Brian page on an historic period cottage that has passed the test of time – and another pretty pair of rural treasures.

NOW, here’s one of those not a lot of people know that moments...

Apparently, back in the day, long before the invention of clocks, sundials were originally used by clergyman in order to be able to keep the time of services for both themselves and their flock.

Well, there would be no excuse for missing church if you lived in Seaton Ross – for the village has three important sundials.

The largest and most impressive of which adorns the frontage of Dial Cottage, a very pretty property in the centre of this East Yorkshire village, a short trip away from Pocklington.

“It is a very unusual property,” say the team from Chris Clubley’s office with a fine display of understatement. (After all, how many homes have 12ft diameter sundial on their front wall?) In fact, the sundial is reputed to be one of the largest in the country and, as chronicled in Malcolm Young’s 2004 portrait of Seaton Ross, it was put in place sometime during the 1850s, apparently by a clock repairer as an advertisement for his business.

Unlike a lot of clocks and watches, we have experienced, the sundial appears to have passed the test of time. As has the wonderful Dial Cottage itself...

An 18th century country cottage, it looks pretty as a picture from the outside and has a lovely character feel inside. There is plenty of it, with the ground floor boasting an airy lounge and a well-fitted, attractive dining kitchen, utility hall, fourth bedroom or playroom and a study.

Upstairs, there are three bedrooms, a bathroom and a shower room. Lots of room outside, too where the house sits on around a third of an acre with the grounds including lawns, trees and shrubs and a further garden area and a range of outbuildings.

“A gardener’s paradise,” is how the Chris Clubley team see it... a character-filled and highly- individual home is how we would put it.

The asking price is £335,000 and interested parties should contact the Chris Clubley Pocklington office on 01759 304040.

And, as we are on the subject of country cottages, we thought we would introduce you to Gate Helmsley House Cottage at, well, Gate Helmsley.

This is another super property and at a competitive price. It’s a period piece which has been skilfully refurbished and improved, retaining many traditional character features while having plenty of contemporary comforts.

What’s more, it has brilliant rural views, a fact which is highlighted in the property particulars which report the owner’s comment that “the location was particularly appealing with uninterrupted views of fields and woodlands”.

Cannily, the layout of the house has been arranged to make the most of those views with the main house living room being on the first floor (and a really cosy and comfortable living room it is).

There are also two bedrooms and a house bathroom on this level, while there is a further double bedroom to the second floor.

Meanwhile, on the ground floor, you have a large open-plan entrance hall, kitchen breakfast room and pantry and dining room.

Handsome outside, handsome inside, definitely a property to take a look at if you fancy rural living yet still having easy commuting routes into York and Stamford Bridge.

The price, as we said, is very competitive, at £237,500. Contact Hudson Moody’s Dunnington office on 01904 489906.

And, just to make a crowd of three, here’s one more rural offering, this time from RM English.

It’s Ivy Barn in South Lane, Thornton Dale, near Pickering.

“Picture postcard exterior,” is how the brochure describes the outlook on this one – and the inside is also pretty attractive, offering “contemporary, relaxed rural living”. Among the character highlights here are cruck and beam timbers alongside modern oak beams, inglenook fireplaces and windows carefully placed to make the most of the views.

The original cow barn and stables from which the property is formed date back to the early 1500s and were first converted in 1996.

In 2010 the present owner set about improving and refurbishing the house – and has made a very nice job of it...

We liked the flowing layout to this home with a superb farmhouse kitchen at the centre of the house with dining room to one side and lounge/sitting room to the other. (There is also a shower room on this ground floor).

Above, there are three bedrooms and a house bathroom and an enormous fourth bedroom or office/hobby room. Add an integral garage and gravelled courtyard and you have a very attractive package which is offered by RM English at a guide price of £385,000. Telephone 01904 697900.