Business Details
Your Trusted Property Management Partner in Scarborough
The Dawnay Estates is a group of thriving rural businesses rooted in North Yorkshire's heritage. With estates under stewardship for over 300 years, we combine environmental responsibility with commercial innovation across 21,500 acres of land. Our operations span property management, agriculture, tourism attractions, and sporting enterprises, supporting over 60 permanent staff and numerous seasonal workers. The Wykeham Estate near Scarborough and Danby Estate near Whitby form our operational heartlands, housing diverse businesses from caravan parks to forestry.Our approach balances long-term land management with modern business practices, maintaining historic properties while delivering contemporary services. The Dawnay family's stewardship ensures continuity of care for this iconic Yorkshire landscape. Through strategic diversification, we sustain both economic viability and ecological preservation across generations.
Services
Commercial Property Rentals
Agricultural Management
Game Shooting
Tourism Attractions
Holiday Accommodation
Forestry Operations
Event Venues
Plant Nursery
Land Management
Wildlife Conservation
Highlights and features
- We have over 300 years of continuous stewardship of North Yorkshire's countryside
- Our estates combine commercial viability with environmental conservation practices
- We manage diverse rural enterprises across 21,500 acres of Yorkshire landscape
- Our team maintains historic properties while delivering modern business solutions
- We support local communities through tourism and agricultural operations
Services
Commercial Property Rentals
We provide converted agricultural buildings and modern commercial units near Scarborough. Our Wykeham Business Centre and Farfield Workspaces house over 35 businesses across 28 units. Properties range from workshops to retail spaces, supporting local commerce while maintaining rural character.
Game Shooting
Our estates offer premium shooting experiences across North Yorkshire. Wykeham Estate provides partridge and pheasant shooting, while Danby Estate features driven grouse shooting on 10,500 acres of moorland. We host international guests and local enthusiasts with full hospitality services included.
Tourism Attractions
North Yorkshire Water Park delivers aquatic and adventure activities including wakeboarding, aqua park, and escape rooms. St Helens Caravan Park offers AA Platinum-rated camping and touring facilities across 36 landscaped acres. Both attractions cater to family and group visitors year-round.
Agricultural Management
We farm 2,500 acres with modern precision agriculture techniques while managing 20 tenanted farms. Our operations include arable crops, livestock partnerships, and sustainable crop rotation systems. Technology integration improves yields while maintaining soil health and biodiversity.
Historic Property Management
Our portfolio includes 137 residential properties dating from pre-1900, maintained through continuous conservation programs. We preserve architectural character while modernising amenities, managing both short-term holiday lets and long-term residential tenancies across Wykeham and Ruston villages.
People
David Steel
Chief Executive
Overseeing estate operations with extensive rural management experience, David leads strategic direction while maintaining the Dawnay family's 300-year heritage in North Yorkshire land stewardship.
James Stephenson
Head of Property & Sporting
Managing commercial property and sporting enterprises, James combines modern business practices with traditional estate management to develop sustainable rural enterprises across both Yorkshire estates.
Rebecca Hall
Financial Controller
Rebecca oversees financial operations, ensuring economic viability across diverse business streams while maintaining investment in environmental conservation and property maintenance programs.
Katrina Shamel
Lettings Manager
Handling residential property management, Katrina maintains waiting lists and tenant relations for historic properties, balancing heritage preservation with modern living requirements in Wykeham village.
Peter Snaith
Head Keeper Danby Game
Peter manages grouse moors and shooting operations, maintaining habitat biodiversity while delivering premium sporting experiences on the 14,500-acre Danby Estate moorlands.
Questions
What types of properties do you manage?
We manage commercial units, residential properties dating from pre-1900, agricultural land, and tourism attractions across North Yorkshire.
How can I rent a property?
Contact our Lettings Manager with a completed Tenant Expression of Interest form to join our waiting list for residential properties.
Do you offer shooting experiences?
Yes, we provide partridge and pheasant shooting on Wykeham Estate, and driven grouse shooting on Danby Estate's 10,500-acre moorland.
What tourism attractions are available?
North Yorkshire Water Park offers water sports and adventure activities, while St Helens Caravan Park provides premium camping facilities.
How do you balance farming with conservation?
We use precision agriculture technology alongside traditional methods, maintaining biodiversity through habitat management and sustainable crop rotations.
What is your environmental policy?
Our approach combines commercial operations with environmental stewardship, preserving wildlife habitats and historic landscapes for future generations.
