Station RoadTopcliffe, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 3SQ

This splendid and distinctive family house was built in 1932 for the manager of the local Midland Bank, Mr Mitchell. He fell, inappropriately it seems, for one of his employees, but had to wait until his retirement to marry her and build the house for them to live in. He spared no expense, using the highest quality materials and equipping the house as befitted one of his status. Subsequently the house was requisitioned as officers' quarters in the war.

Over the past few years the house has been the subject of considerable restoration and significant refurbishment by the present owners, including the grounds which have been extensively redesigned and landscaped. As well as a new roof and windows the property has been tastefully redecorated throughout, receiving a new garden room to the rear and a fabulous handmade kitchen by Charles Yorke. The reception rooms are all perfectly proportioned, with high ceilings, just the right balance of period features and large picture windows framing the gardens. The bedrooms also have been reconfigured and updated to provide three contemporary bathrooms, two of which are en suite, all finished to a very high standard.

In addition to the main house there are a series of recently upgraded outbuildings which surround the rear courtyard garden, which has also received its fair share of work, including a new raised terrace with glazed veranda, providing a super venue for al fresco dining. The surrounding buildings provide a versatile arrangement of stores for coal, logs, bicycles and a workshops.

The house stands in an elevated position with views to the front towards the River Swale and Topcliffe Mill, while the Hambleton Hills rise to the rear. It is approached through electric wrought iron gates and via a gravelled drive to one side of the front lawn which is flanked by mature Scots pines, shaped evergreens and hedging. The drive leads to parking beside the domestic outbuildings and to the front of the house. Across the driveway hidden by the hedging is a secret garden and play area for children and around to the rear of the house and outbuildings are a series of lawned gardens, bordered by box hedging and colorful layered beds, linked by a wooden walkway and a number of graveled pathways.

The remainder of the land comprises a series of grass fields extending to about six acres, well supported by a timber range by Hodgsons of Cotherstone including barns, haystore and loose boxes. The land and timber outbuildings are accessed via a separate gravelled driveway which also leads to a twin car port with adjoining store/garage.

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