The Old Presbytery Guest House

The Presbytery prior to 1854 was called Scarthingwell lodge the original part of which was built in the shape of a cross of the same stone as York Minster (quarried 2 miles away) in very fine ashlare construction with external masons marks above the original entrance door giving indications to have been a Monks lodge, Freemason or Templar house. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, as you would expect with 130 years of priests prior to us moving in, many of the original features are maintained whilst the most modern technology is employed for your comfort & convenience. Barkston Ash, the nearest village is reputed to be the centre of the old Yorkshire Ridings, which is on the limestone ridge and carries the Old London road to York via Tadcaster, the A162 runs parallel to the A1 and is only 4 miles from the M1 this gives easy access to all parts of Yorkshire including. The Dales and Bronte country, North Yorkshire Moors with Pickering steam railway famous location of the Heartbeat series, Harewood House, Castle Howard and the world heritage site of Fountains Abbey are within easy distance or if you prefer the Air museum, National Railway museum at York or the Royal Armouries at Leeds the list goes on! We make an ideal stopover halfway between London & Edinburgh. York is just fourteen miles away with the large Minster and Roman walls and many quaint streets, snickleways and impressive museums, which give a fantastic insight into York and Yorkshire in past times. Leeds shopping with Victorian arcades, one of the largest open markets in the UK, top designer shops make for proper Northern shopping, also many cultural and industrial museums. The house is situated close to the Towton battlefield or if your pleasure is golf then Scarthingwell 18 hole course is just 600 metres away, arrive early, call locally at Lotherton Hall with its Bird Garden, House, & walks, or even the quaint & peaceful medieval Lead Church (2 miles) We have many Local walks,