It has to be the quirkiest home in the Harrogate district — yet it appears nobody is in a rush to buy it.
Skelton Windmill has seven floors and offers rooftop views of Ripon Cathedral, York Minster and the white horse at Kilburn.
Built in 1822, it was the windmill for Newby Hall until the First World War. It then remained derelict until it was converted to a home in the 1990s.
Wendy Wilby, a priest, and her husband Peter, a composer, have lived in it since 1998 but are now looking to sell. With their children grown up, the four-bedroom, grade two listed building and accompanying half acre of land is too big.
But after four months on the market it remains unsold, with the seven flights of stairs a drawback to some potential buyers. It’s now on the market for £850,000.
The windmill was built 200 years ago.
Ms Wilby said:
“It’s unique and quirky but you have got to love old buildings and feel the poetry of it.
“My husband is a composer and he finds it an extremely inspiring place to live.”
“We love it but we are getting older. I’m 73 and it’s all right now but in another 10 years it won’t be quite so easy.”
The windmill, which is between Boroughbridge and Ripon, has 70 steps leading to a trap door on to the roof.
Harrogate estate agents Strutt and Parker, which is marketing the property, describes the windmill as ‘one of the most complete windmills surviving in the country’ with ‘stunning views across the North Yorkshire countryside’.
Inside the windmill
The windmill comes with half an acre of land.
Read more:
- New heritage map reveals Boroughbridge’s rich history
- The Queen’s funeral to be televised at Ripon Cathedral
