Imagine it’s the depths of winter and, while everyone else is huddled in front of the fire, you are lazing in a hot tub, enjoying the twinkling lights of far-away homes across the valley.

Well that’s what Michael and Tania Parker and their two children get to enjoy whenever they want.

“The best thing about the hot tub is that you can jump in any time,” says Michael. “The views across the valley are fantastic – it takes all the stresses away in a breath. It’s 39 degrees, and we’ve spent some very cold New Year’s Eves in there. The children love to use it with their friends.”

Of course, this house isn’t just about a hot tub. It’s a modern four bedroom home with living room, conservatory, dining room, study, breakfast kitchen and utility room on the ground floor, with a master bedroom with en-suite shower room, three further bedrooms and a family bathroom upstairs.

“We fell in love with the size of the place, with its light and airy rooms – which you don’t often see in a new house,” says Michael.

“With its part-galleried landing, the entrance hall gives you a real feeling of space.”

After moving in five years ago, the family set to work. They have updated the bathrooms to make them warmer and more fashionable, starting with the en-suite in the master bedroom.

“We removed the shower cubicle and fitted a 21st century shower/steam unit complete with foot massage, steam, seat, LED lights and a radio, then finished it off with a new floor. The other bathroom was decorated with warm colours to compliment its new fittings,” Michael adds.

The house was decorated from top to bottom this year, with new carpets and curtains.

“The light fittings in the living and dining rooms were replaced with high specification chrome fittings, with touch-sensitive switches that you can set to any level.

“The office has been fitted out with two computers with matching desks, chairs and cupboards to create an easy workable area. With two children, life is made so much easier when they each have the same and are not fighting to use it.”

Installing the hot tub was no easy task. The family wanted a large eight-seater tub, which required planning permission.

“We had to design the gazebo to suit the tub so that we had enough space to change in it,” Michael recalls.

“We decided on a Canadian cedar gazebo, which is built to withstand extreme weather conditions and has removable doors and windows, creating a more spacious feeling. All the windows and doors are fitted with clear plastic for safety, while the roof has a clear dome, letting in even more light.”

After the decking was built, the hot tub was craned into position over the wall. Then came the gazebo, which has two double doors so that the tub can be removed. “We thought it would take up the whole garden, but amazingly it only uses about an eighth of the space,” Michael says.

“My favourite room is the conservatory, because it is light, spacious and warm, with under-floor heating for winter and air-conditioning for summer – the best of both worlds. There are also double doors to the patio, from which we can watch the children playing.”

The garden has been filled with perennial flowers around the border for easy maintenance, with a lawn in the middle with space for a trampoline and football nets.

There’s a patio which gets the sun all day, a dry stone wall running around the house and garden, and an attached double garage.

“The garden has fantastic views over fields and the valley, which is green belt so can’t be built on. It’s an entirely secure area for children to play in safely.

“For the last five years we have had the ability to live in a great friendly neighbourhood, but still have the privacy when required. But I think I will miss the hot tub the most.”

This property in Oakhall Park, Thornton, is on the market for £299,995 with Your Move, Bradford, tel (01274) 733644, web www.your-move.co.uk