Description

SITUATION
Carr End, located on the southwestern bank of Lake Semerwater, sits in an enviable position in the midst of a no through road valley at the heart of Wensleydale. Situated close to the hamlet of Countersett, Carr End is less than three miles from the village of Bainbridge, which provides direct access onto the A684 and wider road network, offering practicality with privacy amidst the uncompromised rural beauty of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

CARR END
The Estate sits in an elevated position nestled into the crag overlooking Lake Semerwater, the second largest lake in North Yorkshire. Set below Marsett Lane, the property has uninterrupted views across Raydale amongst the rolling hills and dry stone walls that typify the Yorkshire Dales landscape. The immediate surroundings comprise traditional livestock farms and undulating grassland within the basin that forms the backdrop to Lake Semerwater; fed by numerous becks and tributaries that flow into the River Bain to the north of the Lake and onwards to the River Ure.

HISTORICAL NOTE
Built in the 1600s, Carr End is a Grade II listed building steeped in history with a remarkable provenance. The original house was built in 1667 by John Fothergill, a forebear of Dr John Fothergill, the renowned botanist and physician regarded as a pioneer in his field. The property was further extended in 18th and 19th Centuries to its existing footprint and holds a wealth of original features creating a unique atmosphere full of charm. An archive of original historical documents comprising visitors books, diaries and receipts has been preserved and added to over the centuries, dating back to the 1600s. Within the archive various noteworthy guests are documented including the painter JMW Turner.

DESCRIPTION
Carr End is an excellent example of a small country Estate in the Yorkshire Dales. The main house is immaculately presented and has been renovated to a high standard, now combining the comforts of modern living with its historic character. The original walled garden, rock garden with cascading waterfall and orchard encircle the property.

In addition to the main house, the property includes a substantial traditional barn, stone boathouse, range of outbuildings and a further field barn.

In all, the Estate extends to approximately 22.79 acres which includes amenity grassland, shingle beach and a tranche of Lake Semerwater together with sailing and fishing rights. The traditional barn and 6.21 acres of land is let on an Agricultural Holdings Act Tenancy with the remaining farmland let on an annual Farm Business Tenancy, providing a modest income stream.

The approach is via a short private drive leading from Marsett Lane framed by trees and hill with Lake Semerwater as the focal point.

CARR END FARMHOUSE
The main house was first built in 1667 by the Fothergill Family and later extended in 18th and 19th Centuries to form the existing footprint. The property is built of limestone beneath a slate roof and comprises a host of internal and external period features including stone flag floors, exposed beams, traditional fireplaces and an exquisite stone staircase which exude the charm of their period.

Internally extending to almost 5,200 sq ft. the ground floor accommodation includes Entrance Halll with oak door and stone flag flooring leading to the Drawing Room with fireplace and original oak paneling, and Sitting Room with substantial fireplace and original stone lintel. This connects to the Dining Room, again with fireplace and oak paneling overlooking the gardens and grounds which leads to the main dining Kitchen fitted with pine units, marble surfaces, AGA and dishwasher. Leading from here is a side entrance, informal hallway and the Snug.

A second kitchen known as the Scullery lies at the eastern end of the house which is also fitted with AGA, sink and a sizeable Pantry. Beyond this lies the Boiler Room with downstairs WC, a modest Garden Room overlooking the walled garden, Boot Room and Workshop with various accesses to the gardens.

Three staircases ascend to the first floor, the main staircase being a particularly handsome feature with a stone cantilever design lit by the original venetian window. The first floor accommodation comprises spacious Landing, Principal Bedroom together with fireplace and ensuite Bathroom, a further six double Bedrooms, three of which benefit from ensuite Shower Rooms and many that include fitted wardrobes, paneling and window seats. A family Bathroom with bath, shower, WC and sink and Study with dual aspect completes the first floor accommodation. A staircase descends from the Study to the Snug which forms a natural divide in the house, ideal as a separate living space or guest quarters.

GARDENS AND GROUNDS
Situated southeast of the farmhouse is the original walled garden which the Fothergill Family is believed to have established. Screened by the original stone wall the formal garden with stone flagged terrace falls away to the beck which runs the width of the property and is crossed by a stone footbridge, connecting the southern lawns to the house and gardens. The beck is fed into by a waterfall that cascades from the rear of the property, through the gardens, to eventually meet the Lake. West of the walled garden lies a lawned area bordered by shrubs and to east and south is the rockery and further lawned grounds bound by dry stone walls with various hard standing areas for outdoor dining, each with magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. The gardens are interspersed with mature trees and maintained to a high standard in keeping with the property’s character.

TRADITIONAL BUILDINGS
The principal farm building lies immediately west of the main house and is a traditional, double height shippon of substantial proportions. It is of stone construction beneath a fibre cement roof and comprises livestock stalls, milking parlour and hayloft. It is currently let on an Agricultural Holdings Act tenancy along with 6.21 acres of land.

A second barn sits in the largest of the field parcels northeast of the house and forms part of the Farm Business Tenancy, together with 14.36 acres of land. Again, it is a double height building of stone construction under a slate roof and in latter years has been used as an ad-hoc field shelter.

To the west of the main house is a two storey stone built boathouse, formerly used as boat storage, and to the rear is the original stone built Ice House set into the rock side dating back to 1667. This adds another fascinating period feature to the property and today provides additional storage adjacent to a modest range of connecting outbuildings.

LAND
The land extends to approximately 21 acres of grass land parcels, shoreline and lake and is broadly divided into 5 fields. The majority of the land is let on two separate tenancies; two field parcels of 6.21 acres south and southeast of the farmhouse is let on an Agricultural Holdings Act tenancy (shaded blue on the sale plan) and the remaining 14.36 acres and stone field barn are let on an annual Farm Business Tenancy (shaded red on the sale red) . The tenanted land is currently used to graze livestock and includes the wetland adjoining the lake.

A small copse known as ‘The Spinney’ sits north of Marsett Lane, south of which lies the core land descending southeasterly towards Semerwater. The northern block of land to east and west is bound by open fields along with the neighbouring farm which sits on the western flank. Crooks Beck and the lake form the southern wetland boundary with open fields to the west and woodland to the north.

The low lying fields form part of the designated Semerwater Site of Special Scientific Interest and provides habitat for a host of wildlife. This adds another dimension to the property creating an extremely attractive setting which captures the imagination.