Three Dales cottages to do-up

I'm taking you to the Yorkshire Dales today. That place of TV vets and sheep farmers and undulating landscapes. 

And a sort of Russian Doll set of houses, going up from one to three bedrooms (debatable on the three) and with similarly escalating levels of work to do. 

Let's start with our largest 'doll', this three-bedroom detached house in the village of Carthorpe, around five miles from the town of Bedale and a mile or so from the A1. Carthorpe itself is pretty tiny - a pub, a chapel, a community hall and a weekly visit from a post office van. 

Some work has clearly begun on renovating Ashlea House and I very much sympathise with whoever has been spending their weekends with that temporary kitchen and jerry-rigged bath. There are few things more wonderful than reaching the point in a big renovation project when you've got a proper working hot shower. 

The house currently has two reception rooms, kitchen and utility space downstairs, with two entrances - a front door straight into the living room and a more sensible side door into a hall. Upstairs are three bedrooms, one of which has the bath in it and potential to subdivide to create a bathroom.

Outside is the front garden, a lovely enclosed yard and a side drive/lane leading to a separate outbuilding/garage that you won't want to keep.

On the market through agents J. R. Hopper at offers over £250k - more pictures on their site here and on Rightmove here.

Out next doll, is this supremely sweet two-bedroom end of terrace in Garsdale which, strictly speaking, isn't in the Yorkshire Dales having been snaffled by Cumbria in 1974.

Garsdale is more a location than a village; a collection of farms and houses scattered around the spectacular hills and fells, around eight miles from Hawes. Garsdale has its own train station, thanks to the hard work of elderly railway activists and one heartrendingly loyal dog, Ruswarp.

The house at 1 North View has two reception rooms, kitchen, and separate loo downstairs, two bedrooms and bathroom (yay!) upstairs. 

It's on the dated rather than derelict side of the renovation coin, but the dated is its cute factor. There's a garage and off-road parking but no garden (not that you need one, given the views). Interestingly, its modernised if duller next-door neighbour is also up for sale, so potential for two homes into one? 

Both are being sold via 'modern method of auction' with a guide price of £110k. I hate the modern auction thing personally, possibly the worst thing estate agents have introduced into the renovation market. It secures a bigger, faster payoff for agents but chucks even costs and risk at the buyers. Talk to them about what it would take to simply accept a sensible offer instead.

On the market through J.R Hopper more details, video and pictures on their site here, and on Rightmove here.

And, finally our smallest (yet priciest) doll - this one-bedroom cottage in the very pretty village of Hebden, a walkable two miles from Grassington and 11 from Skipton.

Pinfold Cottage is just 42 sqm, with two rooms downstairs - a large living/everything room and a tiny kitchen, and a bedroom and good-size bathroom upstairs.

Outside (and across a cute little lane) is a parking area, garden (abutting the beck), and stone-built store.

On the market at a fraction under £260K (recently reduced) through Wilman and Lodge. Details and more pictures on their website here and on Rightmove here.