Peter Womersley's 1954 modernist house Farnley Hey listed for sale in West Yorkshire
Farnley Hey, a landmark modernist house designed by architect Peter Womersley in 1954, has been listed for sale at £1.05 million through The Modern House. Originally conceived as a wedding gift for Womersley's brother, the West Yorkshire residence represents a radical departure from traditional British housing with its flat roofs, wood and stone façades, and floor-to-ceiling glazing. Drawing inspiration from Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright, the design bears more resemblance to mid-century Californian architecture than local Pennine traditions. The house occupies approximately 1.7 acres with panoramic countryside views, featuring a double-height reception room known as 'the dance floor' that was designed for lively gatherings. Original built-in mid-century furniture has been preserved alongside thoughtful updates, while materials like camphorwood, York stone flooring, and lemon-yellow Formica panels add warmth to the modernist structure. The property includes four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a study, kitchen, dining area, and a cantilevered mezzanine gallery. Positioned on the northern edge of its grounds, the house maintains a constant dialogue between interior and exterior through expansive glazing that floods spaces with natural light. More than seventy years after its creation, Farnley Hey continues to embody a visionary approach to domestic architecture that feels both historically significant and contemporary.
Key facts
- Farnley Hey was designed in 1954 by architect Peter Womersley
- The house is currently listed for sale at £1.05 million
- It was originally created as a wedding gift for Womersley's brother
- The property sits on approximately 1.7 acres in West Yorkshire
- Design influences include Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright
- Features include flat roofs, wood and stone façades, and floor-to-ceiling glazing
- The double-height reception room is known as 'the dance floor'
- Original mid-century furniture has been preserved throughout the house
Entities
Artists
- Peter Womersley
- Le Corbusier
- Frank Lloyd Wright
Institutions
- The Modern House
- Wallpaper
- Luxury London Magazine
Locations
- West Yorkshire
- United Kingdom
- Pennines
- California