One of Yorkshire's finest Georgian homes is for sale and it has a royal seal of approval

Northgate Mount in the sought-after village of Honley is one of the region’s finest Georgian homes and it also comes with a royal seal of approval.

The property, which is now on the market for £3.75m with Simon Blyth, was built in 1817 by local mill owner and popular businessman William Brooke. Both he and his wife, Gertrude, were astounded when they received a request from His Majesty, King George V and Her Majesty, Queen Mary in July 1912.

They wanted to thank Brooke for the 60 years he had given to his business and for his philanthropy and generosity to the people of Honley. It was a highly unusual house call and with just two weeks notification, it sent Gertrude into a spin.

The visit has been researched and recorded in a booklet by Honley Civic Society, which says: “The villagers of Honley turned out in force. Men in Sunday best and straw boaters and women in their finest attire and their best hats lined the road with flags and handkerchiefs ready to greet their guests.”

The royal Daimler turned into the driveway at Northgate Mount and the events are detailed by Gertrude Brooke in her diary. She describes the visit as a fairytale and she reveals that the Queen was both kind and natural and that the King apologised for their late arrival. They took tea and William spent most of the time with the King and Gertrude with the Queen, who showed great interest in the Brooke family’s connections with India and in the Brooke’s workforce, their lives and the homes they lived in.

She enquired how many were employed by William and asked if he was “much beloved”, to which Gertrude answered “yes”. Both the Royals remarked on the beautiful garden. As the party left the Brooke household

A bystander noticed that “the King and Queen looked serious when they came, but that when they went away they were smiling and very happy” after obviously having a good time courtesy of Yorkshire hospitality.

Amanda and Essam Abdelfatah bought the Northgate Mount 28 years ago and can attest that it is a“happy home” that they have cherished. They have carried out an extensive and sensitive renovation while adding a conservatory and a swimming pool.

Amanda says: “It is a big but very friendly giant and a very happy house. We feel blessed to have been here for so many years and we are sad to leave but our children have grown up and we are planning to travel a bit more.

“We brought the house back to life when we renovated it but it is time to let it go to another family who can enjoy it as much as we have. It is the sort of place that loves being full of people.”

The house is set in six acres. It has an entrance hall with staircase, a 26’ x 21’2 drawing room with views over the gardens, a morning room, dining room, panelled study/library, breakfast kitchen, family/garden room, gym/games room, swimming pool with shower and changing rooms, two utility rooms and extensive cellars. There are six bedrooms and three bathrooms to the first floor and two further double bedrooms and a bathroom on the top floor.

Outbuildings include a substantial home office, four car garage block, tractor garage, gardens overlooking the pavilion, woodland and fields, all just a short walk away from the Honley village centre. For details visit www.simonblyth.co.uk, tel: 01484 689689

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Thank you

James Mitchinson