Hidden away within the privacy of its gardens, many of us will have driven past this incredibly grand home without even realising what we have missed.
This Victorian home is likely to have been built towards the end of the 19th Century and from the first moment our team viewed it with the current owners Colin and Kathryn we were in love!
Officially a terrace property, this elegant home offers a living space comparable to the size of a large detached house. This has some great perks, the main one being the price tag as if this house were detached the asking price would be considerably higher. As Colin and Kathryn confirmed, the house may as well be detached as the thickness of the old walls cocoons you from its neighbouring properties.
A few minutes’ walk from Holmfirth’s ever-growing centre, you can be drinking fresh coffee from Bloc in a matter of moments.
We revisited Kathryn and Colin to delve further into the real history of this home:
How long have you lived at number 76?
Over 35 years, we were searching for a home when we were getting married and haven’t looked back since
Why did you buy this house, what were its main draws?
We did know of these houses and they had been in our sights without any expectation that any of them might actually become available (there are only three of them), but this one did.
Victorian properties had fallen out of favour at the time, but we loved its original features, which added so much character and elegance. The house also offered a tremendous amount of space for the money - as indeed it still does. We had no children then, but we saw that it would clearly make a fabulous family home, as it duly did when our family arrived. The wonderful cellars offered all sorts of possibilities with room for such things as a workshop, a gym, a games room, a music room etc
What do you know about the history of the building?
We have been told that it was constructed around 1865 but it is more likely to have been towards the end of the 19th Century. The house is one of a row of three and we understand that the whole row was built for the three children of a local mill-owner. The houses used to inter-connect so it does appear probable that they were originally occupied by members of the same family. The fact that someone wealthy built the houses would account for their beautiful features.
Which part of the house is your favourite space and why?
We would have to say the sitting room, with its splayed bay window. The room faces due South and on sunny days the light floods in through the bay window - hence the warm but cheerful decoration scheme we adopted. It's just a lovely room to spend time in, by day or at night. The view out of the bay window is lovely too.
What will you miss the most about the house when the property sells?
Well it will clearly be a wrench to leave after 35 years, having raised our children and spent many very happy times here. The dining room has been heavily used and we've particularly loved evenings around the dining table with friends and family. The house is too big for us now, although not having so much space and so many rooms for visitors might just be the single thing, we'll miss most of all, although the ease of access to Holmfirth and our wonderful garden will also be contenders on the ‘miss list’.
You’ve obviously renovated the whole house over the years, what was the biggest and toughest job?
That's difficult to say. The property was always structurally sound but it was cosmetically tatty when we bought it. Paint and wallpaper hadn't been stripped off since the house was built - about 100 years previously. The kitchen and bathroom needed replacing too (we've been here so long that they've since been done again!).
The place is in pretty good shape all round now. But I'd have to say that the biggest project was creating the rear garden after we were able to buy the plot of land behind the house. This has been Kathy's domain and she's created a fantastic garden out of what was effectively a small field. It's a lovely space in which to spend time.
What edible goodies do you grow in your garden?
All sorts! It's changed over the years but this year there are various salad crops and veggies like courgettes, cucumbers, tomatoes and beans, and always lots of herbs, plus soft fruits such as strawberries and redcurrants.
See full property particulars of this beautiful home on our website: http://applegateprop2019.iomart.thepropertyjungle.com/property-details/101343002864/kirklees/holmfirth/greenfield-road?page=1&instruction_type=Sale&showstc=on
