Country Hideaways | The Rookery | Bishopdale

On a small knoll, facing south across the valley, sits The Rookery, covering over two acres of woodland broken by cultivated lawns and informal gardens. A wonderful place to explore, an island of tranquillity in a dales landscape. The original country house has long since gone leaving the stable block and courtyard which have been converted into an impressive dwelling.

A private drive crosses parkland meadow to an impressive arched entrance and flagged courtyard. Entrance to the house opens into a spacious, well-equipped kitchen that includes an Aga stove. To one side of the kitchen is a large dining room with formal dining table that seats 10 and wood-burning stove that leads through to the drawing room with a Victorian fireplace with wood-burning stove and period chandelier. Both rooms have beautiful cornice work, polished hardwood floors and large windows bathing the rooms in warm natural light.

Also off the kitchen is a utility room that leads into a games room with pool table, table football, dartboard, galley kitchen and bathroom. A corridor leads from the games room to the courtyard. From the dining room a wide and elegant staircase with open balustrades and polished rails rises to the main landing that serves five bedrooms, two shower rooms and a house bathroom. Two bedrooms have twin beds, one a double bed, one a king-size bed and the other a super king-size bed that can be split into twin beds if preferred. All bedrooms have large windows with views either over the courtyard to the far fells beyond or onto a rock terrace to the rear of the house and up the steep fell behind. One bathroom is en-suite to the king-size room, the other en-suite to the super king-size room but both are also accessible from the landing. The double room, with brass bedstead, was originally a kitchen for the ostler and still contains the original Victorian kitchen range. The ceilings upstairs are vaulted into the roof space with rafters, purlins and king posts exposed in various forms adding individual character to each room.

The scale and setting of the house along with its unique style enhanced by the retention of original features and enriched by period fittings, fine furnishings and soothing colours makes this an enchanting place to stay.

The Rookery offers very spacious accommodation, with woodland grounds and lawns that cannot be described as remote, in the true Dales tradition, but a perfect hideaway haven none the less.

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