours, the bright kitchen and dining room lie at the rear. Light oak floorboards underfoot create a subtle interplay between light and dark. Four large skylights, generous sash windows, and glazed external doors enhance the feel of openness. A bank of bespoke shaker-style units unfolds in a L-shape configuration around a large central island, with speckled marble worktops and a white-tiled splashback behind a Belfast sink. There is room to accommodate a large table at the rear - an atmospheric setting for seasonal dinners. This room flows into an adjacent reception room with plenty of built-in storage.



In the entrance hall, a grand original staircase has an impressive newel post topped with an ornate carving of a dog. A rattled handrail winds upwards, atop decorative balusters and painted treads and risers. A practical laundry space lies off a half-landing.



The first floor is entirely occupied by the spectacular principal bedroom, which is anchored by a large fireplace with marble surrounds. Moody dark blue has been used on the walls and ceilings, creating a space that is both restful and sophisticated. There is also room to accommodate a desk, while a large bay window frames tranquil views of the tree-lined street.



A large doorway connects to the generous dressing area and the en suite, well-appointed with dark mirrored tiles by Fired Earth, a double vanity by Devol and Bert and May brass fittings. At the far end is a large walk-in shower, lined in marble and complete with a sleek Matki glass screen. Grey tiles extend underfoot, while a large sash window frames leafy views of the garden.



The striking variety and beauty of the surrounding landscapes comes clearly into focus as the staircase rises to the upper floors, with far-reaching views encompassing the town’s architecture and the minster.



There are two spacious bedrooms on the second floor. Entirely finished in a striking green shade, the room at the front of the plan has access to a dressing room and connected shower room, both awash in uplifting pink tones. Quiet and private, the bedroom at the rear overlooks the garden and beyond to the area's magnificent mature trees.



Two further bedrooms, one currently used as an office/studio, offer restful retreats on the top floor, set beneath the eaves, with walls and timber floors painted in dark tones. The shared bathroom is well-appointed with a neutral palette and complete with a bathtub.



Several storage cupboards are found across all floors, complemented by an exterior storeroom accessible at the front, and a spacious basement cellar.



The Great Outdoors



To the rear, a south-west facing garden unfolds, enclosed by the original Victorian brick wall to the right hand side, mature hedging and timber screens that create a wonderfully private and tranquil retreat. From the kitchen, a flight of stone steps leads down to the terrace, thoughtfully arranged for outdoor dining and cooking.



A neatly kept lawn sweeps toward the back of the garden, offering an ideal spot for lounging and soaking up the sun during the summer months. At the far end sits an insulated, versatile garden room/studio, replete with electrical suppler and fitted with a log burner and currently serving as an artist’s workshop. Painted in deep black tones to complement the rear elevation of the house, it feels both practical and in keeping with its surroundings.



Out and About



Beverley brims with historic landmarks and is surrounded by undulating open countryside. The house is within easy reach of a wide range of restaurants, cafés and independent shops. Local favourites include The Westwood on New Walk, L'Opaline Bistrot, - Masterchef winner Eddie Scott's new French Bistro - the award-winning Gemini chocolate and coffee shop, Vanessa, again for fabulous coffees, and The Organic cafe and shop. The Michelin starred, The Pipe and Glass in nearby South Dalton is a further delicious spot for lunch or dinner.



The town is also home to the East Riding Theatre and Parkway cinema at Flemingate and hosts an annual Early Music and Folk festival as well as Beverley Open Studios in October.



At the back of the house, beyond the trees, Beverley Westwood Parkland skirts the west of the town. Its ancient 600 acre pastureland is a wonderful asset for dog walks, jogs and cycles and is home to Beverley racecourse. The town is also the gateway to the Yorkshire Wolds, Hockney country and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A 25-minute drive away is the expansive Fraisthorpe beach, with the excellent Cowshed cafe and beyond are the seaside towns of Bridlington and Filey.



Hull, the fourth-largest city in Yorkshire, is a short 20-minute drive. Humber Street in particular has a thriving arts scene, including a great regional theatre, Hull Truck, and an array of excellent restaurants, cafés and boutiques. Hearth restaurant and bakery serves up inventive, seasonal menus from breakfast through dinner, while Ruthvika is a local favourite for refined Indian cuisine. For something sweet, Milchig Bakehouse is renowned for baking some of the best cookies in the city. Cultural highlights include the Ferens Art Gallery, home to a diverse collection of visual art, and East Park, Hull’s largest green space, spanning 130 acres of parkland.





The historic city of York is less than an hour away by car. Highlights include its historic medieval wall, the magnificent York Minster, and a mix of second-hand bookstores, antique shops, and independent cafés. Leeds and Harrogate are both around an hour away, while the coast at Hornsea is less than 30 minutes' drive away.



There are some brilliant state, private and grammar schools nearby, including Molescroft Primary School, Swinemoor Primary School, and Keldmarsh Primary School. Hymers College in Hull and and Polkinton School are particularly well regarded, while Beverley High School, Beverley Grammar School, Longcroft School and Sixth Form Cottage, and Bishop Burton College are also terrific options



Trains from Beverley station reach London via Doncaster in around three hours and 20 minutes. There is easy access by car to the motorway system via the M62 and M1.



Council Tax Band: F