The Robun family see their characterful Heaton home as something of a hidden gem.

“My wife had seen the property a few times on the internet and was curious about it, so we thought we’d have a closer look,” says Iqbal Robun. “You would never have known it was here if you hadn’t driven down the private road. It was like a hidden gem.

“What really struck me was the living room; mainly the feature stone fireplace and the original ornate decorative ceiling. From the main entrance through the hall into the living room, I was amazed at the quality of the structure, as so much of the house was original. After searching for a character property for a while, this really stood out.”

He was also impressed by the sense of space throughout, with high ceilings and large family sized rooms, great for family get-togethers.

“The original Aga was a nice surprise upon viewing, and it remains part of our kitchen today,” he adds.

Built around 1924, this is a substantial home in a quiet cul-de-sac. It has an entrance porch, hall, lounge, dining room, kitchen and adjoining breakfast room, cloakroom with shower, four bedrooms, bathroom and separate WC.

The house was built replicating old techniques with modern material for that time, which you can see in the oak staircase and several quirky features.

“We could see through the dated interior decor and realise the potential,” Iqbal adds. All it needed was bringing up to date to become a functioning family home for himself, his wife and three children.

“Within weeks, we had replaced all the old central heating piping and installed a new boiler, keeping the cast iron radiators as this maintains the character throughout and they happen to be very efficient,” he says.

The kitchen was in need of modernisation, so was replaced. To maintain the original flow of the house, they decided not to open up the original breakfast room or remove the existing storage cupboards.

“Most of the decorative works have been done gradually, as we needed to live in the house first to find the right schemes of colour and themes.

“The last thing to be done was replacing the old single-glazed windows with double-glazing. This was a hard decision, but to make it an energy-efficient home it had to be done. After many discussions with the glazing company, and researching other period properties, it was decided to opt for a wood effect to be more in keeping.”

From the porch, there is a magnificent, custom-made wooden door and tiled floor. In the hall, the staircase is oak, there are three original stained glass leaded windows and a coved ceiling.

“The living room is full of character, and the fireplace is rumoured to have originated from the old Bradford Grammar School,” Iqbal says. “The original and decorative ceiling structure is amazing, along with the original picture rails and curtain boards, and the mullion stone surrounding the windows. The old character seeps though.”

A new bathroom suite was installed to accommodate a busy family. There’s a spa bath, twin vanity units and separate shower cubicle, along with heated towel rails.

“We then concentrated on more cosmetic improvements. I think there was only one minor delay – having a baby – but on the whole everything has been done smoothly.”

An unusual feature of the house is the conservatory, which is attached to the garage.

“It was sited there when we viewed the property. We thought it strange, but after an early evening viewing we knew why. It’s a lovely, quiet place to sit at anytime, but particularly in the summer as the sun sets in the back – my wife enjoys a cup of tea and to read a book listening to the birds enjoying that last little sunshine of the day.

“All the rooms are lovely in their own way, but the living room oozes character. In the summertime, it’s a light, bright and really peaceful place to relax. With direct access to the south-facing garden, we can really bring the outdoors inside and enjoy the garden literally from an armchair.

“In winter, it’s a picture postcard effect. The warmth of the fire and the decor really make it a cosy night in. Being able to view the garden through the French doors after a snowfall is just beautiful.”

The property has such a private and secluded garden that it can be enjoyed throughout the year.

“The children play in the large rhododendron bushes and trees, and get lost in their own little world,” Iqbal adds. “We enjoy all-day sunshine, which is excellent when entertaining.

“Apart from the obvious beauty and rewards of owning a house of this calibre, the street itself is what we will miss. As it’s on a private road, there is a real community spirit, in a non-invasive way. There are the pretty street lamps lit up in the evening, the peace and quiet, and fantastic neighbours whom you can always rely on for that cup of sugar – we will miss all that.”

This property in Highfield Gardens, Heaton, is on the market for £345,000 with Dacre, Son & Hartley, Saltaire, tel (01274) 581794, web www.dacres.co.uk