The current owners of Grade II listed Croft House, which dates back to 1679, believe that it once had a piggery outside, while inside the bookcases in the dining room are reputed to be the original ones from the Bronte Parsonage.

“Times have come full circle as we now have ‘micro pigs’ in the back garden, although they are not very ‘micro’ now!” says Andrew Smallwood, who lives there with his wife Tracey, and daughter Hollie.

“Also, thanks to the bookcases, when we first moved into Croft House I read many of the Bronte novels and became a little obsessed with anything ‘Bronte’, but my wife drew the line when I asked her to dress up as Jane Eyre!

“We lived in the village prior to buying Croft House and had always admired the house. When the property came on the market 11 years ago we jumped at the opportunity to buy it.”

Although the house needed complete modernisation, the basic structure and many of the main features of the house were in good condition. A complete renovation project started, which included total rewiring and a new central heating system, installing feature cast-iron radiators in all the downstairs rooms. “All the windows were replaced with powder coated metal framed double glazed units that not only keep the house warmer but add to the overall character.”

In a very clever move the house was joined to the existing barn, part of which was then converted into extra living accommodation with a feature entrance hall with minstrel gallery.

The end result is a whole host of character features which include beamed ceilings, oak doors, skirting boards and architraves, with mullion windows incorporating steel sealed unit double glazing.

It is also a versatile house, which thanks to its rather unique properties, offers the potential to create further accommodation in the adjoining barn, subject to relevant planning permission. Ideally suited to someone who is looking for a home with elegance, size and versatility, on the ground floor is a reception hallway, cloakroom, utility, music or hobbies room, a beautiful lounge with full length picture window with stone mullions, and an ornate wood fireplace, dining room with window seat, snug, and a luxury kitchen with bespoke units, granite work sufaces, central island unit, fitted Aga, integrated dishwasher and slate flooring. Upstairs is the master bedroom with range of wardrobes, en suite bathroom and a dressing room. The second bedroom has a window seat, fitted wardrobes, desk and drawers, and an office or study with fitted desk.

Off the inner hallway is a bathroom with four-piece suite, third bedroom with stone feature fireplace, and steps to the galleried landing overlooking the reception hall and two further bedrooms, and a luxury bathroom.

The owners consider it a privilege to live in a listed building. “We do feel like we are custodians as well as owners. We have kept and preserved many of the original features, such as the oak beams and the fireplaces.

“We have also added to the features by putting oak flooring throughout the downstairs and oak doors and skirting throughout the house. One of our favourite rooms is perhaps the dining room that contains the carved oak bookcases with their links to the Bronte Parsonage. The gardens were designed by the previous owners and all we have done is watch them grow and mature into the lovely gardens they are now.

“There is a completely enclosed garden at the rear of the property only accessed by the back door, and that has allowed our children to play in complete safety when they were younger, and the dogs have been free to go out without fear of disappearing.

“We have a host of wonderful memories from our years living in Croft House, but of all the things that we will miss, I think the garden will be near the top of the list.”