Period property in Bingley is full of charm

This is a home with a charming history, which was built around 1920 by an army officer with two daughters who lived further along the drive.

He also built one next door for his second daughter, and at the back of each house there was a door leading from each of the bay windows in the living rooms out to a little gate between the two properties so that the sisters could talk to each other.

The current owners were working in Leeds six years ago when they were house hunting, and came across this house quite by chance.

“We were driving around places on the train line and because there are regular trains on the Aire Valley line, we drove up Cottingley Drive because it looked pretty.

“Spotting a ‘for sale’ sign that the previous owners had put up themselves, we parked outside. The garden was beautiful and the house itself looked full of character.

When they called the owner, they learned that the previous owners had lived there for 40 years. The lady used to walk past the house when she was a young girl and dreamed of living there and after it came up for sale, snapped it up.

“We got on so well with the previous owners, when someone offered more money for the property than we did, they sold it to us because they could see how much we loved the house, which we felt very much at home in.

“When we walked in the house we were struck by how much it felt like a home. It had four bedrooms and a very warm feel, and the Aga made the kitchen feel very welcoming.

“Because the house is situated on the corner plot on a private no-through road, it’s very peaceful and private. We also love the style of the rooms, the living room in particular has an arts and crafts style fireplace and the bay windows let in a lot of light.”

Over the years, the owners have completely redecorated the property, installing a new bathroom suite with handmade cabinetry, underfloor heating and wall and floor tiling, and extending the property to include a large entrance way which is effectively the boot room as well as adding a new cloakroom downstairs in what was the old stone pantry.

“We have also extended, designed and installed a handmade wood dining kitchen and redesigned the utility room.”

The dining room and hallway interior was stripped out and artex walls and old floors have been replaced with new plaster and coving, together with a solid oak parquet floor.

The fireplace was also removed and replaced with a gas-fired wood-style burner and a handmade stone surround designed by the owners.

The decoration throughout the house makes use of 1920s-style patterns and colouring with William Morris wallpaper in the hallway and Cole and Son wallpaper in the dining room.

“We have also spent a lot of time changing the garden and have recently put in new stone walls, paths and a fence. All of this was done by our neighbour along the road – Richard Breese Landscapes – which was handy!

“One of the great things about the road is that it is private and there is a residents association which meets to discuss issues regarding the road. These range from organising the bi-annual road clean-up (which involves the residents getting together to pick up the leaves in autumn or cut back the bushes on the road in spring) to organising a street party for the Queen’s jubilee.

“Our favourite room is the kitchen because its where we all congregate as a family after school and work. There is a large butler’s cupboard which provides additional work surface and has folding doors so this can be hidden away.

“The original kitchen had an Aga and we couldn’t do without one now, so we replaced the old Aga with a reconditioned one. We cooked for ten people on Christmas Day last year with it with great success! The kitchen includes a dishwasher and a wine cooler with a tall larder fridge. The utility room has also been redesigned to include a Miele washing machine and freezer.

“We love being in the garden which has different areas. We tend to eat outside and barbecue at the top of the garden which is close to the house, but we spend a lot of time in the bottom area of the garden with the kids.”

“The best thing is it’s a homely house – we all love the open fire in the lounge which helps make it so. We’ll miss most the location – easy access to Bingley and Leeds, yet on a quiet and safe road with friendly neighbours.”