A barn for all the family; our HOUSE In association with gardinia Mary Queen of Scots once stopped here, it is said.

Byline: By EMMA DAVISON News Reporter

WHEN it comes to moving home Leigh and Mark Dolan really do keep it in the family.

The couple and their children were neighbours to Leigh's parents, Peter and Yvonne Stoker, when they lived near Beaumont Park.

So when they upped roots to their next home it was only natural that they followed suit.

Leigh says: "They went from living on the same street to living next door to us, which was quite handy really because we are very close!"

For the family it was all about the location when they were house-hunting.

So when they came across two barns in the idyllic Lower Maythorne Lane in Hepworth they knew they had found the perfect place for them.

Leigh says: "We absolutely loved the area; it was quite rural and seven acres of land came with the house, which was fantastic for the kids because it meant they could come and go as they wanted and play in the fields.

"It was such an idyllic location and the views, looking out across the green hills, were absolutely stunning."

There were two separate barns on the land when the couple, who own Hickory Dickory Dock day nursery in Fixby, bought it. They had the larger of the two while Leigh's parents bought the other, smaller barn.

Then three years ago, when Leigh's parents moved into Holmfirth, the couple bought their barn and decided to convert both barns into one huge property. They moved in with Leigh's parents while the building work took place.

For Leigh, the conversion meant that she was finally able to have the home of her dreams, both inside and out.

She says: "Having the conversion done meant we were able to add our own touches to the house and we used the opportunity to get the interior we had always wanted."

The huge house has some lovely original features and they have used a blend of modern and more traditional styles to furnish their home.

Some of the highlights include the superb modern kitchen, with its glossy white units and black worktops and stunning black and white chequered floor.

The main bathroom, one of four in the house, is also fantastic with its central boat-shaped bath - which Leigh was inspired to add after seeing it in a magazine - and lovely blue and white mosaic tiles.

The couple, who have four boys and another baby on the way, needed all the space they could get, so they were delighted when the completed conversion, which has five bedrooms, offered them all the room they could ever want.

The original barns date back to 1691 and Mary Queen of Scots is said to have stayed there.

Both buildings were derelict for some time before a builder bought them and converted them into two homes.

When the couple had them converted into one property they were keen to keep the original features.

They had a stone which was set into the wall outside the property and which bears the date 1691 moved into the dining room, making a lovely feature.

The Grade I listed building also has the original window frames upstairs and the wall to ceiling beam in the main lounge, which is a superb focal point.

The lounge is one of two that the family have, one of which doubles up as a playroom for the children, Adam, 12, Ross, 10, Kieran five, and four-year-old Jamie.

One of Leigh's favourite rooms is the lovely master bedroom, which has an adjoining dressing room, while her husband loves the outside space.

She says: "My husband is much more interested in the outside; there's a big area where he and the kids play football and they absolutely love it!"

But the family have decided to sell their home of five years because they want a new adventure abroad.

In the short term they plan to downsize and spend more time in the USA before moving out there permanently.

Leigh says: "We've had a villa in Florida for two years and we love it so much out there that we've decided to make it our permanent base.

"It's about the escape for us. The weather is fantastic and it'll be a great place to raise the children. We feel it can offer us all a better quality of life.

"My mum and dad have a property out there and my brother and his wife have lived there for the last three years and they love being there so we decided just to go for it. It'll definitely be a bonus having them close by.

"It'll be a fantastic opportunity and we're all really looking forward to getting out there and starting our next big adventure together."

Lower Maythorne Barn, Lower Maythorne Lane, Hepworth, is on the market for pounds 935,000. To arrange a viewing contact Simon Blyth estate agents on 01484 689689.

HAVE you an interesting story to tell about your house?

Whether it's amansion or amaisonette, if your home is onewe could feature we'd like to hear from you. Contact Emma Davison by email or by telephone on 01484 437763

Don't miss our complete property guide, homeswestyorkshire every Thursday

CAPTION(S):

PERIOD PIECE: Lower Maythorne Barn in Hepworth. The original barns date back to 1691 Pictures by Paul Welch (PW301008Bhouse-01); BARN CONVERSION: Lower Maythorne boasts original features and the Dolans have used a blend of modern and more traditional styles to furnish their home (PW301008Bhouse-06)