Historic Spital Farm on market for £1.5m after owners retire

Since then, it has been used as a medieval hostel, a monastery, a farmhouse and a campsite.

But the eight-acre Spital Farm at Staxton, near Scarborough, has been put on the market for £1.5m after the owners decided to retire.

The farm complex comprises a bar, 52-cover restaurant and carvery; a grade two-listed 16th century three bedroomed house, with bedsits and ancillary buildings; a Dickens-themed craft centre with retail units; and camping facilities for tents, motorhomes and caravans, with potential to expand.

The farm itself dates back to the 16th century and looks out across the Vale of Pickering.

Dan Hyde, retail specialist in the Leeds office of property agent Knight Frank, said: “This is one of the most unusual retail properties to come on to the market in Yorkshire this year. It is also one of the most attractive, with tremendous potential.

“There is planning permission in place for the craft centre and retail units to be converted into a 16-bedroom motel and there is considerable scope to expand the camp site and the facilities subject to securing the relevant permissions.”

The campsite was launched in 2001. Recent archaeological surveys have exposed an ancient hostel dating back to medieval times, which was built on top of a Roman Marching Camp. The present Spital Farm site first came about when an ancient monastery was demolished during the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII.