No expense spared on restoration of Dales house

Waterside Lodge
is in an idyllic location by a reservoir — Waterside Lodge is in an idyllic location by a reservoir

After a hunt for a new home near Skipton proved fruitless, Piers and Debbie Leigh decided to put an advert in the local paper.

Their alternative approach paid off when the owner of Waterside Lodge responded.

One viewing was all it took for them to put in an offer on the Dales property, which overlooks a reservoir. “It was as much about the location as the house. It’s such a beautiful and secluded place and yet it only takes me an hour to get into Leeds from here,” says Piers.

The interiors have been renovated with no expense spared

The property was built by the water company in 1895 and is tucked away in a tranquil spot in the hamlet of Winterburn, between Hetton and Airton.

“It was in need of updating but we didn’t do anything to it straight away. We wanted to get a feel for the place first,” says Piers.

Over the years, he and Debbie have renovated the house with no expense spared. The kitchen was fitted by Smallbone and comes with Miele appliances. The Victorian home has also been extended to provide a new cloakroom, utility and entrance area and there is planning permission to create a first floor bedroom, en-suite and study.

The extension was built by respected builder Mervyn Holme, who also converted a outbuilding to create a self-contained annexe.

The main house now has a porch, sitting room with wood-burning stove, study area with return staircase. The dining kitchen has oak Smallbone cabinets and an Aga, rear hall, cloakroom and utility room. On the first floor, there are three bedrooms and a bathroom with a contemporary Vernon Tutbury suite. The annexe has a double bedroom, kitchenette and shower room. Outside, there is a detached double garage/workshop, parking area and gardens.

Piers, who restores classic cars, and Debbie, a textile designer, are selling to buy another renovation project.

“It’s something we love doing but leaving this place is going to be very emotional,” he says. “It’s an amazing setting where you are very conscious of the seasons and where there is no light pollution so you see the Northern Lights and the stars. We will miss it very much.”

*For details contact Dale Eddison, tel: Tel: 01756 630555, www.daleeddison.co.uk

*Winterburn is four miles from Gargrave and seven from Skipton.