Home of Distinction: Charming cottage in a beautiful spot

Margaret and Terry Pollard started married life in 1966 opposite the cottage they were eventually to buy 11 years ago – a property which although it is more than 130 years old has never been on the market.

“We have always known of the cottage as we have always lived in Thackley. It’s the last one of a row of cottages built for Brackendale Spinning Mill in around 1876,” says Margaret.

Double fronted, the house was owned by the mill until it was bought by the managing director in about the early 1970s. When his widow was taken ill and left the house, Terry and Margaret asked the family if it would be coming up for sale.

“To cut a long story short, the cottage never went on the market and the family waited until we had sold our own property.

“The wow factor for us were the views, the position close to the canal and the river, the woods and the duck pond. It’s so very quiet.”

It certainly is in a beautiful spot – set at the end of a quiet lane which used to service the mills and with views from the conservatory over the valley to Baildon, while the front of the cottage overlooks Buck Woods.

“The canal is five minutes’ walk down the lane and we have ducks and herons flying over every day.”

The cottage has lots of original features. For instance, take a look around the garden shed and you’ll fine the original pipes for the water supply for the mill, although obviously they have long been disconnected.

Since moving in the Pollards have totally refurbished the building.

The ceilings in two bedrooms were lowered and re-plastered. The house was re-wired and a new combi boiler installed.

“We have a Rayburn Royal (made by Aga) which has had new parts, and a new kitchen with exposed brickwork. There’s also a new bathroom, new double glazed windows, a carbon fibre roof on the conservatory.

What you find in an old house can be quite serendipitous. For instance when they uncovered the inglenook fireplace in the lounge.

“ I was on leave from work so I used to knock the bricks off the chimney breast and we found the recessed fireplace with the huge stone lintel above – when Terry came home from work I used to look just like a chimney sweep covered in soot.

“The same thing happened in the kitchen when I was knocking the tiles off the wall and again found a stone lintel and brickwork which we left exposed.”

A wood burning stove was installed in the lounge with stainless steel liner, plus a new fireplace in the dining room.

As well a new front door, a new roof was installed on the utility room, together with new units, and the house has been newly decorated throughout.

At the end of all their hard work they have a charming home with an entrance hall with sitting/dining room, lounge leading to the conservatory, dining kitchen, utility and WC. Upstairs there are three double bedrooms plus a shower room/WC.

“Our favourite rooms are the lounge and the conservatory which leads off the lounge, and the dining room which is great for entertaining and family gatherings. In winter the lounge is really cosy with the wood burning stove.”

The work didn’t stop outside, with the creation of three new cottage gardens with lots of roses, perennial plants and French conifer edgings.

“We use the garden a lot in summer as it gets the sun and it’s a real sun trap.”

Undoubtedly this is a cottage with a wide appeal. Ideal for a young family or a retired or professional couple. You could simply move in an enjoy the cottage and its idyllic surroundings. Like being in the country but with all the amenities within a short walk.

The couple know why they’ve loved living there.

“The location and good neighbours are the things we will miss most about the house, as well as the views and the tranquility.”