Remote ex-railway worker’s cottage dubbed Britain’s ‘loneliest house’ has £50k slashed off price 

A remote cottage dubbed one of Britain’s loneliest houses has had its asking price slashed by £50,000 because it is so remote no-one has snapped it up.

Number 3 Blea Moor Cottages is in one of the most far-out parts of the Yorkshire Dales and prospective buyers must walk for 20 minutes to get there from the parking area.

The property was originally listed by agents Fisher Hopper last summer for £300,000 but due to its unique location, it has struggled to sell and has had its asking price reduced to £250,000.

The cottage needs complete renovation and is somewhat rustic with paint peeling from the walls, signs of damp and holes in the floor.

But it does sit on the Three Peaks Challenge route as well as the Settle to Carlisle Railway, so it might suit trainspotters.

One of Britain’s loneliest houses has seen its asking price slashed by £50,000

Number 3 Blea Moor Cottages is in one of the most far-out parts of the Yorkshire Dales

The 1940’s former railway worker’s cottage is one of a row of three but the others have been demolished.

Its postal address is Chapel-le-Dale, a hamlet in the civil parish of Ingleton, North Yorkshire.

It is 12 miles from the town of Hawes and seven miles to Ingleton.

It was built by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, who ran the nearby Settle to Carlisle line, and is next to the Blea Moor signal box, the most isolated in England that Network Rail still staffs.

It has a store room, kitchen, pantry, living room and hall downstairs and three double bedrooms with a bathroom leading from one of them.

A description on Rightmove from agents Fisher Hopper reads: ‘Exciting renovation project in a stunningly beautiful location.

‘Three Bleamoor Cottages is a former railway worker’s home situated on the main hiking path up Whernside, in the Yorkshire Dales.

‘Adjacent to the famous Settle to Carlisle railway line above Ribblehead, the property presents an interesting investment, with a range of potential commercial opportunities apparent: private holiday home; unique AirBnB style experience; bunkhouse or refreshment stop on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge route.

Prospective buyers need to walk 20 minutes to get to the house from the parking spot 

The property needs a lot of work – it requires a complete renovation 

Rusty kitchen cupboards seen with rustic walls that need painting 

Photographs show signs of damp in the property on the walls – here the kitchen is pictured

Walls peeling and dust on the floor as the home is for sale with the view of renovating 

A description on Rightmove from agents Fisher Hopper reads: ‘Exciting renovation project in a stunningly beautiful location’

The description adds: ‘The property presents an interesting investment, with a range of potential commercial opportunities apparent’ 

The cottage will have a high footfall however – 200,000 people attempt the Three Peaks Challenge each year, with many others tackling the Whernside mountain alone

The property has stunning views of the Yorkshire Dales which can be seen from many of the windows

Three Bleamoor Cottages is a former railway worker’s home on the main hiking path up Whernside

Because the house needs extensive work, it is not known how kitchen fitters and other utility providers would access the property

The house was previously owned by reclusive John Myerscough

A map showing the location of Number 3 Blea Moor Cottages in the Yorkshire Dales 

‘Plans will be subject to the necessary consents – this is in the heart of the National Park – but for the right buyer with vision, there is great potential here.’

And it adds: ‘Due to the unusual nature of the location, interested parties are advised that it is a 20 minute walk from the parking at Ribblehead Viaduct to reach this property.’

Parking is at nearby Ribblehead Viaduct, 26 miles south east of Kendal.

However the 20 minutes can also be done by 4X4 or quad bike.

It will also cost the new owner £125 a year for vehicle access.

The house was previously owned by reclusive John Myerscough. He used a windmill and generator for power, Calor Gas cylinders for cooking, a stove for heat and had water transported to the house by trailer.

There was no mains sewage, but instead septic tank which has since been disconnected.

Because the house needs extensive work, it is not known how kitchen fitters and other utility providers would access the property.

The cottage will have a high footfall however – 200,000 people attempt the Three Peaks Challenge each year, with many others tackling the Whernside mountain alone.