When Amanda and Richard Smith were searching for a new home, they knew exactly what they were looking for.

“We wanted somewhere in the country, but close to amenities,” says Amanda.

Manor House Barn turned out to be exactly what they were hunting for – a brand new property standing on the same footprint of the original barn which served the neighbouring 17th century manor house.

“It was stunning, because the builder had used, wherever possible, some of the original material, either from the barn or sourced from other buildings on the land,” Amanda says. “It combined all the mod cons we take for granted, as well as character features.

“The structure had just been completed, so there were still some things we could finish off when we moved in; like putting in a bathroom and decorating.”

That was six years ago, and Amanda, Richard and children Isobel and Finlay have loved living here.

“Around the house you feel like you are in the country, but just at the end of the street there are all the amenities of Birkenshaw. We’ve also got some great neighbours, and some of them have four legs,” says Amanda.

The four-legged neighbours are horses and ponies on the riding stables on the farm, where Isobel enjoys her riding lessons.

Manor House Barn is a large family house with five bedrooms – the master having an en-suite – three reception rooms, dining kitchen, utility area and bathroom, under-floor heating system to the whole house, internal vacuum system and integral double garage. It’s sometimes difficult to get character in a relatively new building, but the use of re-claimed traditional materials makes the barn seem as though it has been there for years, as it sits quite happily in the landscape.

There is a dining hall with double oak doors into the lounge, which has a farmhouse style brick fireplace, and a sitting room with wooden floor which is an ideal multi-purpose room. A superbly-equipped dining kitchen has light beech units with display cabinets, breakfast bar and island unit – all with granite worktops – natural stone tiled floor and range cooker.

Also on the ground floor is an inner hall, fully-tiled cloakroom and good-sized utility room. All the reception rooms have ceiling beams and oak skirting boards.

“The dining room is my favourite because of the big barn window. It always feels sunny and you can see all of the downstairs because it’s quite open plan,” says Amanda.

On the first floor, the master bedroom is an impressive space with a high, pitched ceiling, air conditioning, windows on two sides and a modern white en-suite with fitted overhead shower, tiled walls and tiled floor.

There is also a house bathroom with a free-standing roll top bath, twin wash basins and oversized corner shower cubicle, three-quarter tiled walls and tiled floor.

“It’s a lovely warm house, and it’s also very efficient. I love its character – a mix of the history of the area and all the modern conveniences,” Amanda adds.

“I love the fact that it’s very quiet, but not isolated. You have peace and privacy but don’t feel lonely or cut-off.”

At the front of the house is a low maintenance garden with decked terrace and double driveway, and there’s an enclosed garden at the back with flagged patio and summer house.

“It’s a great garden for children, because it’s fully enclosed so you know they are safe. We spend a lot of time out there and it gets the sun all day.”

Manor House Barn, Moorhouse Lane, Birkenshaw. Price: £575,000 (stamp duty paid) Agent: Robert Watts, Birkenshaw (01274) 689589.