After five years at the helm of Elm Crest guest house in Edgerton, Chas and Sue Henderson are planning to retire and move south to Northamptonshire.

Their guest house, in Queens Road, Edgerton, is a fine example of Grade 11 listed double-fronted gothic Victorian architecture dating back to 1864 and is laid out over five floors,

Chas said the couple would ideally like to see the building sold as a guest house but equally it would make a stunning home for a large family.

“We have been told – and I don’t know whether this is true or not – that this house saw the first discussions about the birth of rugby league during a dinner party. Then later it was talked about at The George Hotel, which is always traditionally credited as the home of rugby league,’’ he said.

The couple understand that the house was originally owned by a local mill owner, whose brother, another industrialist, lived next door.

Although the house appears detached, it is actually a semi, attached only by one small section wall to the house next door.

Chas and Sue took over the running of Elm Crest when they moved here from the Leicestershire town of Market Harborough. Now they want to return to the Leicestershire/Northamptonshire area to live closer to family.

During their time as hoteliers, they have welcomed visitors to Huddersfield from all over the world and provided accommodation for visitors to the town, business people, doctors, university professors etc.

The house itself, which stands in sizeable grounds including garden, a detached summer house and a gravelled parking area for guests, was originally established as a guest house 20 years ago and is a well known name in the Huddersfield area.

With seven en-suite bedrooms, including doubles, twins and singles, it is a house of two parts: one for guests and one for the living quarters of Chas and Sue.

All the guest bedrooms are on the first and second floors and there is a further apartment on the third floor which would be ideal for a teenage suite. There is also a dining room for guests on the ground-floor along with the owners breakfast kitchen, private lounge, office and lobbies, and spacious reception hall, which opens up from the stone-built portico entrance with tiled floor.

An elegant staircase with turned spindles leads to the first and second-floor bedrooms.

The house also has a lower ground-level, which includes more owner’s accommodation including an office, ironing room, double bedroom, en-suite and utility room, ideal for all the laundry which comes with a guest house.

Chas said: “It’s been a really interesting five years. We’ve welcomed people from all over the world and made lots of friends. The guest house is busy all year round, even at Christmas, and being close to the M62 and Huddersfield town centre, is ideal. It would be nice if it continued as a guest house but it could be a fabulous home for the right people.’’

Part of the charm of the property is the amount of original period fittings and fixtures which include several fireplaces, ceiling roses and ornate coving.

Some of the larger old houses in Edgerton which have been converted into flats have lost many original features. This house must be one of the best examples of a property which has retained its original charm and character features.

This is a fine example of a former mill owner’s home which is situated in a quiet residential street in Edgerton but close to local amenities.

The property is being marketed by Boultons estate agents 01484 515029.

PRICE: Offers in the region of £475,000.