Why go on holiday to visit a stunning chapel when you can stay in one?
Here in Yorkshire, we're blessed with a wealth of historical buildings.
From thatched roof cottages to ancient pubs that have been around since our grandparents' grandparents were young, there are so many stories from generations ago that lie between the four walls of our old buildings.
In Leyburn, North Yorkshire, just a 90 minute drive from Leeds, one staycation property offers the rare opportunity to stay in an old converted chapel. The building has carried its original charm into the present day and features like the stunning stained glass windows have been left inside, making this the perfect weekend escape for anyone in Leeds looking for a piece of history to make their stay truly unique.
Inside, visitors can take advantage of the open-plan living space. Natural light pours in through authentic stain glass windows and unique décor tastefully marries contemporary high-end amenities and furniture with the grandeur and elegance.
Set in a spacious manicured garden, the Old Chapel is a freestanding building with its own entrance through the original chapel doorway. Both bedrooms are on the ground floor, each with an en-suite bathroom and freestanding bath tub.
Upstairs, guests are welcomed by the open-plan living space, abundant soft seating and an engineered wood-burning stove to keep that warm, cosy ambience going from evening well into the twilight hours
According to the owners, The Old Chapel has an, "aesthetic emphasis is on minimalism, with uncluttered, light-filled space, clean, confident architectural lines, and classic, pleasing furniture", making it an ideal spot for those looking for a private escape in a beautiful location- we're really struggling to find any reason not to book a stay here.
Image: Cool Stays
If you're not sold on the buildings amenities: the optional in-house chef will have you convinced this is far better than a travelodge. The owner is a professional cook, and can provide 1-3 course meals with advance communication.
The Blue Lion, an award-winning gastropub, is just a stone’s throw from the Old Chapel for those that don't wish to cook during their stay.
The old chapel itself sleeps a maximum of four across two bedrooms but as the owners run the bed and breakfast next door, so an additional pair can be accommodated in the bed and breakfast with prior liaison. The dining table, sofas, and crockery all allow for six guests.
Popular with walkers and artists, the area draws couples, groups of friends, and families from all over the UK and beyond. Guests at The Old Chapel are encouraged to visit the Jervaulx Abbey, the oldest intact abbey in the country, with delightful tearooms just across the road, amongst other exciting local points of interest.
A residential area in Leedshas been highlighted as a UK ‘property hotspot’ based off house price data from 2025.
And it's probably not the place you’d expect either.
There’s no doubt the property market in our region has been booming over the last decade or so, with average house prices seeming to rise year-on-year, and more and more areas becoming sought-after as the places to live time goes on – but now, Rightmove has released its list of the top UK property hotspots for this year based off 2025 data, and a rather surprising Leeds suburb has made their way onto it.
To create its list of hotspots, the UK’s biggest property website compared average house prices across the UK during 2025 to out find the areas where prices they have risen the most, and the areas where prices are increasing more than the national average indicate that the area is a ‘hotspot’.
As well as soaring prices, Rightmove also considers a ‘property hotspot’ to be a place where there is a high demand for homes too.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Seacroft in Leeds claimed ninth place on the top ten list.
The data shows the average house price in Seacroft to be £218,893 with a 9% increase since January 2025.
Taking the top spot is Hawick, in Roxburghshire, that saw average asking prices rise by as much as 18% in 2025, reaching £148,633. Scotland features strongly overall, with three locations appearing in the top 10.
Durham nabbed second place, with average asking prices up 15% year on year to £251,339, whilst Stannington in Sheffield completes the top three, with prices up 12% to £264,078.
Lesley Robinson, branch manager at Manning Stainton Crossgates, adds: “Seacroft has seen notable growth in asking prices over the past year, reflecting a wider trend we’re observing across more affordably priced areas in Leeds.
"Buyers are increasingly drawn to locations that offer strong transport links and easy access to the city centre, and Seacroft fits that profile.”
Behind the doors of this ‘charming’ old doctor’s surgery in Harewood on the market for £1.6 million
Clementine Hall
Fancy a look inside this beautiful former doctors house in the heart of Harewood?
Silly question, of course you do.
The only thing is, you'll need a spare £1.6 million before you can call it your own...but it doesn't hurt to have a look, does it?
Take a look behind this charming front door of what is, by far, one of the finest properties the Leeds housing market has to offer at the moment.
Images: Right Move/ North Residential
This Georgian family home features an impressive 6000 sq ft of accommodation as well as one of the most beautiful gardens we've ever seen.
I mean, how often do you have your own weeping willow tree in your front porch?
The house dates back to the late 1700’s and was once a former doctor’s surgery, but now it stands as one of the fanciest and most prestigious homes in Harewood.
Images: Rightmove / North Residential
We're already obsessed with the gorgeous stone and perfectly manicured landscape, but it's just as exciting when you take a look through the adorable sage green door.
The interior is giving cottage core but in the best way possible, we're talking plenty of wooden beams, solid oak flooring, original windows and of course a big fat AGA.
There's a whopping six bedrooms and three bathrooms (all featuring a sexy big bath), but the grounds are what really give this place the hefty price tag.
Images: Right Move/ North Residential
The listing itself states: "With its unique and private plot and rural walks on your doorstep, The Old Surgery provides a rare opportunity to enjoy tranquil village living, yet within striking distance to the hustle and bustle, in a home that is steeped in superb history."
Yep, we couldn't have put it better ourselves.
To have a proper nosey, take a look at the listing here.
Sophie Smith -
17th March 2022 
