Although Gary Hird had lived in Wyke all his life he never knew of the existence of this charming property tucked away down a private road - built as testimony to a Victorian factory owner's success.

"I do remember glancing through a history of Wyke, written by a local historian, before I bought Sellerdale Hall," he says. "I think it was built in around 1840, and it was added to the original cottage that was here.

"The hall was built by Arthur Sellers, who had a mill here which I think made steel nails to hold wool bales together. He was successful in his business and I suppose he built the hall to show how prosperous he was. You can still see Arthur and Caroline Sellers' initials etched in the glass on one of the front doors."

Sellerdale Hall is an impressive home, choc-a-bloc with striking features, comprising five bedrooms, three reception rooms, two bathrooms and a dining kitchen.

"It also has a secret room. Well it's not really a secret," Gary laughs. "But it is intriguing. Behind a sliding door in the kitchen is a flight of stairs leading to a room with exposed beams, which would make an ideal study or playroom. It's actually part of the cottage.

"It was the space that attracted me to the hall. There's acres of it, with plenty of storage. In fact there's so much that it's easy to forget where you've put something.

"Since I moved in I've had a new kitchen fitted with a range of farmhouse style units, a built-in oven, hob and extractor, plus there's plumbing for a washing machine and dishwasher. I discovered that the original beams had been plastered over, so I had all that removed. Now it's a lovely space with plenty of room for a dining table.

"When it comes to the work that's been done in the house, I did all the grunt' work and then called in the professionals to finish the job, and it worked quite well. I've restored some of the original internal shutters, on the sash windows, many of which were nailed shut."

Like many homes of this age, they have been continually added to over the years, using the style of the day. Hence some of the windows differ in style and the impressive fire surround in the spacious lounge is in an art deco style.

"There's also space for an open fire or wood burner in the inglenook in the dining room, plus another impressive fire surround in the sitting room. Open fires do make the house very cosy in winter," Gary says.

"In one of the rooms I found the original window casing around the window reveals, which were covered with hardboard. All they needed was cleaning up."

The house is full of character features like the ornate cornicing and ceiling rose, which differ from room to room, although there is a continual theme throughout the hall.

"My favourite room is, I think, the dining room, because of the ornate plaster work on the ceiling. It took me a long while to get it the way I wanted it."

There are two bathrooms, one upstairs and one down. Gary put a new fitted suite in the upstairs bathroom with a corner bath.

The upstairs landing definitely evokes the grandeur of a bygone era with its dark wood panelled walls and large arched window with coloured and etched glass. In typical Georgian style, they've used borrowed light' upstairs by fitting a stained glass effect roof light. Four of the five bedrooms are doubles, and one has a cast iron effect fireplace.

"I'm going to miss the space I have," Gary adds. "It's a great home for entertaining. We always hold family get-togethers here because there's plenty of room for people to stay over."

Leading to the four properties in this quiet little backwater is an illuminated driveway, which not only carries the name of the house but is also owned by Gary.

As well as a single garage, the property has a pleasant garden area. "I am no great shakes as a gardener, but the hall felt quite closed in because of all the mature trees and shrubs, so I cut them back and planted a few new things."

Sellerdale Hall, Westfield Lane, Wyke, is for sale for OIRO £375,000 with Robert Watts, Wibsey, (01274) 601119