Hidden Georgian house for sale in Adel

Communes were all the rage in the 1960s and 70s and Dr Barrie Hopson and his friends were keen to embrace the idea.One of the greatest benefits was that purchasing power was greatly enhanced when the three couples joined forces.They were able to buy Ashling House, a gorgeous Georgian rectory with grounds on the edge of the sought-after village of Adel in Leeds, which is now for sale for £1.35m with Lister Haigh.

Like most others, the commune was dissolved as couples split and went their separate ways but Dr Hopson remained, buying out his co-owners.“We bought the house in 1975 from the church and set up an urban commune. It worked until marriages broke up and people started to move out. I didn’t want to leave and I managed to raise the capital to buy it. I’ve lived here for 44 years and have loved it,” he says.Over the past four decades, Dr Hopson, a psychologist, has renovated and restored the period property and says: “It’s unrecognisable compared to how it looked when we bought it. It’s a gorgeous house in a lovely part of Adel.“I don’t want to leave but I have to be practical as my wife and I have to downsize to something more suitable for our needs.”

Tim Waring, Head of Residential at Lister Haigh, says: “It’s a classic Georgian house near the picturesque Adel church and Headingley Golf Club and it’s totally hidden away.”Largely built in 1767 and now Grade II listed, the house faces open fields.Entered through secure electric gates into a sweeping circular driveway, the property is of classic Georgian proportions and layout.

The central hallway is flanked by a formal sitting and drawing room, the latter connecting to a conservatory. The breakfast kitchen leads into a dining room that could also be used as a fifth bedroom as it has an adjoining wetroom. There is also a separate guest cloakroom.

The first floor has four double bedrooms with the master suite and guest bedroom both having en suite facilities. There is also a house bathroom.

Outside, there is garaging and the gardens. The extensive landscaping and terracing around the conservatory leads through to the first garden area and to a “secret” garden designed for tranquillity. The second garden leads into an impressive French Potager where there are gates to a paddock.Contact: Lister Haigh, tel: 01423 730700, www.listerhaigh.co.uk