6 bed detached house for sale

Scott Lane, Riddlesden, Keighley BD20

Summary
West Riddlesden Hall is a truly exceptional Grade I listed family home dating back to 1687, set within private grounds of approximately 1.3 acres with an additional paddock approaching 1 acre.

Description
Steeped in history yet offering versatile family living, this six-bedroom residence combines period character, grandeur, and modern convenience. Approached via a sweeping private driveway, the house is tucked away for complete privacy, with beautifully maintained gardens, a gated courtyard, and ample parking including a double garage. The accommodation centres around a striking oak-panelled reception hall, with a series of elegant reception rooms, a fully fitted kitchen, snug, sunroom, and extensive bedrooms including a luxurious master suite with dressing area and en-suite. With historic features throughout, flexible living spaces, and additional potential for the grounds, West Riddlesden Hall is a rare and remarkable opportunity to own one of West Yorkshire's most distinguished period homes.

Introduction
West Riddlesden Hall, Scott Lane, Keighley, BD20 5BU presents an extraordinary opportunity to purchase a historic Grade I listed home with origins dating back to 1687. Built for Thomas Leach and crafted in traditional stone with a stone slate roof, this imposing six-bedroom residence occupies a wonderfully secluded position within a 1.3-acre private plot, accompanied by a paddock approaching a further acre. Few properties combine such heritage, scale, and privacy, especially so close to the National Trust's sister property East Riddlesden Hall.

Property Description
The house sits completely out of sight, reached through two sets of gates - the inner set electronically operated - before following a private driveway of around 60 meters. The gentle curve of the drive conceals the house from the entrance, giving the property a sense of arrival and exclusivity. Extensive parking is available for several vehicles, complemented by a double garage, useful outbuildings, a secure courtyard, and a collection of lawned areas framed by mature planting and a striking stone boundary wall stretching approximately 50 meters in length and nearly 3 meters in height.

Inside, the accommodation is arranged around a magnificent oak-panelled hall, a feature of genuine architectural importance, complete with a tower flagpole and an impressive four-metre rose window that brings light into the heart of the home. The ground floor includes three principal reception rooms, a spacious kitchen with adjoining sunroom, two utility spaces, a ground floor WC and further hallway access to the gardens.

The first floor offers six bedrooms, three benefiting from en-suite facilities. The master bedroom is of generous proportions alongside a private dressing area shower room and WC. A bay window provides stunning views over the garden. A large family bathroom with Jacuzzi serves all remaining rooms. In total the laid out accommodation is flexible and suitable for a wide range of buyers.

The land surrounding the property offers additional potential, with areas that have historically carried planning permission for four detached homes along the canal border - an option that can be revisited assisted by now relaxed planning.

After nearly 25 years of ownership, the current custodians are ready to downsize, leaving behind a property rich in character, heritage, and opportunity. West Riddlesden Hall stands as one of the region's most impressive period homes - a once-in-a-generation offering for buyers seeking grandeur, privacy, and a truly unique setting.

Entrance Lobby
The Entrance Lobby sets the tone for the property, featuring twin oak-framed, leaded and glazed doors, exposed stone walls, and a traditional stone flag floor. A ceiling light point adds warmth, while an additional oak and leaded glazed door leads directly into the impressive reception hall.

Reception Hall
The Reception Hall is a magnificent central space showcasing a bank of stone-mullioned, leaded and glazed windows that draw in natural light. The room is rich with period character, offering a beamed ceiling, extensive oak panelling, and beautifully laid herringbone oak parquet flooring. A feature fireplace adds further grandeur, while the original oak staircase rises to the first floor. Of special note is the historic carved panel dating back to 1687, a remarkable tribute to the home's original owner, Thomas Leach.

Kitchen
The Kitchen enjoys views over the courtyard through secondary-glazed stone mullioned windows, creating a bright and characterful setting at the heart of the home. It hosts CCTV covering external areas and main entrance. A beamed ceiling, fitted with a combination of downlighters and spotlights, complements the extensive panelling and high-quality fittings. The kitchen is equipped with a comprehensive range of units topped with granite worktops, a central breakfast bar, and a Rangemaster cooker with an extractor canopy above. Integrated appliances include a dishwasher, microwave/airfryer, and an American-style double fridge-freezer. To one side, a secure metal lockable door opens into the vaulted wine cellar/pantry which originally served as a gun/rifle store, ideal for storage and temperature stability. There is direct access to the dining room via a timber-panelled door, as well as a glazed door to the sitting room/snug. Additional doors lead back to the reception hall and out to the courtyard, ensuring excellent flow throughout the ground floor especially when catering.

Drawing Room
The Drawing Room is a beautifully proportioned space featuring a walk-in bay with secondary double-glazed stone mullioned windows on two sides, complete with a charming window seat beneath each. Multiple windows on two aspects offer extensive views over the garden and flood the room with natural light. The main focal point is a decorative stone fireplace with a Raystone hearth, providing both warmth and period character. Exposed beams and other original features enhance the room's elegance, making it a truly stunning reception space.

Dining Room
The Dining Room is a remarkable and generous space, ideal for formal entertaining or family gatherings. It features double-glazed windows to the side elevation, an exposed beamed ceiling, and a striking Inglenook feature stone fireplace, all combining to create a sense of grandeur and character. With its impressive proportions and historic detailing, this room perfectly complements the elegance and scale of the property as a whole.

Snug
The Snug is a charming dual-aspect room featuring secondary double-glazed stone mullioned windows and a traditional beamed ceiling, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Twin timber and glazed doors open directly into the adjoining sunroom, enhancing natural light and offering an easy connection to the outdoors and patio. There is also direct access to the dining room via a timber-panelled door. The main focal point of the room is the impressive brick fireplace, complete with an oak mantle and a coal-effect gas stove, set within a brick surround that adds both character and comfort. The three double wall lights are on a dimmer.

Utility Room
The Utility Room is accessed via a timber and glazed door from the inner hallway and provides a practical workspace with fitted worktops, a stainless-steel sink, and a range of wall-mounted storage cupboards. From here, a door leads through into the Sunroom, a bright and versatile space enjoying a dual-aspect with generous windows that draw in natural light throughout the day. A timber and glazed door opens directly onto the garden and patio area, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor connection ideal for everyday use.

Rear Hall, Cloak Room, Laundry
The Rear Hallway, accessed from either the kitchen or the main reception hall, features secondary double-glazed windows to two elevations, bringing in ample natural light. Twin timber doors open directly into the courtyard, enhancing the connection to the outdoor spaces. Leading off the rear hallway a small lobby area connects through to the main hall and conveniently but discretely into a large cloak room, a downstairs WC and Laundry with washing machine, dryer and storage all facilitated on the ground floor.

Master Bedroom & En-Suite
The Master Bedroom is a spacious principal suite enjoying extensive windows to two sides, including a charming walk-in bay with stone mullioned windows overlooking the garden and a built-in window seat. The room features a decorative ceiling rose, central light point, and a fireplace with surround and tiled inset, all contributing to the elegant character of the space. To one side, a doorway leads into an ample dressing area, providing excellent storage and a natural flow through to the en-suite.

The En-suite is well appointed, offering a vaulted ceiling, tiled walls and floor, a heated towel rail, extractor fan, low-flush WC, wash basin, and a shower cubicle fitted with a chrome shower unit.

Bedroom Two
Bedroom Two is a generous double room with secondary double-glazed stone mullioned windows overlooking the garden and a built-in window seat. The room features a ceiling light point, picture rail, and exposed beams, and is served by an en-suite shower room comprising a shower cubicle with fittings, pedestal wash basin, and low-flush WC.

Bedroom Three
Bedroom Three is a spacious double with a triple-aspect of double-glazed windows, providing abundant natural light and views on three sides. It benefits from its own en-suite shower room with a shower cubicle, WC, and wash basin. The existing double door lobby and adjacent bathroom would serve as an ideal private annex.

Bedroom Four
Bedroom Four is another double room, uniquely linked to Bedroom Five via a through-side access.

Bedroom Five
Bedroom Five features a striking 5-foot-wide rose window with a central opener, offering a commanding view over the driveway.

Bedroom Six
Bedroom Six is currently used as an office and retains its character with stone mullioned double-glazed windows, ceiling light, picture rail, and a fitted cupboard with shelving. Historically, this room functioned as the kitchen for a self-contained annex, adding further flexibility to the property's layout.

Front Garden
Externally, West Riddlesden Hall is set within extensive and beautifully maintained grounds, offering exceptional privacy and a truly tranquil setting that perfectly complements this remarkable home. The gardens immediately surrounding the Hall create a secure and secluded environment, ideal for both relaxation and entertaining. To the front of the property is a generous lawned area with gentle banking, providing the perfect spot to sit out on sunny days.

Side Gardens
Beyond the immediate gardens are two substantial additional garden areas, rich with mature planting and established shrubs, making them ideal for keen gardeners or those seeking expansive outdoor space.

Paddock
One of the most striking features of the property is the large paddock, known as Kilnbank Moorings, which run alongside the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. This picturesque stretch of land is bordered by natural tree and shrub screening, maintaining complete privacy for the Hall, with mature trees lining the canal edge. The stretch of canal is the longest on the Leeds/Liverpool canal without any locks.

The paddock currently benefits from lapsed planning permission for four detached homes with garages, with a re-application underway by the current owner to reinstate the original approval. Access would be via an already established, separate driveway entrance from Scott Lane, further development could now be possible on the land to the east of the hall which could comfortably accommodate two large detached dwellings without affecting the current age or integrity of the main house.

The Paddock includes a hardstanding and existing services to facilitate the mooring of canal boats, with no levy payable to the Canal & River Trust as the land is privately owned; the public towpath lies on the opposite side of the canal. Mains water, electricity and drainage connections are present on site adjacent to the services area, but needs a final connection.

For equestrian use, the property already benefits from a stable suitable for two horses, a 20-foot metal storage container and ample grazing land..

Site Plan
The paddock benefits from lapsed planning permission granted in 2006 for four detached dwellings with garages. The paddock extends to just under 1 acre in total. In addition, the extensive garden area to the east of the hall could readily accommodate at least two substantial detached houses. Access could be achieved via the already established separate driveway entrance from Scott Lane. Although the site lies within a conservation area, there would be no encroachment on the hall itself, ensuring its integrity and setting are fully preserved. The paddock to the south is considered more suitable for development, being designated as white land rather than green belt, and is served by a dedicated roadway from Scott Lane. The paddock, known as Kiln Bank Moorings, is naturally screened by established tree and hedgerow boundaries, which maintain privacy for the hall. Fifteen mature and protected trees line the canal edge; these are the only trees subject to protection across the entire estate. A hardstanding area and service hut are in place to facilitate the mooring of canal boats, with no levy payable to the Canal & River Trust, as the land is privately owned. Public access is located on the opposite side of the canal. Connections for mains water and electricity are already laid to a manhole adjacent to the service hut, although final connections will be required. Equestrian facilities are already present on site, including a stable suitable for two horses, a 20-foot metal storage container, and ample grazing land.

Overview
West Riddlesden Hall is a property steeped in history, with a wealth of heritage and a number of notable and prominent former inhabitants. The Hall has documented links to the Brontë family and was recently described by The Yorkshire Post as a "secret manor house, " further underlining its significance and rarity. Architecturally, it is the mirror image and historic twin of nearby East Riddlesden Hall, which has been owned by the National Trust and open to the public since 1934, placing West Riddlesden Hall firmly within one of the region's most important historic settings.

Despite its sense of seclusion and grandeur, the property is exceptionally well positioned for modern living, with a full range of local amenities including public transport links, a Co-op, post office, leisure facilities and childcare provisions. The area is also well served by highly regarded primary, secondary and grammar schools.

1. Money laundering regulations: Intending purchasers will be asked to produce identification documentation at a later stage and we would ask for your co-operation in order that there will be no delay in agreeing the sale.
2. General: While we endeavour to make our sales particulars fair, accurate and reliable, they are only a general guide to the property and, accordingly, if there is any point which is of particular importance to you, please contact the office and we will be pleased to check the position for you, especially if you are contemplating travelling some distance to view the property.
3. The measurements indicated are supplied for guidance only and as such must be considered incorrect.
4. Services: Please note we have not tested the services or any of the equipment or appliances in this property, accordingly we strongly advise prospective buyers to commission their own survey or service reports before finalising their offer to purchase.
5. These particulars are issued in good faith but do not constitute representations of fact or form part of any offer or contract. The matters referred to in these particulars should be independently verified by prospective buyers or tenants. Neither sequence (UK) limited nor any of its employees or agents has any authority to make or give any representation or warranty whatever in relation to this property.