Thackley home's secret bar (From Ilkley Gazette)

Thackley home's secret bar

4:48pm Thursday 26th November 2009

Built between 1740 and 1750, Wood Top Farm has a secret that would gladden the heart of many a lover of the grape and the grain.

For hidden behind a door in the lounge is a secret bar with deep, rich, wood-panelled walls.

Owner Michele Huddart says that when they bought the farm in 2001, it didn’t, for her at least, have a particular ‘wow’ factor. But she believes it was the bar that attracted husband Darren.

“I could see the potential in the house. While it was structurally sound, it was in a poor decorative state,” she says. “The beams were there, as was the large chimney in the dining room, although there was no fireplace in it.

“But I think it was the secret bar that attracted Darren, because it’s always a great talking point with visitors. The handle on the door is really difficult to spot unless you already know it is there.”

The couple had seen the three bedroom Grade II listed farm advertised in the local paper, and went along to see it.

“We made an offer the next day and it was accepted,” says Michele, who hasn’t managed to find out much about the property’s history, although they have tried.

Attached at the back of the house is a barn, which has been converted into two small cottages, while the other old cottages at the side used to be the farm-workers’ homes.

“We have been told that there is an underground stream running somewhere towards the bottom of the garden, and that the kitchen and bathroom extension – which were added later, as it was just a two-up, two-down – was built using stone from the building of the Leeds-Liverpool canal.”

As in the way of old properties, the works the couple carried out took longer than expected.

“There wasn’t a straight wall or level floor in the house,” she says.

“We remodelled the kitchen and replaced the bathroom, as well as demolishing a really horrible old conservatory that had seen better days. Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to replace it because the house is listed, so instead we put down decking.

“My favourite room would have to be the dining room. I love the huge chimney and the old Georgian-style hob grate we had put in, along with the new floor we had laid. But I also love our bedroom with its vaulted ceiling; the rooms upstairs have higher ceilings than those downstairs.”

This period home is a nice mix of the old and the new, with a superb free-standing kitchen and bathroom with jet shower and free-standing bath. There’s also plenty of charm and character, with mullioned windows, beams and window seats in many of the rooms.

The couple also renovated a patch of garden that was totally overgrown with knotweed.

“The garden was mostly old rose bushes, some of which had seen better days. They’ve been replaced with fuchsias, rhododendrons, palms, monkey puzzle tree and wisteria.

“We’ve also moved a patio from the front of the house to the side and had a summer house put there, and cleared a flower bed for a pond, although it hasn’t been dug yet.”

The garden is a haven for wildlife of all types, including squirrels – probably because it’s close to Thackley Wood Nature Reserve – and when the flowers are blossoming there are enormous numbers of bees.

“Weather permitting, we spend a lot of time in the garden because we get the sun all day long at the front of the house,” says Michele.

“I’m going to miss the whole place. It’s convenient for work for both myself and Darren, and it’s a very warm and welcoming home. I’m also going to miss my youngest son, who lives in one of the farm workers’ cottages.

“Before we lived here, we were in a small cul-de-sac way off a main road. Because Wood Top Farm is on a main road, although it is well set back, we were worried about the noise; but with 18-inch thick walls, I can honestly say that within a few days the noise just faded into the background and it’s never been a problem since.”

Wood Top Farm, Wood Top, Thackley, is on the market for £290,000 with Waite & Co, Guiseley, tel (01943) 870970.