With the dramatic backdrop of Rievaulx Abbey — which is lit up at night — Rose Cottage in Rievaulx is a rare find, says Rachel Macpherson of Carter Jonas in York. ‘The properties that form this picture-perfect community very rarely come on to the market for sale, as a large number have been in the ownership of local estates for many years.’
The cottage has three bedrooms — all of which enjoy views of the abbey, as well as the surrounding countryside — and a pretty cottage garden. In addition, permission has been granted for a ground-floor side extension to be built. The property is currently on the market via Carter Jonas with a guide price of £600,000.
Internally, everything is in working order, but — and it's something of a big but — the place is crying out for a refurbishment. Not quite to the extent that the abbey itself is, of course, but from the looks of things it'll need top to bottom decoration, including a new kitchen and bathroom.
That said, what needs to be done is cosmetic rather than structural, and the makeover will give the new owner a chance to really transform this house into a much-loved home right from the start. What it won't be, however, is an opportunity for an AirBNB rental: a covenant on the property prohibits its use as a holiday let.
The village of Rievaulx sits in what was once the inner court of the Rievaulx Abbey, one of the most powerful Cistercian abbeys in England.
Built in the 12th century and later abandoned during the dissolution of the monasteries, the dramatic, towering ruins now form a breathtaking backdrop to Rose Cottage’s garden, where mature hedging, trees and a low-level stone wall form much of the outdoor space.
The Abbey is managed by the English Heritage Trust, with tours and a museum open to the public. The wider North York Moors provide a sublime backdrop for further exploration.
Helmsley, three miles away, is the nearest town, with a varied range of shops and amenities. Within the wider area, there is a great range of local restaurants and pubs to discover, plus the coast can be easily reached. Schooling is also excellent, with Ampleforth College, Ryedale Secondary School and Sedbergh School.
This is a rare and exciting chance for buyers to live and make their mark in one of England's most fascinating and historic sites.
Rose Cottage is currently on the market via Carter Jonas with a guide price of £600,000 — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
-
From California to Cornwall: How surfing became a cornerstone of Cornish cultureA new exhibition at Cornwall's National Maritime Museum celebrates a century of surf culture and reveals how the country became a global leader in surf innovation and conservation.
-
Jaecoo 7 SHS: Can you really get a luxury SUV for £35,000?The Chinese automaker Jaecoo lands on UK shores with the 7. We take it for a spin around Scotland and the north of England to see if the hype is real.
-
18 magnificent homes for sale from £550k to £20 million, as seen in Country LifeFrom a charming thatched cottage to a 300-acre estate with its own vineyard, here's our pick of places to come to the market via Country Life of late.
-
If heaven is on earth, it might be in this home with a converted chapel that is now a swimming pool5 Wood Barton Town House is part of an exclusive 80-acre development in Devon that also comes with fishing rights on the River Avon and four bedrooms.
-
The sounds of spring and stained glass in an Arts-and-Crafts masterpiece in DorsetWith 35 acres, more than 10 bedrooms, a swimming pool and tennis court, Winterfield has it all.
-
An eight-bedroom wonder in East Sussex where the outdoors are an adventureThe interiors of Old Middleton are pretty good too.
-
A lakeside farmhouse on the market in the beautiful heart of PembrokeshireA lake, streams, 15 acres and five bedrooms. Rogershook might have it all.
-
An idyllic countryside home that's light, spacious and comes with a Grade II-listed follyHagg House is a gorgeous family home that just happens to have a miniature castle in the gardens. Annabel Dixon explains more.
-
A historic villa for sale on the Via Nomentana worthy of Rome's rich historyThree floors, lots of balconies, and a private garden in one of Rome's loveliest neighbourhoods.
-
Eight bedrooms of unlisted Edwardian elegance with sweeping views of SomersetAshton House sits near the market town of Chard and comes with a wealth of amenities both inside and out.
