THE transition of a once-derelict farmhouse into a home was an ambitious undertaking for the Wade family. Over the past 30 years the family has turned rundown Broomdykes North farmhouse into an impressive home. Raymond and Sally Ann, Wade had just married when they came across the County Durham farmhouse. Raymond explains: “When we first bought it I used to say you could full the bath up without turning on the taps because of the gaps in the roof! We started from scratch.” The period farmhouse, near the village of Heighington, is set in attractive gardens with a three-acre paddock. Raymond said: “We think it’s about 200 years old. There were rumours that it used to be a pub . There is a lot of character. It’s a good looking house with lovely gardens.” There is an entrance hallway with marbled floors and exposed beams, cloakroom, a sitting room/dining room, family room, a breakfasting kitchen with Aga and a utility/pantry. The first floor has the master bedroom with en suite, three further bedrooms and a family bathroom. The large open plan family/garden room is a focal point of the house with tiled terracotta flooring, exposed stonework, a modern, wall-mounted coal-effect fire and double-opening French doors to the garden. “It’s an ideal family house great for entertaining,” said Raymond, a caterer. “There is an old cellar, wax terracotta tiled floors and open natural stone fireplaces.” A lot of work has gone into restoring the property and turning it into a much-loved family home: “We extended it three or four years ago and replaced all the windows – about 32 – and put in a new heating system.” With their daughter Louise, 17, taking her A-levels next year and with son Tom, 25, in South Australia and Samantha, 24, in London, Raymond and Sally Ann feel it’s time to move on. Raymond explained: “We want to downsize. It is an opportunity to move on and do something different.” The property has a detached cottage including a living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom which the family rent out. “We get £500 a month. It’s a nice chunk of the mortgage”, added Raymond. There is also a three-acre paddock and Dutch barn. Raymond said: “The round top Dutch barn could be used for commercial business, as we are only about two miles from the A1 and half a mile from Heighington. It is a nice village with a good pub and, most importantly, a good school and good community.” Broomdykes North, Houghton Bank, Heighington, is for sale through George F White for offers over £550,000, tel: (01833) 690390. | 
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