WHILE Hayley and Steve Harmison’s four-bedroom detached home would provide more than enough space for most families – it’s a different story when you have four children. The couple have their hands full with Emily, 10, Abbie, seven, Isabel, three, and Charlie, two. And although they have “spent a fortune” refurbishing their spacious 1950s home on sought-after Wansbeck Road, Ashington, Northumberland, they’ve just bought a large 18th-Century Grade II-listed farmhouse on the outskirts of the town, which will give the children a bedroom each.
“That’s the only reason we’re moving,” says Hayley. “Because two of them are sharing at the moment.” Steve and Hayley have lived in the house for six years and were first attracted by the size of the garden and the location. “Wansbeck First School is at the top of the road and it’s a very good school,” says Hayley. “There’s plenty of space in the garden for a children’s play area and it backs on to school fields so it’s not overlooked. “It’s also close to the coast, so you can have days out at Alnwick, Warkworth, Seahouses and Bamburgh. And it’s handy for the A1. You can be in Newcastle in 20 minutes.” Hayley says Wansbeck Road is “where most people want to be” in Ashington. “There are some nice big houses here,” she adds. And they’ve spared no expense in putting their own stamp on the property. “We’ve changed everything,” says Hayley. “Every wall’s been skimmed. We’ve replaced the kitchen and bathrooms, changed all the lighting and added fitted wardrobes.” The first thing you notice is the open hallway, which is large enough to be a room in itself. From here there is a lounge/diner measuring 37ft 6in by 18ft, which Hayley says is “the grown-ups’ space” and great for entertaining. But it’s the second reception room, which leads off the kitchen which gets used most by the family. “I spend my life in here,” says Hayley. “It’s also linked to the conservatory so I can keep an eye on the kids when they’re playing.” Also on the ground floor is a utility room and cloakroom. Upstairs there is an airy landing with two windows which leads to four bedrooms. The family bathroom has a Jacuzzi bath and separate shower cubicle. There is off-street parking for several cars as well as an attached garage. The couple have reduced the price of the property from £420,000 to £349,950 and are planning to move temporarily to their log cabin in Swarland while renovation work is done on their new home. The house is for sale through Pattinson Estate Agency, tel: 0845 146 1581. | 
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