There’s no longer a doctor in the house but this is a perfect home

THIS fabulous period property is on the market for the first time in almost 100 years.

Originally built as weavers cottages and then extended to include an impressive stone frontage in the Victorian era, the house accommodated two generations of doctors who operated a GP surgery from the property until the 1970s.

Owner Richard Robinson says: “My grandfather came to Knaresborough from Ireland in the 1920s and set up a practice. He subsequently bought Woodside House and built the surgery onto it. My father took over the practice, which operated as the town’s main surgery, until his retirement in the 1970s.

“I grew up there and people would come and sit in the waiting room and then be seen by my dad or his partner, Dr Lindsay. My mother was the receptionist, at least she took calls and decided whether the medical condition was serious enough to call my father out.

“The practice was moved to Bond end and since then the surgery has been used as both a bedroom and office.”

After inheriting the house 10 years ago Richard has modernised the interior while maintaining the original character and Victorian features.

The house was stripped of its woodchip wallpaper and treated to new bathrooms. the original fireplaces were opened up and restored and the sash windows were renovated.

An open plan kitchen and sitting room was created at the back of the house and bespoke, hand-crafted units installed, with reclaimed bricks adding character to the fireplace.

Estate agent Nick Alcock, Dacre, Son and Hartley, Knaresborough, says: “It is rare that so many original features have been retained together with more recent, traditional and luxury fittings, all complementing the original layout.

“Woodside House is a truly splendid family home that is beautifully appointed in a secluded location within the heart of Knaresborough.”

The property has a reception hall with original tiled floor, cloakroom, drawing room with corner turret and panelled walls, dining room, family room, breakfast kitchen, utility room and potential annexe housing a study/bedroom and a store room that could be turned into a bathroom.

Upstairs, there is a master bedroom with dressing room, guest bedroom, two further bedrooms with en-suites and a bathroom. Outside, there are gardens to the front and rear.

Mr Robinson says: “It’s been a privilege to have lived in such a special home that even includes a corner turret, something which fascinated me as a small child.

“Selling the old place feels a little odd but both our children live in Los Angeles now and we want to spend more time with them.”