Towngate, Scholes, £349,950
Robert Watts, Birkenshaw (01274) 878878

When Brian and Joanne Thorpe and their family first moved into this charming barn conversion in Scholes, there was so much Artex on the walls that you could slice your arm walking up the stairs if you weren’t careful.

It hadn’t put them off, though, when they viewed it. “We wanted a village setting and a garden, and as we knew we were going to have another child, it had to be large enough,” says Brian.

They also loved the fact that they were close to all the amenities in the village, yet within two minutes’ walk of the countryside, but above all what drew them to the house was the potential and uniqueness.

This former coach house, built in the 1860s, is right in the heart of the village, within sight of the local church, and with six bedrooms would make any family an ideal home. It also comes with the added bonus of converting the large storage barn either to extend the house or convert into two separate homes – subject to planning permission.

Since moving in, the family has extended the kitchen and refitted it last October, complete with integral appliances, installed a multi-fuel burner in the living room, and exposed the ceiling beams, they have also upgraded throughout and re-decorated, which included stripping off all the artex.

“We took out the games room downstairs and made that into a large family room, took the staircase away and made a galleried landing. Then the second upstairs lounge was converted to two bedrooms, and a playroom which is over the barn.

“The beams were all black, some with ingravings on. It was definitely a labour of love.

The first floor is ideal for a growing family as it includes an open plan sitting area as well as sufficient bedroom space which would make a great annexe for a teenager.

When all the works were complete the family had two reception rooms, a playroom, breakfast kitchen and storage barn on the ground floor, complemented by six first-floor bedrooms, the master with en-suite facilities as well as the open plan sitting area and splendid four piece bathroom. There is also a very useful vaulted cellar, good-sized lawned garden with mature trees and shrubs and a block paved driveway which offers ample off-street parking as well as a single attached garage.

“It’s difficult to choose our favourite room because it’s such a seasonal house. In the winter we use the lounge with its traditional log burner. It just wraps itself around you. In the summer we spend most of our time in the garden, which my husband has opened up. It was shaded with Leylandii, but he put in more lawn. It’s south-facing, so it gets the sun all the time.

“The workshop could be turned into further living space or an annexe. We have a full-sized pool table in there now. It was in one of the reception rooms, till I had it moved.”

Everywhere you look in this spacious home you can see the love and attention that has been lavished on it, with its charming character coupled with all the modern conveniences we take for granted.

“We’re going to miss the spaciousness of the house, the garden in the summer, and the accessibility to family walks, while still having all the village amenities on our doorstep.”