As a piece of local railway history, this week’s featured property can only be described as truly charming.
Sitting alongside the Huddersfield to Sheffield railway line, the old station master’s house in Brockholes Lane dates back to 1850, pictured right, and has been the home of Susan Hughes for the last 24 years.
Her late husband Thomas, restored the Station House to its former glory and many of the old railway signs and original features are still on display.
Now Susan is on the move and downsizing, looking for a property in or around the town of Holmfirth.
She said: “My husband was a great rail enthusiast but when we originally came to look at the house, the amount of work that needed doing was daunting.
“A lot of the rooms had been shut off and there was so much to do to convert it into a liveable family home. He was very meticulous about all the work and it really was a major project. He re-created original etchings on many of the windows and he loved his railway memorabilia.
“I don’t suppose there are many houses in the area with their own railway platform and where trains pass every hour to Huddersfield and Sheffield. I’m not sure of the time but there is a morning and an evening train which runs from here all the way into Leeds and back, so ideal for anyone commuting.’’
Today this unique house is simply a charming property with extensive grounds and still scope to extend and improve.
Susan said: “Despite all the work we have done, the old ticket office and toilet block are still to update and convert to living accommodation.’’
This section of the property could easily be converted to use as a holiday let, bed and breakfast accommodation or a separate annexe, subject to planning consent.
The house is approached through the old station car park and you can feel the sense of history as you knock on the imposing original front door.
Walk in and this property combines a modern, cosy home with the original features of the old station master’s house.
Look around and you can see the original office (now a snug/study), doors on to the platform, the former ladies waiting room (which is now the sitting room), a traditional dining kitchen with tiled flooring, an Inglenook fireplace and views over the garden. The former general waiting room is set up as a drawing room with a period brick fireplace as a focal point and there is also a utility room next to the kitchen.
On the first floor there is a large master bedroom with high ceiling, period fireplace and exposed beams, two further double bedrooms and a contemporary house bathroom with roll top bath.
A fourth bedroom could be created in the old ticket office.
This house is a glorious gem of a property which is a perfect family home for someone who likes something a little different.
Although it does contain many echoes of its railway past, it is also has all the comforts of a modern home.
Susan said: “It will be very hard to leave here, it’s been a lovely and unique home. Over the years we’ve heard many stories about the railway including a time when a group of escaped prisoners from Wakefield hid in the old signal box just down the line.’’
The property is being marketed by Yorkshire’s Finest estate agents 01484 689880.
PRICE: £400,000 for a limited time only.
