This beautifully refurbished property was extensively renovated by the current owners, Ian and Dawn Lewis-Dalby when they moved there more than seven years ago, having been originally converted in the 1970s.

Dawn said: "When we first saw this property we fell in love with its character, layout and spaciousness which, together with garden and stables, gave us the project we were looking for in early retirement.

‘When viewed from the road, the house is very deceptive, but as soon as we stepped inside we knew immediately the property was for us.

"The layout is superb and flows well with large, airy rooms and is a wonderful home for entertaining and for a busy family life."

Exposed sandstone quoins surround the original barn entrance and new double entrance doors with large glass windows above were added to give the galleried entrance hall even more light.

New stairs were installed with an oak-styled Karndean floor and at the rear of the hall a cloakroom leading to very useful understairs storage.

A well-proportioned lounge has a large bay window to the front and double-glazed doors leading into the garden room. The lounge also features a stone fireplace and large hearth with a multi-fuel stove. The characterful ceiling beams have been painted antique cream.

On the opposite side of the hall is the formal dining room with bay window to the front and second door to the kitchen. Again, the beams are painted in antique cream.

Dawn said: "The clean, neutral pallet throughout the home affords the opportunity for anyone buying the home to move straight in and make it their own.

She and Ian completely remodelled the kitchen, introducing granite worktops, wall and floor cupboards, a large Neff induction hob, double oven, grill and microwave, Bosch dish washer, wine cooler and a full-length integrated fridge alongside a full-length integrated freezer together with a breakfast bar with seating.

A large picture window looks out to the garden with one door to the garage and another into the adjoining garden room which has been refurbished and is used for dining as well as living on an almost daily basis.

"We use this room so much," Ian said. "It has lovely views to the garden and as well as relaxing, watching television or the many birds in the garden, we also dine in here ourselves and with family and friends, unless we’re having a formal dinner party when we will use the dining room.

"It has a cast-iron Morso stove and we added two radiators for cooler nights. We had a new double-glazed, argon-filled roof installed to which we added blinds for the sunnier days."

Upstairs is a superb master suite with views across open countryside to Scotland and a walk-through dressing room and impressive en-suite shower room.

The two further bedrooms are both good-sized doubles and the family bathroom has a five-piece suite.

"The glorious cottage garden is a joy," said Ian. "There are seating areas to enjoy different views of the garden, with its mature trees, shrubs and plants and the old stables.

"Sandstone stepping stones lead to a wonderful clematis-bearing arch through which is another smaller lawn and rockeries, flowing round to plum and apple trees, before opening out into the vegetable garden with fruit bushes and netted raspberry canes. With open views across the fields, this is a wonderful hidden gem of a garden."

Ian and Dawn love the village, their lovely home and beautiful garden, but are now looking to live near to their new grandchild.

‘We have made good friends in the village and there is a good community spirit here, through its village hall, the church, school and local pub, plus the great beauty salon just along the road!"

The Barn, Parsonby, is for sale at £375,000 from PFK Estate Agents. Find out more here .