INSIDE STORY: Modernised Barrow home is a real stand-out

Having moved from her home town of Bolton with husband Mike, who wanted to go back to Barrow, his place of birth, Katherine says she would never leave now because it is such a "lovely place to live".

Their very well presented, extended and improved home has been kept up-to-date thanks to the couple decorating and modernising its many times over the years.

This includes a recently-installed shower room and a new central heating Glowworm boiler, which was fitted in July this year.

The house sits in an elevated position and has steps leading up to the entrance door. The gardens enclose the front and side of the property with a shaped lawn, colourful borders, patio with summer house and plenty of space to sit in private.

Situated in Hollow Lane means it has superb access to schools, from nursery right through to secondary school and Sixth Form College.

A regular bus service travels close by connecting residents with the wider parts of Barrow.

The popular Strawberry and Farmers Arms pubs are both within walking distance and part of the local community.

Talking about their home, Katherine said: "We have always kept refreshing the decorating and kept on top of things and maintained it really well.

"We have changed things over the years including making the long kitchen into a kitchen diner which is so much better.

"It is so good when we have people over which we do quite a lot. It is also really nice at Christmas with the grandchildren playing in here and everyone is together. I have a tree inside and one outside and at night you can see the lights through the doors opening into the garden at the side.

"We had the French-style patio doors put in and the garden is south-facing so gets a lot of sun."

The dining room now flows freely into what was the former kitchen and it has also created a comfortable seating area.

The high-quality kitchen has plenty of units and includes a gas-fired Rangemaster cooker with cooker hood, an integrated fridge and a dishwasher.

Beyond the kitchen is the utility room which has matching fitted units and plumbing for a washing machine plus space for a clothes dryer with a wall vent. It also has a door into the attached garage which is currently a workshop for Mike.

Katherine added: "We have kept the decor neutral all through the house when we have re-decorated and all the curtains are included in the sale.

"We have added modern touches such as the flooring which looks good but is also practical and we have had the loft insulated.

"It is such a warm house and has a such a homely feel which we noticed from day one and there is a lovely flow to the house.

"We had looked at four houses that day but this one just stood out and we felt attached to it straight away."

The lounge at the front of the house has a central fireplace and a bay window overlooking the front garden.

The eye-catching wood staircase in the naturally light entrance hall has its own unique craved touches courtesy of Mike's handy work.

Under the staircase is a cleverly concealed WC/washroom fitted with a classic two-piece suite.

Going up the stairs the landing has doors leading into each of the three bedrooms, including two doubles, one of which offers wall-to-wall fitted wardrobes.

The third bedroom is a traditional single bedroom that easily accommodates a set of bunk beds and drawers.

The shower room has been beautifully finished with white tiling complementing the sanitary ware which includes a WC, wash hand basin and a large walk-in double shower enclosure.

The room has two external windows, a ladder style radiator and also a boiler cupboard with a newly installed gas boiler.

Katherine said: "We did spend quite a lot on the new bathroom which now has a shower and no bath. There is a Laura Ashley sink and a comfortable toilet.

"We do love the house and the neighbourhood but we know that it is the right time and we are the right age to downsize."

64 Hollow Lane, Barrow

Extended and improved £225,000

Poole Townsend (01229) 811811