A Victorian reservoir transformed into a sprawling underground home that's part Roman villa and part Hobbit house
A lot of houses get touted by agents as being 'unique'... but The Old Reservoir in Wharfdale really does live up to its billing.

If, come the revolution, you're looking for a home where the spotter planes commandeered by the angry mob won't notice you, we've got the ideal property today. It's called The Old Reservoir, a delightfully on-the-nose name for a house which is an old reservoir that's been converted in truly luxurious fashion. Carter Jonas are the agents, and the asking price is £1.25 million.
Going through the Hobbit-like entrance of this place, you'd never guess what lies within: it's a spacious, and remarkably light three-bedroom home.
The graceful arches and exposed stonework give the place the feel of a Roman villa — particularly in the glass-covered central courtyard.
Yet it's also decidedly modern. The house has recently been refurbished with bespoke interiors and underfloor heating powered by an air-source heat pump.
Outside you get plenty of space, with are landscaped gardens and a young wood included within the plot.
The house lies one mile outside the village of Burley in Wharfedale, on the edge of the Yorkshire moors, with a village station that can take you to Leeds or Bradford, from where London is three hours on the train. And if you need to go further afield, Leeds-Bradford Airport is less than half an hour in the car.
You can see more pictures and details here.
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.
What else you could buy nearby
Huge gardens, lots of period character and a rural location for £1.075 million at this house in Leathley, which has a touch of Brontë-esque charm without feeling spooky.
A few miles away from The Old Reservoir, Harrogate is full of beautiful period property. But it isn't full of beautiful period property that has a roof terrace and a location right across from The Stray, the huge park near the centre of this venerable old town. That does push the price up, unfortunately, meaning that this three-bedroom apartment is for sale at £1 million.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
Toby Keel is Country Life's Digital Director, and has been running the website and social media channels since 2016. A former sports journalist, he writes about property, cars, lifestyle, travel, nature.
-
Merlins: Britain's smallest bird of prey is a 'swerving, zigzagging, 240mph weighted missile' that's gutsy enough to chase off a golden eagle
Size doesn’t matter when it comes to the fighting spirit of the tiny merlin, a fierce parent and favoured hunting accessory of Mary, Queen of Scots.
By Mark Cocker Published
-
The greatest moment in the life of Jessie Owens: Country Life Quiz of the Day, June 13, 2025
Breathtaking athleticism and Shakespeare's birthday are among the questions in the final quiz of the week.
By Country Life Published
-
Soft tones and a sense of place: A Mayfair duplex that breaks the modern mould
A new designer-led residence at 60 Curzon in Mayfair reminds us that everything new doesn't necessarily have to look it.
By James Fisher Published
-
'The very best North Yorkshire has to offer': The £25 million Kirkham Estate
With 1,103 acres and on the market for the first time in a century, we've got a new frontrunner for the sale of the year.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
The reality of 20 years of house price rises in Britain, from the places that have had a charmed life to the spots where it's a struggle to move back home
At first glance the ups and downs of the property market seem to even out over time — but dig in to the numbers and you'll see wild regional variations which paint a very difference picture. Annabel Dixon analyses new research which tells the story.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
A historic Yorkshire hall, meticulously restored to its former 18th-century magnificence
Womersley Park is a masterpiece and one of Yorkshire's great historic houses. And it could be yours.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
Rowing past dreams: An idyllic riverside home with a boathouse, croquet pitch and Olympic pedigree
The Manor in Long Wittenham is a perfect Thames-side getaway. Comes with a free boat.
By James Fisher Published
-
A bucolic Sussex home that's 'like stepping into a fairytale', yet just 30 minutes from central London
Felmere House is a playground for nature and only 30 minutes from London.
By James Fisher Last updated
-
Magnificent mansions across the Home Counties, from £3 million to £14 million, as seen in Country Life
A waterside dream home and a house and estate with over 1,100 years of history make our round-up this week.
By Toby Keel Last updated
-
Vibrant colours and exquisite taste make this three-bedroom London townhouse sing
On Kennington's West Square, this Grade II-listed home is a monument to the discerning eye.
By James Fisher Published