Property Spotlight | The Old Dyehouse, Waterside, Knaresborough

We have a great many properties on our books but every now and then a property is instructed with us to sell which is especially rare and interesting.

One such property is 2 The Old Dye House , Waterside, Knaresborough – a beautiful Grade 11 listed two bedroomed cottage alongside the river Nidd which comes complete with a Blue Plaque celebrating the production of dyes and the dyeing of textiles and leather on site dating back to 1610. Mention is also made on this plaque of John Warner and his son Simon – a Royalist activist in the Civil War.

Fabrics dyed on site were supplied to the Royal households of the day.

The manufacture and supply of dyestuffs to the local Linen Mills ceased in 1840 but the sense of time and history is still in the air and in the character and ambiance of this remarkable cottage.

Listen carefully and you may even now hear the faint echoes of cannon fire recalling the stubborn resistance of Knaresborough to overwhelming Parliamentary forces and of their loyalty to King Charles 1 during the Civil War.

John Warner was leader of the Clubmen, a “Home Guard” company formed to defend local property , when Cromwell’s soldiers were besieging Knaresborough Castle and his soldiers foraging in the area for food.

In time Simon Warner inherited the business, but in his inventory of 1683 it showed a decline in the dyeing business and that he had diversified as a Maltster.

Simon planted in his garden under the cliff the last crop of liquorice ( used in the production of dyestuff) ever grown in Knaresborough.

Romantics amongst us however say they can still smell the sweet aroma of his Liquorice on a summer evening as they stroll alongside the river . 

From the early 19th century the property was owned by the Ibbetson family. Elizabeth Ibbetson married Richard Sturdy, and it was their son, also called Richard, who offered boats for hire on the River Nidd. The Sturdy family, who were licensed to operate 140 boats on the River Nidd, not only hired out a fleet of boats, punts and canoes, but also built their own. Between the two World Wars the Dye House was used for storing the rowing boats during the winter.

A lovely property and home – one with great charm and amazing character , and without doubt a colourful and unique history in the life of Knaresborough. Full details can be found on our website 

Charles

About Charles

This blog follows the residential Sales and Lettings market in Harrogate, Knaresborough and surrounding villages.You will find information, analysis and guidance here along with news about Harrogate. I’m Charles Myring working in the Myrings Estate Agents Ltd business alongside my son Simon , daughter Gemma and dedicated sales teams. If you're thinking of Selling / Buying / Letting / Renting property locally Myrings would be happy to assist.