The Merchants House

Celebrate any occasion in style or simply enjoy creating wonderful memories with family and friends in this magnificent historic merchant’s house in the market town of Masham. This lovely Yorkshire Dales town makes a delightful base, with a scattering of shops, cafes and restaurants, a twice-weekly market, and the renowned Black Sheep and Theakston Breweries. Set out walking or cycling from your doorstep, or venture deeper into the Yorkshire Dales National Park to admire the stunning scenery – the town of Nidderdale (12 miles) is the gateway to the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, one of the region’s most beautiful dales. For a spot of history, Middleham Castle is just 9 miles away, and for some family fun, the Lightwater Valley Adventure Park is just 6.5 miles.

Located in a prime position on the town square, this elegant property once housed shops on the ground floor, but became a private house in the 1980s and has been sympathetically renovated throughout, with the original Georgian features preserved alongside contemporary touches. The elegant entrance has a window seat overlooking the marketplace, and an arch leading through to the long hallway. The light and airy lounge is a wonderful spot for family gatherings with large comfortable sofas arranged around a TV and open fire, and windows overlooking the square. The kitchen/diner is simply stunning, featuring a modern, fully fitted kitchen beneath a beamed ceiling, and a large family dining table next to double French doors leading to the courtyard and games barn. A lovely oak staircase leads up from the hallway to the first floor. Here you’ll find a stylish king-size bedroom with an en-suite bathroom overlooking the marketplace, an elegant twin bedroom along the corridor and down two steps, and a family shower room. An original 18th-century staircase leads up to the second floor where there are two more handsome bedrooms and a family bathroom.

Out the back, there’s an enclosed, walled and paved courtyard, bordered by climbing plants, with an old pig salter that has been refurbished as a spot to wash muddy boots and hose off dirty dogs before entering the property. This has access to the covered carport and the games barn, which houses a games room with a 3-in-1 games table. Stairs lead up to a sitting/cinema room with large TV, a sofa bed that can sleep an additional two people, and a shower room with WC.