Extended and luxury family home set in 10 acres of land

B ACK in 1988 this house was a bit of a wreck and probably a bit closer to its agricultural origins than Pam and Mike would have liked. Pam says: "When we moved in it was late October and the place was in a real state.

"Mike put two heaters in the bedrooms but it didn't do much good because the windows had fallen out. We had two buckets catching the drips from the immersion heater and I had to use a stick to switch it on because the wiring was a bit dodgy and I didn't want to touch it. We've changed it a bit over the years.''

"Changed a bit...'' has to be the understatement of the year because Mount Pleasant Farm, at Windycote Lane, Dilhorne, is today a superb, extended and luxury family home with plenty of room for youngsters to have their own space inside the house and the ten acres or so of land around it lends itself to visions of equestrian pursuits.

You're around 1,000 feet above sea level when you visit the property and as you might expect the views are pretty expansive but you can dispel any doubts about the local environment because despite the name of the lane – "It's the only Windycote Lane in the UK'', says Pam – the house is as warm as toast.

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Approached over a cobbled drive, the impressive stone farmhouse welcomes you with a front porch with two coloured porthole windows and a big reception hall with the stairs leading to the galleried landing.

Each room has its own character and finished to a very high standard. The fitted kitchen, for example, is bespoke and has integrated appliances, a generous amount of storage, a canopied breakfast bar and the Belfast sink and range cooker look perfectly appropriate here.

The dining room features a lovely log burner – "it's the second we've had and they are brilliant'' – sitting in an inglenook fireplace and the mantle is made from a reclaimed railway sleeper. There is a very cosy sitting room with an open fire and double doors leading to a large lounge, some 26 feet by 11, which is filled with light courtesy of plenty of windows and a pair of French doors. Stairs at one side lead down to the cellar beneath it that is ideal for storage or a bar.

There is also a utility room which, according to Pam, is where calves used to be kept in this building's former use, and, in an unusual touch, a downstairs shower room/w.c. too. For a large family that might come in very handy.

Going up the stairs takes you to a galleried landing and on to the bedrooms. There are three and bearing in mind that this is a big house, it is no surprise that they are all of generous proportions.

The master bedroom has a range of bespoke fitted furniture and wood effect laminate flooring and beyond is a large en suite and definitely luxury shower room with a double enclosure. The other two bedrooms are all of a good size and as with all the rooms up on this level, enjoy far reaching and lovely views over the surrounding fields.

The family bathroom has a sunken bath which makes something of a feature.

As you might imagine, with approximately ten acres of land included there is no shortage of space outside for parking, gardening or just about any outdoor leisure pursuit you can think of.

There are a couple of other points which need making. The first is that the stamp duty will be paid by the vendor and on a house of this value that makes quite a big saving and there is no chain involved.

It's also worth pointing out that one of the aspects which first attracted the couple is still equally valid today. Pam says: "One of things we needed was a house that gives us the rural quality of life but also good access to the Potteries. We are only ten minutes or so from the city centre which surprises people who think that we live out in the country. We do but that does not mean we are miles way. It's location is perfect.''