The best view in Yorkshire? It could be yours to be enjoyed from the terrace of a stunning £7m castle, near Thirsk, which is up for sale. We meet the owner who transformed this dazzling heritage gem
Kirby Knowle near Thirsk is the property of dreams. A Grade II listed grand design with a 700-year royal heritage that has been gently coaxed into the 21st Century to offer a life of luxury for today’s occupants.
The castle is perched high in its regal spot on the edge of the Hambleton Hills in 65 acres of land. You notice it from the A19 near Thirsk, especially on a sunny day drawn to the glow of its golden stonework.
The views from the smart terrace span Sutton Bank and the Vale of Mowbray to the Vale of York – the area that Alf Wright, author of the All Creatures Great and Small stories named his favourite view too.
It is a view that is precious to Kirby Knowle’s owner, the businessman David Kempley, of Leeds-based salad suppliers, Troy Foods.
He has lived in the castle with his family for eight years and took on the project when the property was in a sorry state. Restoration took about two years with guidance and support from English Heritage, to create a home that, says David, ‘will be here for a long time, we have just been custodians.’
No expense was spared in the renovation which saw the 12-bedroomed home become a six/seven bedroom property - ‘The Victorians made smalls rooms’, laughs David.
The unseen essentials like foundations and plumbing needed a huge amount of attention.The tower had housed all the bathrooms when David took on the project but ultimately, Kirby Knowle was reinvented with exceptional design, beautiful decoration, high quality fittings and bespoke joinery by the team at Peter Thompson of York, and artisan plasterwork.
To bring this ‘classic castle’ back to life, damaged architectural stonework and window openings were replaced and restored, together with re-roofing, rewiring and installation of a commercial capacity biomass heating system.
‘My favourite room is the biomass boiler room’, says David, with no irony. ‘It’s a work of art! He proudly takes visitors for a look at the feat of engineering that is at the heart of what is now a comfortable and warm family home rather than a remote and draughty ruin.
The internal accommodation has been completely reorganised, the original staircase was removed, and a three-story open staircase installed to allow natural light and take advantage of the exceptional views. The style of the property is contemporary, relaxed and unfussy.
The kitchen/dining room is grand and sociable with bespoke handmade fittings. On the lower ground floor, it’s all about relaxation with a cinema room, snooker/ games room and wine cellar. Elsewhere there’s a gym and steam room.
On site there is also a refurbished detached cottage, which could be used for guest or staff quarters. The stunning redesigned garden areas to the front of the house with its ornamental fountain, have stone-flagged patios making the most of the views, and a barbecue kitchen, which is made for gatherings.
‘The view is the best in Yorkshire’, says David. ‘You can see to the middle distance, long and short – and sit and watch the weather change.’
It’s time for the Kempleys to move on and for others to become custodians of this castle.
‘It's a home for someone who wants something different, a family home, a place of privacy and safety – and the best view in Yorkshire!’#
Kirby Knowle is for sale at £6,950,000
knightfrank.co.uk
