Standing at their upstairs windows, watching the morning mist rise from the fields, Roy and Janna often catch sight of deer and other wildlife. Their Juniper Gardens house looks right out across the open countryside and the quiet road they live on adds to the sense of semi-rural living. “We have these lovely field views from the bedroom and the garden,” Janna explains. “We often see hare out in the fields too – and all sorts of birds. We are lucky because it is such a tranquil place to live and yet it is also ideal for family life. We are close to schools, shops and parks and we are also within easy reach of major roads and the train station.”

SPACIOUS HOME

Thought to date back to around 1985, the house has been owned by the couple for some 25 years now. “It was the location that was initially so appealing,” Roy recalls. “The house was also a good size and ticked all the boxes at the time.” After moving in, Roy did carry out some remodelling work, removing walls between the drawing room and the kitchen, as well as putting a door in between the kitchen and the garage, to give the ground floor a much more open-plan feel. “There has been a new kitchen and bathroom in the time we have been here, and the house has been redecorated regularly,” he adds. “There is oak flooring throughout downstairs, and we also have LED spotlights.”

FAMILY LIVING

The open-plan layout has worked well for the family. “I enjoy being able to cook dinner in the kitchen and still keep an eye on the children,” Janna says. “It also works very well if you are entertaining friends or family.” The drawing room end of the space is a comfortable area, with ample space for soft seating and for everyone to gather round the television. The kitchen dining room features cream, high-gloss units, a Bosch dishwasher and wooden work surfaces. There is a peninsula with a breakfast bar for casual meals and room for a table and chairs. “The conservatory is used as a playroom – this is where we keep all the children’s toys, but it could have a variety of different uses.”

EXTENSION POTENTIAL

Upstairs, there are currently three bedrooms. The master bedroom looks out over the garden and towards the fields. “The space here has worked well for us, but (subject to the relevant planning permissions) there could be scope for new owners to extend out over the garage to create a fourth bedroom, or extend out the bac for increased living space” he suggests. “Some of the houses on the road have four bedrooms because they have gone out over the garage.” The garage, which can be accessed from the house, is currently used as an additional multi-function space. Part utility room, with a washing machine, it has also been a gym, with space for weights, and a pantry, with shelves for storage. “Again, there could be potential here to extend out into the garage to create a large, modern kitchen breakfast room, with bi-folding doors on to the garden perhaps.”

OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE

The conservatory opens on to a patio, which is covered by a pergola. This has been a magnificent extension of the indoor living space. “It has enabled us to sit outside during the spring and autumn months, as well as in summer,” Janna says. “We draw the curtains, gather around the fire and it becomes a lovely, cosy outdoor living space.” Roy has also considered installing a detached garden studio at the property. “There is plenty of room for something like this and it could be ideal for someone wanting to work from home,” he adds.

A FRIENDLY PLACE

As well as their flexible home and incredible views, it is the community they have become part of that the couple will miss most. “This is such a friendly place to live,” Janna remarks. “We have got to know a lot of the neighbours, there are community barbecues in the summer that people can join in with if they wish, and we have a neighbourhood watch. It is just seven minutes’ walk to the primary school and one minute to the bus stop. We have a shop and park within walking distance too – so everything we need is right here. When you combine that with the fact it is such a nice, quiet area and everyone is so friendly, it is easy to see why we have stayed so long.”

SETTING THE SCENE

To the front of the house there is ample space for two or three cars to park. There is also access to the garage. To the rear, the house opens on to a covered patio and pergola, as well as a good-sized family garden.

" Vendors Comments"

“We have these lovely field views from the bedroom and the garden.”

“We often see hare out in the fields – and all sorts of birds.”

“We are lucky because it is such a tranquil place to live and yet it is also ideal for family life.”

“We are close to schools, shops and parks and we are also within easy reach of major roads and the train station.”

“It was the location that was initially so appealing.”

“The house was a good size and ticked all the boxes at the time.”

“There is oak flooring throughout downstairs, and we also have LED spotlights.”

“I enjoy being able to cook dinner in the kitchen and still keep an eye on the children.

“The layout works very well if you are entertaining friends or family.”

“The drawing room end of the space is a comfortable area, with ample space for soft seating and for everyone to gather round the television.”

“The kitchen dining room features cream, high-gloss units, a Bosch dishwasher and wooden work surfaces. There is a peninsula with a breakfast bar for casual meals.”

“The garden room is used as a playroom – this is where we keep all the children’s toys, but it could have a variety of different uses.”

“Some of the houses on the road have four bedrooms because they have gone out over the garage.”

“The pergola has enabled us to sit outside during the spring and autumn months, as well as in summer. It becomes a lovely, cosy outdoor living space.”

“This is such a friendly place to live. We have got to know a lot of the neighbours and there are community barbecues in the summer that people can join in with if they wish.”