A HOUSE has gone on sale in York for almost £3 million as the city’s property market continues to soar.

Clifton Lawn, a 'majestic' family home in Shipton Road, Clifton, dates back to 1858 and boasts five reception areas, five bedrooms, four 'opulent' bathrooms, an orangery, extensive cellars and a separate coach house, say estate agents Croft Residential.

There is also a separate coach house with its own kitchen, living room and mezzanine bedroom with bath.

The 3.4 acres of grounds includes a 'quite phenomenal' garden, with steps leading off the terrace to a large lawn flanked by well stocked beds and borders and pathways taking people down to a walled garden, orchard and paddock. "At night ,the garden comes to life via an incredible lighting system," says the firm.

"Clifton Lawn is without question one of the finest houses York has to offer. The mere fact that it comes with 3.4 acres of gardens and grounds and is only 0.5 mile from the city centre is a rarity in itself but couple that with in excess of 6,000 sq feet of internal space, an additional coach house, providing excellent ancillary accommodation and fixtures and fittings of the very highest order make it the complete package."

Toby Cockcroft, owner of Croft, said the price reflected supply and demand, with key factors including the close proximity of St Peter's School and Bootham School and of the city centre.

Land Registry figures show that the property sold for £1 million in 2004 and £2,050,000 in 2007.

News of the sale comes only weeks after another estate agency, Blenkin & Co, sold another house, Bishopsbarns in St George’s Place, just off Knavesmire and York Racecourse, for more than £2 million.

The firm said it was believed to be York's most expensive house, and also said top flight London buyers and buyers with an international portfolio were acquiring the best city town houses, with their invasion driving up prices, particularly at the high end of the market.

Only days before, York Central MP Rachael Maskell said in the Commons she did not want to see a future York with only wealthier people affording to live there, as she called for affordable social rented accommodation to be built on the York Central site.