A grand country house in Yorkshire that effortlessly blends the 1720s with the 2020s
Dougill Hall offers space, gorgeous architecture and just the right amount of modern style. Penny Churchill takes a look.

Classic Georgian houses don’t come any more, well, classic than Grade II*-listed Dougill Hall.
The agents, Blenkin & Co, quote a guide price of £2m for this imposing stone house. For a home of such scale and beauty that seems amazing — particularly when you consider that you might easily spend the same on a dilapidated one-bedroom property in Maida Vale. And at no extra charge, it even has one of those names that you’d never know how to pronounce unless someone told you: it’s ‘dow-gill’, apparently, rather than ‘doo-gill’ or ‘dug-ill’.
No matter how you say it, this home at Summerbridge — four miles from Pateley Bridge and eight miles from Harrogate — is a beauty. It’s an early-18th-century country house (built in 1722 for the Dougill family and extended in 1910) with an annexe, barn and stabling, set in five acres of gardens, grounds and paddocks.
As you can see from the pictures here, it's set in a delightful area, with most of the rooms offering far-reaching views across the Nidderdale Valley.
Inside, it's been sensitively modernised but with a dash of modern flair — this ceiling beams and original brickwork mix with fixtures and fittings that wouldn't look out of place in an East London loft.
The restoration and updating has taken place fairly recently, it offers more than 4,700sq ft of elegant, well-proportioned accommodation on three floors.
On the ground floor you’ll find an entrance porch, three reception rooms and kitchen/breakfast room.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Above are a principal bedroom with bathroom en suite, six further bedrooms and two additional bathrooms.
And there’s a separate, self-contained one-bedroom apartment: The Old Cooling House on the northern wing of the property, ideal for use as a granny flat or even a holiday let.
Dougill Hall is for sale with Blenkin & Co at a guide price of £2m — see more pictures and details.
-
Robin Hood's seaside getaway, and who appears on the £20 note?
Our daily quiz features one of the most beautiful spots in Britain... but where is it?
By Toby Keel Published
-
A glorious 17th century home in one of the most exclusive waterside villages in Britain
Orchard House was lucky not to have been sunk beneath the surface of Rutland Water when it was created in the 1970s — but it did, and today this wonderful spot is looking better than ever.
By Toby Keel Last updated
-
A glorious 17th century home in one of the most exclusive waterside villages in Britain
Orchard House was lucky not to have been sunk beneath the surface of Rutland Water when it was created in the 1970s — but it did, and today this wonderful spot is looking better than ever.
By Toby Keel Last updated
-
A honey-coloured, 300-year-old rectory where every period-house headache has already been solved for you
The Old Rectory is a charming family home that's just undergone an extensive renovation.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
The sleepy village hall that's been transformed into a breathtaking home
The Village Hall in Shotley Bridge is a masterful conversion of a much-loved village amenity.
By James Fisher Published
-
Six wonderful rural homes for sale, as seen in Country Life
Our pick of the best homes to feature in Country Life over the past week includes a grand Sussex estate and a delightful riverside home.
By Toby Keel Published
-
A five-bedroom former farmhouse brought to life with one of the finest living rooms we've seen
Glebe Farm in Nottinghamshire has undergone an astounding restoration to create a very special home.
By James Fisher Published
-
A five-acre estate at the heart of the 'prettiest village in Leicestershire'
Horninghold Hall is the jewel in the crown of Horninghold.
By Penny Churchill Last updated
-
A wetsuit room, fingerprint entry and coastal views from all the principal rooms: Is this the ultimate Cornish holiday home?
Sitting pretty overlooking Polzeath Beach in North Cornwall, Megizzy’s spectacular views, contemporary design and well thought out features are hard to beat.
By Annabel Dixon Last updated
-
Inside Audrey Hepburn's exquisite Alpine retreat
Views of the mountains, 40 acres of gardens and grounds and 10,000 sq ft La Paisible is a subtle yet spacious country home.
By James Fisher Published