A house with a 14th-century tower and a secret garden is for sale in Yorkshire

Bolton Old Hall in Bolton-on-Swale, near Richmond, dates from the 14th century and has a fascinating history. The five-bedroom, 640-year-old house has two acres of glorious walled gardens which include a secret garden. The main house is Elizabethan but the oldest part is a magnificent peel tower built by the le Scrope family in the 1380s as a defence against border raiders from Scotland. In the 17th century, a Georgian facade was added. The mother of two Yorkshire brothers involved in the Gunpowder Plot moved to the house after they were shot in a scuffle while on the run after Guy Fawkes's arrest, and ironically the owners of the hall still traditionally host Bolton-on-Swale's annual Bonfire Night gathering. The current owners have been in residence for 15 years and have modernised the property, adding a new kitchen/dining room with roof lantern and French doors opening onto the walled garden, and a fifth bedroom. The Grade II-listed house's focal point is the drawing room, originally the dining hall, which has an English oak floor, 17th century panelling, exposed beams, a Tudor fireplace and raised hearth. The master bedroom has 8ft windows overlooking the gardens and a walk-in wardrobe. The secret garden is accessed via an archway and there is lapsed planning permission for an outdoor swimming pool. There is also a courtyard. The hall is next to the 14th-century village church. Bolton Old Hall is for sale with a guide price of £1.25million through agents Blenkin & Co. In 2002 it was listed for sale for £525,000 with the same agents.