I FELT a little like Doctor Who.

I had come to spend the night in the beautifully restored Gatehouse in the village of Bolton Percy in Yorkshire, nestling at the end of a row of cottages with a churchyard on one side and a village pub on the other.

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We took possession of the long key from the keeper and unlocked the double gate doors to enter another world.

There before us stood a high-oak frame with vertical panels made from wattle and daub; a natural plaster made from sand, earth and animal hair. The steep-pitched pantile roof rose two storeys. The first-floor level consisted of three bays which looked out over a central passage.

The Gatehouse is one of a stable of properties of the Vivat Trust, an active historic building preservation trust which rescues neglected buildings facing demolition.

This 15th-century building was restored last year under the loving supervision of project manager Alice Yates at a cost of £190,000. It was built by Thomas Pearson, who had held various positions within the church.

Many of Vivat's 22 historic properties are located in the most stunning parts of England and Scotland. They range from tiny romantic follies, sleeping just two, to a defensive tower for seven and a Scottish gentleman's residence that sleeps 14.

The restoration was no easy feat and workmen were delayed because of the need to rehouse bats that had taken up residence there. No doubt they chose the intricately carved foliage on the ceiling beams to hang off.

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The bats are long gone, as are the steel windows of the Seventies. In their place are diamond-leaded windows.

Lovely new oak gates dominate the front and there is a new kitchen and bathroom.

The beams have been cleaned up and the wooden staircase is the focus of the room. Instead of using the new kitchen we chose to dine at the Crown, a Sam Smith's hostelry just across the path. It was known as "the pub nobody knows" thanks to its out-of-the-way position.

We spent the night looking down from the bed in the upstairs room. The carvings on the internal beams apparently indicate the gatehouse's "high status" and imply it was used as more than a lookout post and may have offered accommodation for guests to the rectory.

We listened to the church bell ringing every hour and owls hooting. It was wonderfully eerie and snug.

The next morning we explored the surrounding area, stopping first for a meal at Ye Old Sun Inn at nearby Colton.

At York Marine boathouse we boarded a boat for the 50-minute chug up to York.

We spent a fantastic day there, including a visit to the famous Bettys Café Tea Rooms.

As evening fell we leisurely made our way back to our time machine. Nodding off in the darkness and quietness of the old refuge, one couldn't help wondering of ghosts past.

GETTING THERE:
Vivat Trust (0845 090 0194/ vivat-trust.org) offers three nights at the Bolton Percy Gatehouse from £426 (two sharing), self-catering. Price includes a welcome hamper including ingredients for supper, breakfast and a bottle of wine.
Welcome To Yorkshire: 01904 550099/yorkshire.com