It seems appropriate, having just enjoyed an Easter break, that we should return to work by telling the tale of Chapel House, a delightfully refurbished family home that, as its name implies, was once a place of worship.

It was built in 1927 as a Methodist church for the good folk of the splendid village of Welburn, tucked away in the countryside of the Howardian Hills. Designed in a restrained Gothic style, it served its congregation well until, in the 1990s, it became a private home.

We should give praise at this point to the clever way in which it was redesigned and refurbished, retaining many of the original features of the original chapel, including stained glass and high arched windows and pitched pine ceilings. In fact, it has become something of a treasure thanks to that imaginative restylying. On the ground floor there is a superb and spacious dining kitchen with double doors opening out on to a south-facing patio garden. The house’s three bedrooms are also found on this floor, all nice spacious rooms and with the master having an en-suite shower room and dressing room.

But it is the mezzanine level living area which is the real highlight here – a breathtaking, light and airy room which, at its widest, is 34ft long and some 23ft wide.

It has the original chapel arched ceilings with exposed beams and trusses, brilliant stained glass windows (as well as an array of Velux windows) and a solid wood floor.

It’s a fantastic space in what is a fantastic and highly individual home. What’s more, Welburn is one of the area’s prettiest villages and has a good range of amenities including a church, village hall, café and general store and a popular pub/restaurant.

All in all, a bit special, then. And it can be yours to rent for £995 a calendar month – contact Linley and Simpson.

It is actually a bit of a purple patch for special homes this week because we’ve discovered a series of other properties that have something of the wow factor about them – and all new to the market.

Take, for instance, a stunning, extended and recently renovated four/five bedroomed family house at York Road in Haxby which has just dropped onto the books of Martin & Co. It’s in an ideal spot for commuters while being close to all the many amenities of Haxby itself. On the ground floor it has an entrance hall, study/bedroom five, large through lounge with feature fireplace and patio doors to the garden – and a “sensational” kitchen/diner (with integral appliances and centre island); there is also a utility room, and ground floor cloakroom. Upstairs there is a superb master bedroom suite with Juliet balcony, dressing room and large bathroom with double shower.

There are a further two double bedrooms (with wardrobes), a single bedroom and a family bathroom. The package is completed by a large mature and private eastfacing garden with patio area, double garage and driveway parking. Martin & Co are asking for £1,395pcm.

Stephensons, meanwhile, can add to our special list with an extended period cottage in the pleasant village of Green Hammerton (a good spot for commuting to York, Harrogate and the A1). The highlights here are the large and stylish sitting room, a separate dining room and a dining kitchen well equipped with integrated appliances.

There are three double bedrooms, one with an en-suite shower room, and a family bathroom. Outside, you have attractive stone paved gardens and a garage.

Stephensons are asking for £950pcm.

Reeds Rains at Acomb have just taken on an impressive and well-presented semi in Thoresby Road. The wow factor here comes in the shape of a spacious open plan dining kitchen overlooking a good sized rear garden with patio area and lawn. There is a separate lounge with feature fireplace and three bedrooms and house bathroom. It will be available from early May at a rental of £650pcm.

Finally, here’s another property just arrived onto the rental market. On the books of Letters of Distinction, it is a ground floor apartment in St Chad’s Wharf, Bishopthorpe, an executive development set in landscaped gardens, and has stunning views of the river. On offer is a lounge with patio doors to make the most of those fabulous views, a fitted kitchen with white units and integrated appliances including gas hob, double electric oven, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer and dishwasher. The master bedroom has fitted wardrobes and an en-suite and there is a second double bedroom with fitted wardrobes and a family bathroom. You also get an allocated parking space. Letters of Distinction are asking for a rental of £875pcm.