DYER'S COTTAGE
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to stay in a traditional cottage dating from about 1650? With an authenticated history of its occupants since the late 18th century, Dyer’s Cottage is a unique and charming one-bedroom self-catering holiday cottage in Calderdale West Yorkshire. The cottage is located on the edge of the South Pennines, and is less than two hours drive from either the Yorkshire or Lancashire coast.
Dyer’s Cottage offers you a unique experience. In the mid 17th century, a long stone farmhouse was built on the side of the Calder Valley, two miles from the small market town of Halifax, Yorkshire. Upstairs, the wool from the sheep would have been spun by the females of the household and then woven into pieces of cloth. Selling them became so much easier in 1777 when the beautiful Piece Hall was built in Halifax.
Early in the 19th century, Robert Wainhouse established a dye works on Washer Lane, about 200 yards from the farmhouse, enabling the cloth pieces to be colour-dyed using the plentiful supply of water from the hillside. The farmhouse at this time was owned by a Miss Wainhouse and was converted into a terrace of five separate cottages to provide accommodation for Master Dyers. Outside, four new doors were created on the long south facing side, and inside, new stone staircases were installed to access upstairs, together with new fireplaces, a cold water supply and a WC in the back yard. The original ceiling beams remained as they are continuous and probably structural.
From 1854, the dye works was owned by John Edward Wainhouse 1817-1883. He had a passion for architecture and his designs can still be seen all over the Skircoat area. He added the distinctive porches to many of his properties, including Dyer’s Cottage, and reflecting the importance of water, there are water troughs and wells engraved with his initials. You can explore the Heritage Wainhouse Trail (a copy is in Dyer’s Cottage) and see the legacy for yourself. Most notable are his house West Air, now the Grade II listed Wainhouse Tavern, and Wainhouse Tower, the tallest folly in the world standing at 250ft tall. It has 403 steps leading to ornate balconies which are open to visitors on some bank holidays. Although designed as a chimney for the dye works, it was never actually used as such.
The estate of John Edward Wainhouse was sold at auction in 1886 and James Kenyon, my great-great-grandfather (1844-1915), a successful local businessman who had been born in the cottage, bought the old farmhouse. He allowed his married daughters to live in a cottage each and this is how our cottage has remained in the family.
A rudimentary electricity supply and a new fireplace were installed in 1934, but it was not until 2014/15 that a hot water supply, gas central heating, a fully equipped handcrafted kitchen and a luxury bathroom were added. The original features have been maintained and restored wherever possible and complimented by a mix of antique and contemporary furniture such as the Hypnos superking bed which can also be made up as twin beds.
Please take a look at our website, follow the virtual tour and read our reviews. This is a unique, exceptionally well-appointed, comfortable self catering cottage, which sleeps up to three adults and a baby. Perfect for singles, couples, two or three friends or small families. You may well have seen the beautiful countryside and historic buildings around us in TV dramas such as Happy Valley, Last Tango in Halifax and Gentleman Jack. Please get in touch if you have any questions about this historic cottage which several guests have described as a “true home away from home”.
Public Transport
There is a taxi rank outside Halifax Railway Station. Alternatively, exit the precinct, cross the road and head up Horton St. Take the 5th road on the right, Commercial St, then take the second turning on the left called George St and wait at stand 24 for the 579 bus. These come every 15 minutes. Ask that you alight at the top of Darcey Hey Lane just past King Cross traffic lights. Proceed down Darcey Hey Lane to the bottom to the Wainhouse Tavern, turn left and walk 30m to a tall green gate on the left sharing 64/66. Turn left inside the gate and follow the path with steps to the black door. Alternatively alight the train (less frequent) at Sowerby Bridge Railway Station and proceed to the main road about 150m away. Cross the road and wait at the bus stop for the 579 bus about every 15 minutes and request to alight opposite Darcey Hey Lane. Cross Rochdale Road and follow the guidance above.
Road Directions
From the M62 junction 24, follow signs to A629 Halifax. Follow this for about 3 miles passing Salterhebble where there is a Shell garage on the left and a Premier Inn and Watermill pub on the right. A little further on, take the A646 Skircoat Moor Road on the left and follow slightly uphill for about half a mile to a set of traffic lights at a crossroads on a large green area. Turn left along Birdcage Lane then take the 3rd turning on the right called Scarr Bottom Road and follow this. After about half a mile, there is a road junction with hills to the right and ahead but you turn sharply left into Upper Washer Lane and Dyer’s Cottage is about 200m on the right, set back from the road just before the Wainhouse Tavern. We suggest you park on the wider part of Edwards Road, just past the pub.
66 Upper Washer Lane, Pye Nest, Halifax, Yorkshire. HX2 7DR
Location type: Town
Location setting: Hillside
Premises Facilities
Family friendly Child facilities Dog friendly Free wifi Central heating Non-smoking establishment
Accommodation Facilities
Bath/shower TV DVD Central heating Garden patio Linen Towels Hairdryer Iron Tea & coffee Fridge Freezer Toaster Hob Oven Microwave Dishwasher
Nearby
The Piece Hall | 2.0 miles |
Eureka! - The National Childrens Museum | 2.0 miles |
The Bankfield Museum | 3.0 miles |
Shibden Hall | 4.0 miles |
Bronte Parsonage Museum Haworth | 12.0 miles |
The Wainhouse Tavern | 0.1 miles |
Pollino King Cross | 1.0 miles |
Gimbals Sowerby Bridge | 1.0 miles |
Pride and Provenance Halifax | 2.0 miles |
True North Dean Clough | 3.0 miles |
Sainsbury’s Local | 0.5 miles |
Tesco | 1.0 miles |
Local shops | 1.0 miles |
Good shopping and Victorian market in Halifax town centre | 2.0 miles |
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