High Hall, Appletreewick

Yorkshire Dales. Sleeps up to 14

A remarkable Grade II* listed country house, built around 1535, and extended later in the 16th Century by Sir William Craven, whose career is widely regarded as one of the inspirations for the story of Dick Whittington.It is set in one acre of fabulous grounds on the edge of the delightful village of Appletreewick, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. In 1548, William Craven was born to a pauper’s family in Appletreewick, in a cottage subsequently modified to be part of St John's Chapel, directly opposite the recently constructed High Hall.The Rector of Burnsall found him an apprenticeship in London, and he travelled by draper's cart to be apprenticed to a Merchant Taylor in the City of London. He thrived and rose through the ranks of the Merchant Taylors' Guild, and making his fortune (estimated at eight billion in current terms).He was knighted by James 1st in 1603, and finally became Lord Mayor of London in 1610. With a fondness for his roots in Appletreewick, Sir William acquired and enlarged the High Hall that had stood opposite his childhood home for his own use.He built the road bridges at Barden and Burnsall, paved the road from Appletreewick to Burnsall to ease his attendance at St. Wilfrid's Church, paid for the Church's repairs, and built and endowed Burnsall's Grammar School, whose foundation stone still lauds his contribution. As befits a country home of this stature, High Hall exudes history, character and authenticity, and provides ideal holiday accommodation for friends and family to get away from it all and enjoy this charming and historic home - High Hall wears the cloak of history lightly, like a favourite coat rather than a formal dress uniform. This imposing building is a real throwback to bygone days, with moulded stone copings, wood panelling, mullioned windows, flagged floors, old oak beams, original plasterwork, yet its sympathetic evolution and restoration have equipped it with every convenience expected of modern family life, whilst preserving its gentle and familiar character. Providing spacious accommodation, the ground floor offers the centrepiece of the building, the Great Hall, featuring a 16ft ceiling, a diamond-shaped stone flag floor, large stone inglenook, wood-burning stove, baby-grand piano, and enormous south-facing mullioned windows that flood the room with sunlight.Overlooking the Great Hall is the Minstrels' Gallery, a great place to sit and read and take in the storied history of this impressive yet welcoming room. The original oak Screens Passage leads through to a delightful south-facing sitting room overlooking the rear garden, and featuring a mantelpiece with an original decorative plasterwork "tree of life" motif; it also provides access through the original iron-studded front door to a stone porch with stone bench seating and a glazed door overlooking the gardens beyond. The spacious dining room boasts a large inglenook with beehive oven, original salt-box, wood-burning stove, original oak-panelled walls and ancient studded entrance door, this room is equipped with a substantial refectory table comfortably seating 14. The well-appointed adjoining kitchen is equipped with Aga and electric hobs and ovens, premium appliances, and also contains a spacious informal dining area. A split "stable" door leads out to the kitchen garden where guests can help themselves to homegrown produce and enjoy the plentiful birdlife attracted to the feeding table. The main staircase is a dogleg oak stair adorned with original panelling, rising all the way up the four storeys of the house in half-flights to the seven bedrooms and upstairs reception rooms above. On the first floor, the master bedroom is a real delight with superking bed, a magnificent ornate plasterwork ceiling, and original plasterwork chimney frieze featuring the Craven heraldic crest (the only recorded surviving instance of this version, before the family's subsequent elevation), all topped off with elevated views over the gardens to the surrounding Dales countryside. The adjoining bathroom features a free-standing cast iron claw-foot bath and separate shower unit. The first floor also features a further large bedroom with king-sized bed and ample wardrobe space, overlooking St John's Chapel and the village main street. This room can optionally be combined with the master bedroom to form a sumptuous private master suite equipped with both bathroom and dressing room. The beautiful staircase leads higher to a further bedroom located at the mid-floor landing level, equipped with king bed and en-suite shower room, and then higher still to the second floor landing where there is access to a 32' x 28ft sitting room/games room above the Great Hall, with leather sofa, 12 ft ceilings, commanding views over the gardens and beyond over Wharfedale, a large flat screen TV, and a supply of traditional games - an ideal place for the kids to relax and unwind, and most importantly to get away from the parents.A further short staircase off the main 2nd floor landing leads to a further small landing with access to: -a spacious bedroom with super-king bed, ensuite, and beautiful open-beamed high ceiling, overlooking the gardens and the fields beyond down to the River Wharfe. - a spacious second-floor bathroom featuring a double bath and separate shower unit. -a further large bedroom with king bed, overlooking the village rooftops and main street. -a staircase leading to a loft suite, with king bed, ensuite, sitting area, and elevated views up Wharfedale towards Burnsall Fell. Heading back down to the main 2nd floor landing, the central oak staircase then rises a further level to access a charming split-level loft bedroom, equipped with king bed, ensuite, and a private seating area, and elevated views to Simon's Seat and Howgill. This wonderful Dales holiday home has the added benefit of a walled cottage garden, formal topiary gardens, folly, a water garden bordered by yew hedging and lavender beds, a delightful cobbled entrance courtyard, and a well-stocked kitchen garden with vegetables and culinary herbs. Spend some time in the morning sunlight over breakfast in the front garden as you plan the day’s activities, or wander down to the koi pond and feed the fish. A large level lawn provides a great spot for an improvised kick-about, or a game of badminton or croquet. The large summerhouse has been set up as a relaxation area with music system and mirrored studio space to practice Yoga or Pilates, with french doors opening directly to the gardens. The gardens offer ample traditional bench seating and plenty of spots to linger in peaceful contemplation, as well as facilities for outdoor dining. The hot tub is set just above the kitchen garden, and provides a great place to relax after a day out on the local fells or public footpath walks along the river to nearby Burnsall or Grassington. Enjoy excellent cycling trails and footpaths right from the doorstep; explore Bolton Abbey and the infamous Strid- a notorious stretch of deep water where the River Wharfe is forced into a hidden, thundering channel; or enjoy the unique botanical gardens at nearby Parceval Hall and explore the mysterious Troller's Gill. Experience the history of a bygone age and relaxed country living at its finest in this truly wonderful holiday home.