Our House: Inside the home of Huddersfield’s aristocracy

Nov 10 2009 By Emma Davison

HERE is a chance to own a breathtaking slice of Huddersfield’s history.

Blake Lea house in Marsden is a home with aristocratic connections – and it is right on the National Trust’s doorstep.

The stunning property, tucked away in a secluded spot is the Yorkshire home of Lord Dartmouth – a man with royal connections who is moving south to pursue political ambitions.

The Colne Valley landowner fell in love with the house while looking for a base in the area 20 years ago.

He enlisted interior designers to bring the 200-year-old country pile up to date while maintaining its character.

Lord Dartmouth’s family have a long-standing history in the Huddersfield area and he was keen to set up home there.

He said: "My family used to own Woodsome Hall – which is now the golf course – and that came into the family in the 18th century through marriage to Elizabeth Kaye.

"The Kayes go back to time immemorial and founded King James’s School. The family have been in the area for quite some time and still own quite a lot of land.

"I wasn’t brought up here but did spend a lot of time at the family estate in Slaithwaite. I was definitely keen to return to my roots and have a base in the area."

The peer and politician, who is the 10th Earl of Dartmouth, spent much of his life in London and overseas but made a big impact on the Huddersfield area.

His Slaithwaite-based company, West Riding Cable, was behind an innovative multi-million pound bid to provide Kirklees with cable television.

He was also a member of Huddersfield University’s governing body.

As he was spending more time in the area, Lord Dartmouth started looking for a base close to the family estate.

"Marsden was ideal for me as it’s close to Slaithwaite, he said.

"It’s also a very pretty village. People think of Last of the Summer Wine as being filmed in Holmfirth but much is filmed in Marsden and you can see why as it’s so beautiful.

"I was staying at the Hey Green Hotel and saw this house nearby with a ‘for sale sign’. It had marvellous views and was absolutely perfect for what I wanted."

The double fronted stone-built house is believed to be a couple of hundred years old.

It had laid derelict until 30 years ago, when a previous owner had a completely new home built behind the old facade.

Lord Dartmouth, a member of the late Princess Diana’s extended family, says: "It had all the modern conveniences, but still had that very pretty outside.