Old and new come together with character home restored to its former glory

The village of Heaton has a number of claims to fame - J B Priestley, the writer whose career straddled the 20th Century, was bought up here, while novelist John Braine was educated locally at St. Bede's Grammar School.

Heaton has been popular since the middle of the 19th century, when the Victorians prized the area for its 'serenity' and country-like atmosphere.

Development began in the 1860s when land was sold off for villa development and the building of a church, college and reservoir.

The country-like atmosphere may have disappeared, but there are still plenty of serenty in the pockets of charming terraced cottages to be found, especially along Highgate, which is close to the village centre.

But it wasn't only the serenity of this Grade II listed two bedroom cottage that attracted the current owners, who have lived there, as they say: "for two and a half happy years".

"The wow factor of the property has to be the Tardis effect with its quaint exterior and cavernous interior being so much bigger on the inside than expected, for those of you who are non-Doctor Who fans.

Built in the early 19th century this cottage is part of a row built of sandstone 'brick' stone with slate roofs, which formed part of the original village.

"The property was stuck in a magnolia time warp so it was a nice blank canvas ready for inspiration to strike."

And strike they did, firstly uncovering a beautiful stone fireplace in the living room. There was white gloss paint everywhere, including wooden ceiling beams, all the doors and cabinets. It took a long while, but eventually it was all stripped back and restored.

The bathroom was completely redesigned and relieved of its 1970's turquoise plastic bath, toilet, and pedestal wash basin.

"We varnished the floorboards and all rooms were painted, wallpapered and brought into the future with partial double glazing and central heating, but with nods to its past."

This character home, which is a charming amalgamation of the old and the new deserves to be viewed internally for be fully appreciated.

On the ground floor is an entrance lobby with stairs leading to the first floor, a good sized lounge with a charming bow window overlooking the front garden, a beam effect ceiling, and a gas fire in a period style surround set in a feature chimney breast.

The dining kitchen has all the mod cons you could want with a modern style range of units with worktop surfaces, electric oven and gas hob, plumbing for a washing machine and dishwasher, and a storage area understairs.

Off the first floor landing are two bedrooms, one with two windows to the rear, fitted wardrobes and a cupboard housing a wash basin.

Also on this floor is the family bathroom with a white suite that includes a rectangular bath with shower over, WC, and wash basin.

"Our favourite room is hard to choose but would settle for the living room for its cosiness and peaceful, secluded feel."

Outside is a garden with seating area to the front, feels very private, and an enclosed yard to the rear.

"Both the front and rear garden areas have been optimised for sun worship in the front garden in the daytime and meeting the sun in the back yard in the evening!

"I'm a keen gardener so there is a lot of love and chiropractor's bills in that area.

"The charm of the cottage will be hard to match and the community spirit of our neighbours is priceless for the occasional wave or lend of their ladders."