Listed village cottage is full of charm and style

Steeped in history, this delightful and charming Grade II listed three bedroom cottage is set right in the heart of Wilsden.

“We fell in love with its character when we saw it,” say Richard and Karen Lee, who have lived there for ten years. “It was also a similar price to an average semi.”

Known as the Old Manor House, it is the oldest house in Wilsden. “We don’t know why it was given this name because from historical records this part of Wilsden was not a manor. The date stone on the porch shows that the Midgley family occupied the house in 1684, however, the building is thought to be about a hundred years older than this date.

“There are lots of stories surrounding the house. A sword which was found in the fireplace during earlier renovations is now in Cartwright Hall, and it thought to date back to the English Civil War.

“There is also a story about the stone flags in the porch, A long time again a man was found there dying from knife wounds and no matter how many times they were scrubbed the blood stains couldn’t be removed.

MORE FROM PROPERTY OF THE WEEK

“In Victorian times women had very small waists, but the one who escaped from her parents through a window at the front to get married had to have had a miniscule waist, as the window only measures 19 inches by 12 inches.

Listening to the owners it’s obvious to see how much they love the quirkiness and history of their home.

Offering an interior full of character, with ample room sizes throughout, the cottage is tastefully presented and well maintained.

Together with gas central heating there is a porch, hall, sitting room, kitchen, utility, downstairs shower room and WC, with three first floor bedrooms and a house bathroom on the first floor.

Outside is a garage with additional parking and a cottage garden.

The cottage has a number of attractive features - enough to delight anyone who loves period properties, such as the exposed stone wall in the entrance hall, while in the sitting room there are ceiling beams and an Inglenook fireplace incorporating a wood burning stove, which takes pride of place.

Off the lobby area is the dining kitchen, which although modern with its range of fitted wall and floor units, is still very much in keeping with the style of the cottage, with a quarry tiled flooring, beamed ceiling and wood work surfaces.

“The cottage is a bit like a Tardis. Bigger inside than it looks from the outside. There was an unused area between the kitchen and the garage which we made into a shower room and separate toilet and we also put in a new bathroom.

Upstairs, the landing wall is exposed stone with impressive beamed features to the ceiling.

Off the landing is the family bathroom with a while suite and three bedrooms, one with a wood fire surround and one with a mullion style window and a feature beam to the side wall.

“Our favourite room is the living room, which has an inglenook fireplace with a stove, and on cold winter nights is very cosy. We also love the kitchen which has a sunny aspect as is perfect for family dining.”

Outside is an integral garage with light and power, additional off street parking for one car and a small, mainly paved, cottage style garden area.

“There is a small paved area at the front of the house which we had flagged, and we had the railing replaced, as they were cut off during the Second World War.

“It’s all these details about the history that we are going to miss, and its uniqueness.”