It’s been 12 years, but the owners of Stone Cottage love their home just as much today as they did when they moved in.

“It’s a unique property. While on the edge of suburbia, it still enjoys a wonderful rural feel, as evidenced by horses or tractors milling up and down the lane,” the owner says.

“The fields beyond the house are usually full of lambs in the spring. During silage season, the fields are bombarded by Lapwings with their glorious birdsong. We also enjoy owls, bats and a visiting heron in flight to and from our neighbour’s pond.”

When they first saw the house, the couple could see the potential.

“It had long been our desire to live in Eldwick,” he says. “While dog walking and exploring the surrounding countryside, we happened upon Stone Cottage. The big ‘wow’ factor, apart from the ability and scope to totally renovate and extend, was the stable block, which was a unique addition to the property.

“It was used as a children’s den for the previous owners, but is just a great additional separate space. My wife used it as an art studio due to the natural light streaming through the picture window, and it is now used as a home office upstairs and excess clutter/garden/log storage downstairs. But the building could be converted to a self-contained bijou dwelling, a hobbies room or – in the event any purchaser has some musically-gifted children – it would made a great rehearsal studio.”

The owners understand the house was built in the mid-1800s for a doctor, and while the small stable block is still there, what is now the garage originally housed a horse-drawn carriage. It’s a charming and unique property set in an idyllic location, overlooking the moors and the local beauty spot of Shipley Glen.

The couple set about transforming the house. As well as an extension with dining kitchen, bedroom and spacious en-suite, the house was totally redecorated and some internal remodeling took place.

The original kitchen is now a substantial utility room, and the original downstairs toilet has been separated into a study and toilet. The dining room remained as it was for a few years before the couple changed the use to an additional lounge – “somewhere our children could relax with their multitude of electronic games and friends”.

“Our dining area is in the kitchen. It’s the hub of the house – family meals and general entertaining is always here.”

By the time they had finished, the owners had a substantial five-bedroom home with sash windows at the front. There’s a marble fire surround in the lounge, which also had deep-moulded ceiling cornicing and picture rail, while the sitting room has a fitted multi-fuel stove. The breakfast kitchen has a quality range of oak-fronted units, farmhouse style cooker, plenty of integrated appliances and double doors to the front garden.

Upstairs, the master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom, while the remaining bedrooms have either a laminate or wooden floor.

The stable block is imaginatively named Pebble Cottage due to its size in comparison to the main house.

“Our favourite room is the kitchen – it’s a good size and a great family and friends room,” the owner adds.

“One of the bedrooms has a quirky shape and benefits from great views overlooking the moors and the Glen.

Three of the five bedrooms enjoy the same aspect.

“All the downstairs living rooms enjoy the garden view and the unspoilt Glen beyond.”

The house stands in large gardens, where the family spends a lot of time.

“As our boys developed an interest in anything with a ball, we decided to landscape it to just lawn, although there are still well-stocked borders at the edge of the patio.

“Beyond the lawn is a secret garden, named as such because we don’t use it! There are paths and some raised flower beds, trees and shrubs. It would be an ideal location for an enthusiastic vegetable-grower to employ their green fingers. Because we kept hens for a number of years, the soil will be wonderfully fertilised.

“The secret garden also holds the potential to use for another home to be built, possibly a bungalow, if planning permission could be obtained.

“Our children will be leaving home over the next couple of years, so we are looking to find a smaller property. What we will miss the most is probably the size, and the constant noise and laughter of our children.”

Stone Cottage in Sheriff Lane,Eldwick, is on the market for £525,000 with Dacre, Son & Hartley, Bingley, tel (01274) 560421.