We have a beautiful semi detached Swedish Timber House in the rural staffordshire countryside. It is the only council house in the hamlet of Bowers in the village of Standon (ST21 6RW). This is like no other council house, as it is made of Swedish Timber with brick foundations and not all brick. A lot of time, effort and money have gone in to making this house a real Country Cottage home over the years and it is much loved by all. Bowers is a lovely quaint hamlet with no trouble or noise, it is very quiet with very little traffic.
There is a first school (age 4 - 9yrs) 5 minutes walk down the lane, the middle school (9 - 13yrs) and high school (13 - 18yrs) is in Stone which is 5 miles away but a school bus for both picks the children up right outside the house and brings them home again. Although we are rural we are only 5 miles from Eccleshall and Stone both of which have Doctors, Dentists, Post Office, Pubs and Shops, Garages. We are approx. 8 miles from Newcastle under Lyme which is the closest big town, approx 12 miles to Stafford. We are approx 6 miles from junction 15 of the M6.
Now to the garden.
We have a very large fully landscaped back garden that measures approx. 90ft x 55ft. There is a main decking area adjoining the back of the house overlooking the large fish pond. There is also a 20ft circular decking which we originally built to take a swimming pool. This section of garden is cut in half with half grass and half graveled, there is a pergoda running up the central path of the garden. There are 2 sheds at the top of the garden. There is also a further 40ft x 25ft garden that wraps around the side of the garage which is lawn with an apple tree. There is parking for 2 cars in the driveway in front of the garage and a small gravelled front garden.
Now to the house.
The kitchen is newly fitted in December 2008 and is split level. The lower level measures 9.3ft x 9.3ft and has the sink, cupboards and dining table. Off this area is the downstairs toilet, ultility room and coal house.
The upper level measures 9.2ft x 7ft and has the cooker, fridge, fitted cupboards, worktops and walk in pantry.
The living room measures 14ft x 12.6ft and bay window overlooking the back garden and real fire.
Next to the living room is the dining room measuring 11ft x 9.4ft and is currently used as a 4th bedroom. This has french doors leading onto the main decking and also has a real fire in it and a large fitted cupboard.
There is a spacious hallway leading to the stairs, we currently have this set up a computer work area. It has fitted shelving and 2 fitted cupboards.
The bathroom is upstairs and was newly fitted in December 2008, it has a over bath shower and a large fitted cupboard.
The main bedroom measures 13.3ft x 11.2ft, it has fitted wardrobes and cupboards on 2 sides of the room and overlooks the back garden.
The 2nd bedroom is also a double and measures 11ft x 9ft and has 3 fitted cupboards 2 of which have hanging space.
The 3rd bedroom measures 10ft x 7ft and this also has a fitted cupboard.
There is a huge loft which has been boarded and carpeted, this has been used as a childrens play/hobby room. There is power and a fitted ladder also.
There is also a smaller loft above the coalhouse which is also boarded with power and used for storage.
All internal doors have been changed to pine slat doors to keep with the character of the house.
All new UPVC windows were fitted 4 years ago and we are due to have a new front and back door fitted.
The house has solid fuel heating that is run from the coal fire, there is currently an option to have the heating changed to cylinder gas at the discretion of the tenant. There is no mains gas in the hamlet or surrounding villages. There is high speed broadband to the village.
We are looking for a 3/4 bedroomed house, most areas considered but would be nice to be coastal. We do not want large estates as we like our peace and quiet but we do need to take into account jobs so we will be flexible for the right property. We are happy with new build or older properties.
We would definitely like a kitchen/diner, a garage or large outbuilding/shed, and within walking distance of a pub and shops and also a bus route.
Garden size is unimportant to us. Off road parking would be a bonus.
The only thing stopping us moving immediatly is we need to save for the removal costs but would like to make this move as soon as possible.
Anyone responding to this could you please send photos of your house.
Sorry in advance for being picky but we want this move to be to our forever house.
http://s633.photobucket.com/albums/uu56/barrowfish/
I got my exchange listed on here as i am a member on http://www.councilexchangesite.co.uk