Herbert Asquith's birthplace for sale with Downing Street door

This historic home comes with an impressive claim to political fame. The property is the birthplace of Herbert Henry Asquith, one of Britain’s most high-profile Prime Ministers.

The period front door at Croft House also has a connection with Downing Street. It is a replica of the one at Number 10 and can only be opened from the inside.

H H Asquith, was born in 1852, the younger son of Joseph Dixon Asquith and his wife, Emily. The couple were middle class and politically radical, which helped inform young “Bertie’s” ideals.

Exceptionally bright, he was home educated at Croft House until tragedy struck when he was seven. His father died and, after attending the Moravian Church school at Fulneck, near Bradford, for three years he was sent to school in London before going on to Oxford University.

He later served as Liberal Prime Minister from 1908 to 1916. In August 1914, Asquith took Britain into the First World War before resigning. He was succeeded by his War Secretary David Lloyd George. He never held office again. In 1925 he accepted a peerage as Earl of Oxford and Asquith. He died in 1928.

His childhood home is a four-bedroom, semi-detached Georgian house that retains a wealth of period features.

It is grade II listed and has been well cared for by owners Norman and Ann Stevenson. The late Mr Stevenson bought the property in 1946 after moving to the area after wartime service to take over the running of Hainsworth’s opticians. He was enormously proud of the Asquith connection and and he and Ann carried out a sensitive renovation of the property in keeping with its heritage.

It is now in need of some modernisation and has a hallway, drawing room with square bay window and feature mirror, a dining room, an inner hallway with study area, a kitchen and cloakroom. The split-level landing has a glazed roof window bringing an abundance of natural light to the stairway. On the first floor, there are four bedrooms and a bathroom. The front bedroom with the bow window was HH Asquith’s.

The property also has a large basement with three vaulted rooms that were once the kitchen and servants quarters.

Outside, there is a cobbled access road leading to a private driveway and parking area. There is also a substantial lawned garden plus a detached coach house and two detached garages.

The house is in a sought-after area of Morley and in walking distance of the train station. The M62 is a short drive away.

For details on Croft House, Church Street, Morley, near Leeds, contact Manning Stainton estate agents, Morley, tel: 0113 252 4222, www.manningstainton.co.uk