“ONE of the finest houses in Yorkshire” has gone on sale with a price tag in the region of £6 million.

Grantley Hall, which lies five miles west of Ripon, is a Grade II-listed mansion dating back to the 17th century, boasting 32,000 sq ft of internal floor space and 30 acres of wooded parkland and grounds.

The sale is being marketed by DHP Croft, which has an office in Swinegate, York, and Strutt & Parker, and could lead to the creation of a new hotel and spa for North Yorkshire as the property comes complete with outlline planning permission.

Toby Cockcroft, the agent handling the sale at DHP Croft, said: “This is probably one of the finest houses in Yorkshire, situated in its own little microclimate just outside of Ripon. It has a unique opportunity to be transformed into a hotel and spa as well as the remodelling of the constitutional Ellis Building.”

Mr Cockcroft confirmed offers in the region of £5 millon to £6 million are being invited.

Grantley Hall was built in the 17th century as a private residence for the Grantley family.

The impressive property reached the size it is today following extention projects in the 18th and 19th centuries. The house has enjoyed a colourful history which saw it used as a convalescent home during the Second World War.

After that, Grantley Hall was purchased by West Riding County Council and was used between 1947 and 1974 as an adult education residential college. Remaining in local authority ownership the property was then owned by North Yorkshire County Council which ran it as a training and conference centre.

Going full circle, Grantley Hall was transformed back into a private residence after being bought in 2006.

Four years later it was bought by its current owner, with the intention of creating a hotel and spa. Planning permission was granted, however business ventures in Scotland and the USA have meant the owner can no longer see the project through.

The planning permission granted allows Grantley Hall to be transformed into a 50-bedroom hotel, with conference facilities in the stable block and a new 1,200 st ft new- build spa with swimming pool, treatment rooms, gym and café.

Grantley Hall sits on an artificial island created by the canalisation of the River Skell, for which the property has fishing rights.