THERE were so many things they loved about Broadly Fold that just two days after seeing it, Alan and Kathleen Towse had bought the property.

On the outskirts of Kirkby, the cottage is in a truly tranquil setting, south facing, with off-road parking and an excellent aspect.

It is an outstanding, private and extended traditional country cottage with extensive mature gardens and a stream which can be seen from the conservatory. It has been fully improved to a high standard and in a stylish manner.

Inside are three bedrooms, two reception rooms, a kitchen, conservatory, bathroom, cloak room and a workshop.

Talking about the cottage, Alan said the gardens really sold it to his wife Kathleen because she loves gardening, but there was also one other reason they had to have it.

He explained: “Kathleen fell in love with the little stream which runs through the garden, it is something she has always wanted.”

The gardens have been planted in a natural style with mature beds and borders. Plants include orange blossom, an ornamental pear tree and magnolia tree enclosed within a perimeter hedge and stone wall.

In the decade they have spent in the house, many evenings have been spent in the garden, relaxing or enjoying a glass of wine in the peace and quiet.

While the garden was well stocked when the Towse's bought the property, the chance to enjoy it did not happen before an awful lot of work had been carried out.

Alan said: “We gutted it and put in a new kitchen, bathroom, stairs, floors, re-plastered and then added a massive extension.

“The extension gave us a very large kitchen with a window overlooking the gardens and a stable door and a large storage area. Where the old kitchen was we turned it into a workshop done to a habitable standard and created a third bedroom as upstairs we knocked two bedrooms into one big master.

“We put a Charnwood multi-fuel stove in the lounge, but while we have modernised the cottage we also kept many of the original features such as the oak beams.”

A lot of the work was carried out by Alan so everything was done to the highest standard.

The lounge is a superb family room with timber Farrow and Ball shaded double glazed windows and slate sills to the front and window to the back. The stove is a central feature with glazed doors, green slate hearth and oak lintel.

The second reception room has windows overlooking the garden and is an impressive room with cream limestone/marble style flags and cream decor. Double doors lead to the conservatory while an open archway gives access into the lounge.

Undoubted features of the conservatory are the slate-flagged floor, which is both attractive and practical, and the views of the garden.

The stunning kitchen has been fitted with modern painted oak (French grey), Shaker-style, base and wall units with brushed steel handles, soft closing doors, pelmet lighting and a white-ivory with speckle Silestone work surface. There is a handy breakfast bar and the stable door opens out to the terrace and garden with the estuary in the distance.

The stairs are a super oak-spindled staircase and the landing has access to the insulated/part boarded loft, doors to the two first floor bedrooms and the beautiful family bathroom.

The first bedroom has a nice view reflecting this home’s rural location, with tasteful antique white and pale beige carpet, while the second, with eye catching pine floor boarding, faces the front with stunning views of the garden and field beyond.

The bathroom has a superior five-piece suite with a free standing Queen Ann roll top bath and a glazed quadrant shower cubicle.

Alan added: “The neighbours are great and very quiet and then with the field beyond the house you just don’t get any noise.

“The cottage and garden are just a special little haven. We do love it and it is hard to sell, but we know it is time to downsize and I will do my last project to create our final home.”

Broadly Fold, Kirkby

Outstanding extended cottage £385,000

Corrie and Co Estate Agents (01229) 525333