HE grew up used to village life with homes that spoke volumes of their past.
Lee Berry loved the idea of home with beams and a big old fireplace, so his luck came in when doing a deal on another house left him the proud owner of a 150-year-old cottage.
The 34-year-old said: “At the time I was waiting for a new house to be built in Birkby.
“I was selling my house to a couple, but they needed to sell theirs.
“Another couple wanted to buy their house so I bought their home to complete the chain and was paid the difference.
“Part exchanges are becoming more commonplace now and can be a great way of keeping the market moving.”
The grade II listed cottage Lee bought was in an older part of Honley, near to homes built in the 1700s.
Lee grew up in nearby villages and was aware of the superb character many of the properties had.
“As soon as I saw it I thought this was the kind of house I’d always wanted to live in.
“It had the kind of character I loved with all the great features.
“When I was a kid, my house had a proper fireplace – again something I’d always wanted – and this house had a fantastic one in the lounge.”
The two-bedroom cottage, set within a quaint courtyard setting in Hall Ing, is believed to be around 150 years old.
Lee, who owns a barber’s shop in Hade Edge, says: “It is very old and unlike the other homes I have lived in which have been more modern.
“But I have always had an interest in older properties and the shop I own has quite an interesting history.
“It was originally built as a chapel around 150 years ago and still has the original arched windows.
“It’s quite small as there weren’t many people living in the village at the time.”
Lee’s cottage is full of original features, which were not made the most of until the previous owners stepped in.
Lee said: “The couple did quite a bit of work to bring out the features of the cottage.
“They took the flooring up and exposed the stonework and really brought out the feature of the fireplace, which I believe had been covered over.
“They did a great job and the features show it off to effect.”
With its inglenook fireplace creating a cosy ambiance complete with beams and mullion window, the lounge is without doubt one of the cottage’s greatest assets.
Lee says: “It’s a great, really inviting room.
“The features make the cottage feel more genuine and the place definitely wouldn’t have felt right if these had been taken away and replaced with everything that was ultra-modern.”
The character is kept throughout the house, such as in the kitchen, where the exposed stone flooring and wall is teamed with traditional units and a Belfast sink.
For Lee another massive draw of the cottage is the location, with its picturesque country views.
“The setting is fantastic. It’s surrounded 360° by fields and there’s countryside walks on the doorstep.
“And with it you get the best of both worlds, because it feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere, yet is close enough to the centre of the village.”
Because the cottage was everything Lee had dreamed of in a property the plan had been to make it his home.
But then his plans changed when he met partner Claire and the couple wanted a bit more space for them and their three children.
Lee has been renting the cottage, but is hoping to sell it.
“I really did want to live in the house, but then my circumstances changed and we felt we needed something bigger.
“It’s the kind of house I’d always wanted and I’m sure it will make a great home for someone else.”
The house at 110 Hall Ing Lane, Hall Ing, Honley is on the market with Cornerstone estate agents. For a viewing call 01484 667850.
Price £108,995
Two bedroom grade II listed cottage
Packed full with character features, including a lounge with inglenook fireplace, stone floor beams and mullion windows
Picturesque views to front and rear
Countryside walks
