Swift Place, Sowerby Bridge, HX6

Swift Place, Ripponden

There are some houses that simply cannot be replicated, and Swift Place is one of them.

Dating from 1626 and Grade II* listed, this remarkable home is steeped in almost four centuries of history. Set in one of Ripponden’s most sought after and rarely available locations, it combines beautiful period architecture, generous accommodation and far reaching views across the Ryburn Valley.

The approach sets the tone. The house is entered through an impressive listed gateway into a wonderful stone courtyard, immediately giving a sense of the age and importance of the property. Beyond, the house opens to the gardens at the rear, where the views stretch across the surrounding countryside.

Inside, the house has retained a wealth of original character. Stone mullioned windows, substantial fireplaces, exposed timbers, old stonework and beautifully proportioned rooms tell the story of the building, while the accommodation has evolved over the years to create a comfortable and very individual family home.

The ground floor offers three very different reception rooms, each with its own character and atmosphere.

The dining room is a wonderful room for entertaining, with its impressive stone fireplace and windows looking out across the Ryburn Valley. It is easy to imagine Christmas here, with a long table filled with family and friends, but equally it is a room that would lend itself beautifully to dinner parties and special occasions throughout the year.

The living room has a completely different feel. Light and bright, with doors opening directly onto the garden, it really comes into its own during the warmer months. The doors can be thrown open and the room becomes part of the garden, perfect for summer lunches, drinks outside or garden parties that naturally spill between the house and the lawn.

Then there is the snug, a smaller and more intimate room that feels made for quieter moments. It is the sort of room where you can tuck yourself away with a good book and a hot chocolate on a winter afternoon. Equally, for anyone working from home, its position and proportions would make it an excellent private office or study.

The kitchen sits at the heart of the house and has a wonderfully traditional feel, with the blue Aga adding a splash of colour and character. Alongside is a useful utility room and ground floor WC.

Upstairs are five bedrooms, including an exceptionally beautiful principal bedroom measuring almost 20ft by 17ft. This is a wonderfully romantic room, full of the character and charm you would hope to find in a house of this age. The owners’ four poster bed offers a glimpse of just how beautifully the proportions of the room lend themselves to a more traditional style, sitting perfectly alongside the stone fireplace, deep windows and historic features. Far reaching views across the surrounding countryside add to the sense of occasion, while there is ample space to create a seating area, somewhere to enjoy a morning coffee while taking in the view. Despite its generous proportions, the room retains a real warmth and intimacy and feels more like a private suite than simply a bedroom.

The remaining bedrooms each have their own individual character, with old doorways, stone surrounds, exposed timbers and mullioned windows reminding you of the history of the building at every turn.

There are two family bathrooms, both with baths but each with a very different feel. One has a hint of Art Deco influence, which sits beautifully with the character and individuality of the house. The second has a more contemporary finish, with a bath and rainfall style shower, giving a lovely balance between the historic character of Swift Place and the comforts of modern living.

Beneath the house there is a cellar and a garden room which is plumbed with a sink and a cooker. Full of atmosphere and history in their own right, they provide excellent additional storage and are another fascinating reminder of the property's age.

Outside, the gardens are an important part of the setting. Lawns, established planting, mature trees and traditional stone walls create a beautiful backdrop to the house, with an established rose garden adding colour and character. An octagonal terrace is perfectly positioned to capture the sun throughout the day and makes a lovely spot for morning coffee, a summer lunch or an evening drink while taking in the views across the Ryburn Valley.

Tucked within the garden is a charming summer house with heating, creating a peaceful little retreat and a lovely place to read or simply enjoy the garden even when the weather is cooler. There are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the surroundings, while the open countryside beyond gives a wonderful feeling of space.

Across the courtyard and adjacent to the house is a useful log and coal store, perfectly placed for keeping fuel close at hand during the winter months.

Unusually for a property of this age, Swift Place also has a detached garage, providing valuable private parking and storage.

The setting is one of the property's greatest attractions. Despite its peaceful position, Ripponden village is within easy reach, with its independent shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants. There are excellent commuter links to Manchester, Leeds, London and beyond with Sowerby Bridge and Halifax train stations close by. While the M62 is a 15 minute drive away. For those who enjoy the outdoors, beautiful countryside is quite literally on the doorstep, with an abundance of walking and cycling routes through the surrounding Ryburn Valley.

Properties of this architectural importance are rare. Properties of this calibre in this particular part of Ripponden come to the market even less often. Swift Place is not a conventional period house. It is a home with a genuine sense of history and place, and one that has been part of the Ryburn Valley landscape for almost 400 years.

Garden

Large, beautifully maintained garden to the rear of the property, with three separate seating terraces set at different levels, offering lovely places to sit and enjoy the garden and surrounding views.

Parking - Garage

Parking for a number of cars available