Stunning views are on offer from this warm and inviting three-bedroom cottage set in the heart of Brown Edge. Liz Rowley takes a look around.

W HEN Marylyn Chadwick walked into her current home in High Lane, Brown Edge, it's fair to say it was love at first sight. With nothing in mind but the picturesque location, she was instantly bowled over by the cosy beauty of the three-bedroom property she shared with late husband Gordon for nine years.

"We only moved from Stockton Brook, but we both felt like a change and when I walked in I loved it straight away," says the 60-year-old, pictured left, who now lives with her dogs Meg and Penny. "Gordon passed away in April this year and now the house is too big for me to live in on my own so I'm hoping to move to something a little smaller."

Built in 1790, this mature cottage was formerly a large farmhouse which was divided into two cottages. Marylyn now lives in the larger of the two, which backs on to open fields and woodland.

"I think the house just has something special about it," she says. "The rear of the property is particularly nice because all the land is greenbelt so it can't be built on.

"It's perfect, really, because on the one hand you're close enough to neighbours to feel safe and secure, but on the other the fields offer a lot of privacy.

"Everything you can think of has been done. The windows were all white when we moved in so we changed those to brown. We re-plastered all the walls and replaced the doors, added a conservatory with French doors leading into the lounge and redid both the kitchen and bathroom."

One of the most appealing things about the property is the fact that when they were renovating, the couple chose to use all reclaimed Victorian wood for the doors, skirting boards and fitted wardrobes.

"There are lots of nice features to the house," says Marylyn. "Because it's a cottage, the bedrooms are only small, but they are very cosy and the views over the fields are beautiful any time of year."

An enticing warmth from the slate fireplace and hearth spreads throughout the house. French doors lead to the large conservatory, and from here the views of the quaint, well-kept garden and fields are almost too good to be true.

"Gordon loved his garden and would spend hours sitting in the conservatory," says Marylyn. "I don't use it as much now, but when it's warmer I do spend a lot of time outside because it's so peaceful.

"I love the lounge. Underneath the carpet is the original slate floor and there's nothing nicer than putting the fire on and getting comfy."

The couple also made good use of the Victorian bath in the family bathroom.

"When we redid the bathroom, we decided to keep the bath because it was such good quality," she says. "It needed a bit of work, but it was worth it.

"I use the bath a lot and because of this we never fitted a shower, but all the plumbing is in place should anyone want to add one."

The kitchen, which includes all fitted appliances, is neat and compact, but Marylyn believes there is plenty of room for expansion.

"We have a large walk-in pantry and downstairs toilet and I think they can be knocked through if people want to make a larger kitchen or breakfast room.

"It sounds weird I know, but this is a house you have to get involved in and because of this I think the house will choose its new owners.

"I think it would suit a nice couple, but it needs to be someone who can make use of everything it has to offer. Gordon loved living here and I'll miss living here a lot."