At first sight Hovingham could hardly look more idyllic. Cows graze contentedly on lush limestone pasture with the honey coloured Hovingham Hall providing the perfect backdrop. It’s an utterly English and timeless scene evocative of an 18th century painting.
Make no mistake this village is a real gem. Nestling in the Howardian Hills in North Yorkshire it’s a bit like a more tranquil version of Helmsley, just eight miles north. But for all its beauty this is a place with a soul. There are boundless opportunities to get involved with the community and enjoy the benefits of clean air and rural living, along with a small number of fine independent businesses. So what's the catch? Well you will need to take property hunting seriously and be prepared to act quickly.
This is a community of fewer than 400 people and only a handful of homes come onto the market each year. Almost inevitably you will need to expand your search to the other beautiful villagers nearby. Public transport may also be an issue for some. The sole bus service links communities between Helmsley and Malton, which provides the nearest direct railway connections to York, Leeds and Scarborough.
The local primary school has also recently closed. However there’s a viable alternative at Slingsby, just two miles away, and rated as good by Ofsted. None of which should mask the fact that if it's country living and quality of life you crave then few places offer as much in such a small package.
EXPLORE
Hovingham has a brilliant monthly market that takes place on the first Saturday of each month. It encapsulates the village's vibrant community spirit. Run by over 100 volunteers, it has revived a tradition of open air stalls dating back to 1256. Local crafts and delicious seasonal produce are all on offer, with stalls changing regularly.
Dominating the village is Grade I Hovingham Hall. Built around 1760 by Thomas Worsley it boasts vaulted halls, classical proportions and beautiful stonework. It has also been in the same family for over 400 years and uniquely the main entrance takes you through a covered riding school where horses were once trained. Pre-arranged visits are possible as part of a larger group. If history is your thing then also check out All Saints Church with it's magnificent Anglo Saxon tower dating back 1000 years. There’s even an 8th century cross set into the stonework, possibly from an earlier structure destroyed by rampaging Vikings.
For local facilities it's surprising what Hovingham offers. There's a very popular bakery, village shop, hairdresser, two cafes, hotel and a doctor's surgery. In addition sports fans will be pleased to learn there are tennis courts, a bowling green and a superbly located cricket ground that really belongs on a chocolate box cover.
New to the village is Myse, a gourmet restaurant with rooms housed in the former Malt Shovel pub. The owners previously ran successful eateries in York and promise a fresh spin on Yorkshire cuisine.
Needless to say Hovingham is an excellent base to explore the ravishing countryside. The Howardian Hills is an area of outstanding natural beauty and covers almost 80 square miles. It includes Castle Howard and the Yorkshire Arboretum, just four miles away, whilst a similar distance brings you to historic Nunnington Hall. The area is dotted with lovely walks through parkland, fields and woods adorned with wild flowers. This designated landscape may not be as well known as the county's national parks, but it really is stunning. To get pulses racing Dalby Forest, with its world-class network of mountain bike trails, is just a 30-minute drive away and the coast not much further.
BAG A PROPERTY
Property is understandably in short supply in Hovingham itself. About 50 percent of dwellings are privately owned, with the Estate or housing association accounting for most of the remainder. With more demand than supply prices have soared in recent years. For example a typical detached dwelling sells for around £450,000, which is up 25% over the past five years. Most of the housing stock comprises lovely older stone cottages with distinctive red pantile roofs. But there are a few attractive new builds.
Expect to pay over £700,000 for one of these, complete with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Meanwhile, semi detached homes sell for an average of £272,000. The whole village sits within a conservation area to protect it from unsympathetic developments. Of course to find your dream home it pays to expand your search and there's no shortage of other beautiful villages locally. These include Slingsby, Terrington, Scackleton, Wellburn and Nunnington. Each has its own charms.
Hovingham Estate occasionally has properties available for let and it's always worth checking their website. They vary from two to three bedroom cottages to larger dwellings with leases generally over two or seven years.
TOWN LIFE
Frances Standen is a farmer, shepherdess, environmental enthusiast, wild swimmer and cake baker! She’s also passionate about the Howardian Hills and one of the organisers of Hovingham’s prize winning monthly market.
'The village has an amazing location and it’s also really pretty. But there’s also lots to do with plenty of things happening. The local bakery is really excellent and amongst the wonderful items on offer are Swedish buns and scrumptious bread. The Park Cafe is also really good, whilst the Worsley Arms is a great place for a pint or a meal in a traditional setting. Hovingham may look quite and peaceful, but it’s got plenty of heart and community spirit. The monthly market is a great place to promote independent local craftspeople and food producers with about 60 stalls, plus a special Christmas market. It’s also raised an incredible amount of money for charity, over £130,000 since 2009.'
