Sylvia Wilson, who lives at Piper’s Acre, has often thought of inviting The House Detectives to unravel the story of the historic street where she has lived for the past ten years.

“It is in Bingley’s conservation area, which has links with the Knights Templar,” she says. “Piper’s Acre refers to the land between the church and the river, and has been retained by previous owners.

“The story is that a talented piper or minstrel used to visit the Old White Horse at the end of Old Main Street, and, in accordance with the law of the time, was obliged to move on after a few days. “A local landowner so enjoyed his music that he gave him this plot of land – hence the name Piper’s Acre. I think the fact that God’s Acre is on the other side of the road may have had something to do with it.”

Built in the 1840s between two existing homes, this property is one of the newer buildings on the street.

“There are blocked-up mullioned windows on either side from the other properties in the street,” Sylvia says. “It also includes what were the washhouses for the road, now converted into my living room, and it’s own landing stage.”

Listed as Grade II ‘by attachment’, when she first saw the house she thought the facade was rather unprepossessing.

“But the ‘wow’ factor grew as I went through it, especially when I got to the sitting room which looks out over the river.”

The ‘by attachment’ proviso means that the house next-door is of primary importance but, as a terraced property, can’t really be separated.

“Quirky is the best word to describe the house, because nothing is what you expect,” Sylvia says. “I think the facade gives a slightly false impression of what you find inside. If you go through the living room and kitchen, and then down some steps, there is a totally unexpected multi-windowed sitting room overlooking the river, with French doors into the garden.”

Full of character, the house has an unusual number of doors, including cupboards built in to the thickness of the walls, and many of the rooms having ceiling beams.

On the ground floor is a dining room/reception with bow window and tiled hearth, fitted kitchen with cooker hood, sitting room with polished wood fire surround and a second hallway leading to the garden and inner courtyard, as well as a utility room/cloakroom and cellar.

Upstairs, the bedrooms are surprisingly spacious, especially that on the second floor, which runs the length of the house, and there is a bathroom with shower over the bath.

Since moving in, Sylvia has had central heating installed, the house has been rewired, she has opened up the cellar and installed a new bathroom and utility room.

Sylvia found it difficult to choose her favourite room, but said: “The sitting room is light and airy, with wonderful views of the garden and the river with its wildlife.

“The garden is like an extra room in the summer. It’s private, sheltered and, because it faces south-west, is a real suntrap. I keep it well stocked and fertile, so it just needs regular maintenance and occasional restocking. I’ve also had a greenhouse installed and a footpath for easier access to the landing stage.”

There can’t be many people who own a home with a landing stage, but while Sylvia has always intended to get a boat, she has never got around to it.

“The previous owner had one and there is a history of boats for hire along this side of the river, which can be seen on old postcards of Bingley. “Apart from the pleasure of living in such a quirky house, the best thing about living here is the convenience. It is close to shops, buses and the station, which is just a five-minute walk, yet you can walk out of the door and access miles of countryside walks along the river, canal and St Ives.”

  • Piper’s Acre, Old Main Street, Bingley, is on the market for £250,000 with Rentons Countrywide, Bingley. Tel: (01274) 565133