10 September 2026
Cooking School in North Yorkshire stately home offers ‘fantastic business opportunity’ for ambitious chefs to ‘create something special’
A dedicated cookery school set in a North Yorkshire country home has become available to rent – offering a ‘fantastic business opportunity’ for an ambitious chef to ‘create something special’
Based in Carlton Towers stately home and heritage estate, the school, which comes with a fully equipped Chef’s Kitchen and eight cooking stations, is based in space formally used by household staff and the housekeeper, in the main house.
Carlton Towers, near Selby, is the family home of Lord and Lady Gerald Fitzalan Howard, who have established the venue as a sought-after wedding and function location with accompanying guest rooms.
On the market for £15,000 plus VAT rental per year, the cookery school offers a ‘unique opportunity’, says Andrew Spencer, of Barry Crux & Company.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for the right person, most likely a chef with the vision to create something really special given the wonderful surroundings, or maybe a chef who is keen to move away from the demands of busy commercial restaurant service,” said Mr Spencer.
“A strong and consistent business could be created in superb surroundings by offering a premium service to customers.”
Opportunity needs to be seen to appreciate fully
Mr Spencer says the cookery school – and surroundings – has to be seen to fully appreciate the opportunity it offers.
It includes a central island work surface and eight work stations, all equipped with an induction hob and ample prep space. Further base and wall units are fitted around the perimeter of the room, with six ovens and accompanying fridges.
Directly adjacent are two further rooms, including the former housekeeper’s sitting room which is ideal for guests to convene at the start and conclusion of any course, and to take breaks.
A dining room provides space for guests to sit down and sample the results of their work at the end of the course.
Opposite the kitchen are the former pantry and prep areas, fitted in a period style., which it may also be possible to use.
“The school was established by the owners some time ago but has never really been operated on a consistent basis, so they are looking to secure a leaseholder who can make a success of it with their support.
“It really is a unique business opportunity that needs to be seen to appreciate the full offering. The location is stunning, within the main house, a listed Victorian Gothic country house surrounded by a 250-acre park.
“The house itself has become a successful venue for visitors in its own right, used for weddings, private hire and corporate events, and so there is a potential customer market already in place.
“I can see this being a huge success under the leadership of the right person – perhaps even a celebrity chef. It’s the ideal setting to create something special.”
For further details and viewings contact Andrew Spencer on andrew@barrycrux.co.uk or 07940 481877, or view here
