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High Hall, Appletreewick - an outstanding Grade II* period home, enjoying a beautiful setting in the heart of Wharfedale, providing characterful and well appointed family living of generous proportions.
Overlooking delightful landscaped gardens with an extensive range of outbuildings and garaging. The whole extending to around 0.76 of an acre (0.39 Ha), with additional grazing land of 3.6 acres (1.45 Ha), available by separate negotiation.
“Nowhere in all the Dale, perhaps, will you understand so completely as here at High Hall the meaning of England her strength.’ The Striding Dales by Halliwell Sutcliffe
General Remarks
The sale of High Hall offers a wonderful opportunity to acquire a stunning home in a beautiful and accessible area of Wharfedale, within the Yorkshire Dales National Park
Steeped in history, High Hall stands in the heart of Appletreewick, itself an unspoilt and highly desirable community. The property has been in the same family ownership for the last twenty five years – a period when considerable sympathetic improvements have been made, successfully combining the demands of modern-day family life with the deep intrinsic character of this fine grade II * listed home.
Planned over four floors in all the property offers very practical living, with three well-proportioned reception rooms to the ground floor, complemented by a lovely breakfast kitchen fitted with comprehensive units by Smallbone, along with a four oven Aga and further appliances by Miele and Sub Zero.
The principal bedroom suite is to be found on the first floor and provides a pair of bedrooms as well as an ensuite bathroom and dressing room. The provision of the second bedroom within the suite offers scope to create additional dressing facilities or a more private study or office area. Also at this level is a charming minstrels’ gallery which overlooks the splendid ‘Great Hall’ with its magnificent mullioned windows.
There are a further five double bedrooms, four of which are ensuite, across the third and fourth floors. The former is also the setting for a further reception room – The Earl of Craven’s Withdrawing Room – a truly impressive reception/family space enjoying dual aspects across open countryside.
High Hall stands amidst mature gardens, landscaped to provide privacy and interest. Sweeping lawns contrast with mature hedging and trees, whilst pathways meander past a charming carp pond and folly. The are a couple of useful stores and a kitchen garden to the western gable.
The property is approached through a splendid gateway leading to a parking court, off which is a double garage and a small single with adjacent storage. A studio/playroom is positioned to the rear of the larger garage.
Historical Note
Sir William Craven was born in the mid 16th C, reputedly in a small cottage opposite High Hall which subsequently became part of the village’s St John the Baptist Church. His life lead him to London where he prospered as a business man, becoming Lord Mayor of The City in 1610. Over the years he bequeathed significant sums to numerous causes, primarily educational and ecclesiastical, throughout England.
William’s son, also William, lived from 1608 to 1697 and led a colourful life, both at the Royal Court and in Europe. He supported The Royalist cause during the English civil war; lost much of his lands and wealth, only to receive significant reward following the restoration. The County of Craven in North Carolina is named after William, who secured the titles Baron Craven of Hamstead Marshall in 1627 and subsequently Earl of Craven in 1664.
Location
The village of Appletreewick is one of the ‘jewels in the crown’ of the Yorkshire Dales, the community occupying a beautiful and accessible location in the heart of unspoilt countryside, overlooking the upper reaches of Wharfedale. A collection of cottages, family homes and farmsteads, the village has a couple of popular pubs and forms an ideal base from which to enjoy rugged hill walking, road and mountain biking.
The adjacent village of Burnsall has additional amenities including a parish church, chapel and primary school – the latter Grade II listed, is in the original 1602 grammar school building, itself a legacy of William Craven of Appletreewick’s High Hall
Nearby Grassington and its immediate neighbour Threshfiled, form a thriving and picturesque community providing a surprisingly broad range of everyday amenities including local shops, pubs/restaurants, a medical centre and sports clubs. Appletreewick falls within the catchment areas of the highly regarded selective schools Ermysted’s Grammar School and Skipton Girls High School, although a number of private schools are located within comfortable daily driving distance including Ashville in Harrogate, The Grammar School at Leeds and Giggleswick to the north west.
Skipton is around 8 miles to the south, with Ilkley 11 miles distant and Harrogate around 21 miles (approximately half an hour), to the east. Both local towns offer frequent rail services into the nearby cities of Leeds and Bradford, with regular onward daily connections from the former to London Kings Cross, with some trains from Leeds reaching the capital in around just two hours. Leeds Bradford International Airport is some 21 miles distant, whilst the M65 motorway leading into the East Lancashire conurbation can be joined at nearby Colne (20 miles).
Agent's notes:
Tenure
Both the principal lot and grazing land are freehold, held on separate titles.
Local Authority & Coucil Tax Band
High Hall is presently used to provide holiday accommodation and as such is subject to business rates. The current ratable value is £5800, and the multiplier (for 2023/24), 49.9 pence in the £. However the property benefits from small business rates relief for the full charge. When taxed under Council Tax rules the property was assessed to fall within band H. Interested parties should make their own enquiries with the Valuation Office Agency or Local Authority.
Services
Mains electricity, water and drainage are installed. Heating is from an oil-fired boiler.
Parking
Driveway parking and garaging.
Internet and Mobile Coverage
Information obtained from the Ofcom website indicates that an internet connection is available from at least one provider. Mobile coverage (outdoors), is also available from at least one of the UKs four leading providers. For further information please refer to:

From the roundabout on the A59 at Bolton Abbey take the B6160 towards Burnsall and Grassington, passing the Devonshire Arms Hotel. After around 3.7 miles, turn right at Barden, following the road for C. 4 miles to a T junction. Turn left towards Appletreewick. High Hall will be clearly visible on entering the village to the left-hand side.