Elm Tree Manor, West Lane, Askwith, Ilkley, LS21

There are houses that impress, and there are homes that offer something altogether rarer. Set privately within its own magnificent 17-acre estate in the beautiful rural village of Askwith, Elm Tree Manor is an exceptional country residence where considered contemporary design, craftsmanship and an extraordinary sense of privacy come together to create a truly special place to live.
Meticulously renovated and reimagined, the Manor combines the reassuring character and permanence of a traditional Yorkshire home with an interior conceived entirely around modern life. The result is sophisticated without being ostentatious; beautifully detailed yet wonderfully liveable, and equally suited to quiet family life, weekends filled with friends or memorable large-scale entertaining.
For Hardisty Prestige, it is the setting that elevates Elm Tree Manor into particularly rare territory. Arriving through its private gated entrance, there is an immediate feeling of leaving the outside world behind. The house, leisure accommodation, swimming pool and extensive private grounds form an estate in their own right, completely separate from the neighbouring exclusive enclave and approached via its own dedicated access.

Refined contemporary living
Inside, natural light, beautifully proportioned spaces and a sophisticated palette of tactile materials create an understated sense of luxury. The bespoke interiors by Dean Heim place craftsmanship at their heart. Custom joinery and architectural woodwork run throughout the house, while generous open-plan living spaces have been designed to flow naturally from one to another. It is a home that works as well on an ordinary Monday morning as it does when the house is full of guests. At the centre of the home is the spectacular kitchen and dining space. A bespoke handmade oak kitchen is complemented by Taj Mahal quartz worktops, Miele appliances, a Quooker boiling-water tap and integrated refrigeration, including a dedicated wine fridge, while a walk-in pantry provides the practical space demanded of a house of this calibre. For those who enjoy entertaining, one of the home’s most distinctive features is its dedicated wine display room, creating an impressive setting in which to showcase a collection and adding another layer to the entertaining spaces. Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors establish a strong connection with the gardens and terraces beyond, allowing everyday life to move effortlessly outside during the warmer months. Elsewhere, the beautifully proportioned living room is centred around a contemporary LPG fire, set within an elegant stone surround, creating a warm and inviting focal point, while the day room also features an LPG fire for more intimate autumn and winter evenings. Throughout the interior, the detailing remains exceptional: bespoke full-height Deuren doors, coffered ceilings with integrated LED lighting and wallpaper inserts, stone-effect porcelain flooring with oak-effect inlays and a bespoke oak-and-steel staircase all contribute to a home that feels individually designed rather than simply highly specified. Technology has been incorporated discreetly rather than allowed to dominate. Lutron smart lighting, underfloor heating throughout both floors of the main house, air-source heating and MVHR sit alongside solar panels serving both the house and annexe.

A private retreat
Four bedrooms are arranged within the main house, with the principal suite providing the privacy and space expected of a residence of this standing. Beautifully appointed bathrooms incorporate Lapicida tiling, tiled wet trays and bronze fittings, creating calm, hotel-like spaces within the home. Yet perhaps one of Elm Tree Manor’s greatest strengths is the flexibility provided away from the main house. The Mews provides beautifully appointed independent accommodation, incorporating a double garage together with two generous bedrooms, both enjoying their own luxury en-suite bathrooms. This makes it particularly well suited to visiting family, older children or guests, providing genuinely comfortable accommodation with a greater degree of privacy and independence. There is also the opportunity to tailor the leisure element to an individual buyer’s lifestyle, with potential for a private gym, sauna, steam room or home office.

Life around the pool
The outdoor heated swimming pool introduces an entirely different dimension to life at Elm Tree Manor. On warm summer days, the house, terraces, gardens and pool have the potential to become one continuous entertaining space—morning swims, long lunches outside, children and friends around the pool and evenings continuing on the terrace as the sun goes down. It is this combination of beautifully designed interiors and genuine outdoor living that gives the property the atmosphere of a private country retreat rather than simply a large family home. Beyond the immediate gardens lie approximately 17 acres of private grounds, giving Elm Tree Manor a degree of space and seclusion increasingly difficult to find within such easy reach of Ilkley.

Country life, without compromise
Askwith is quintessential Wharfedale countryside, close to the 2,500-acre Denton Reserve, yet Elm Tree Manor is around nine minutes from Ilkley and ten minutes from Otley. Leeds Bradford Airport is approximately 16 minutes away, with Leeds around 38 minutes by car. The Penny Bun is nearby and has just been named AA Inn of the Year 2026, bringing nationally recognised hospitality and dining almost to the doorstep. Part of the Denton Reserve, the inn is particularly celebrated for its locally sourced food and connection to the surrounding Yorkshire landscape. The wider area also offers a particularly strong choice of highly regarded schools.

Potential Across the Estate
To help prospective purchasers fully appreciate the potential offered by Elm Tree Manor’s immediate gardens and wider 17-acre estate, the vendors commissioned an independent diversification and opportunities report from specialist rural property consultants, Rural Solutions. The report explores a range of possible future uses and enhancements, including additional garden and leisure buildings, a pool house, small-scale equestrian facilities, agricultural or smallholding use, strategic landscaping, habitat creation and potential biodiversity opportunities. All proposals would remain subject to the relevant planning, access, legal and technical consents; however, the report provides valuable insight into how the estate could evolve to suit a purchaser’s individual lifestyle or interests. A copy of the full report, including illustrative concepts, is available upon request.

The Hardisty Prestige view
Elm Tree Manor is much more than the sum of its specification. What makes it exceptional is the combination: a beautifully executed contemporary country home, independent guest accommodation, private leisure facilities, an outdoor heated swimming pool and approximately 17 acres—all within minutes of Ilkley. For a family seeking privacy without isolation, space without compromise and a home suited to everyday life and exceptional entertaining, it represents a rare opportunity. This is a home in which the lifestyle is every bit as impressive as the architecture.

Image Disclaimer
Please note that some images used within these marketing particulars have been digitally enhanced, including adjustments to colour, lighting and presentation. Certain images have also been created or virtually staged using CGI to illustrate potential furniture layouts and how the accommodation might be presented. These images are intended for illustrative purposes; however, they have been produced to be highly representative of the actual proportions, specification, character and overall standard of finish at Elm Tree Manor. Prospective purchasers should rely upon their own inspection of the property.