“THE great thing about the house,” says Faye Breckons, “is that it is so family friendly, it’s a great place for children.”

Faye is talking about Rowan House, her home in Towthorpe Road, Haxby, a pretty as a picture property on the road out of the village.

A house with a lovely flow to it, with plenty of space inside and out – including a child’s dream garden with lots of lawn and trees and a Hansel and Gretel summer house.

The ideal place, indeed, for raising a family.

And as if to prove the point Faye’s mum arrives, fresh from walking her two grandchildren to school… which is a mere five minute little legs stroll away.

“The location is another thing I love,” Faye adds. “I really like the location, we are on the edge of the village in a quiet spot and yet just a few minutes away from the school and the shops and all the amenities.”

It was that mix of location and family friendly layout that first attracted Faye and her husband, Andrew, to this house.

“My daughter was just five months old and we were looking for somewhere that would be good for a family,” Faye says, “and this just seemed ideal for us.”

It has remained that way in the four and a half years since – perhaps more so as the couple has made several improvements to the house in that time.

We start our tour in the heart of the home, the kitchen/breakfast room, a real wow factor spot and a stunning space with much to admire.

There is a stylish range of white-fronted Shaker style wall and base units to three sides and a chef’s dream Rangemaster-style Neff oven and five-ring Belling gas hob – while at the centre of it all stands an impressive preparation island.

There’s a host of integrated appliances including dishwasher, microwave and fridge freezer, while a separate but matching-in-style utility room houses the washing machine and a newly installed Worcester Bosch gas boiler.

The kitchen area slips seamlessly into a dining/family area which has French doors opening onto a raised decked area and leading to the garden beyond.

To the other side the kitchen opens to a playroom, games and toys tidily stacked away, and a comfy sofa standing on oak flooring.

suggesting that This would also be an ideal snug or second reception room.

At the moment, however, it is a perfect an ideal spot for the children to play while Faye is at work in the kitchen.

It’s part of what Faye means by the family-friendly flow: “If I am in the kitchen I can keep an eye on the children, whether they are in the playroom or if they are out in the garden.”

And, it’s also handy for grown-ups, too, providing an ideal dinner party or entertaining space, especially as doors from the kitchen open onto all the other downstairs rooms (as well as providing access to the garden for alfresco dining in the summer).

Talking of dinner parties, the first floor also has a super formal dining room with plenty of space for a long table and with (continuing the flow) doors opening onto the lounge.

This elegant lounge has lots of light streaming in through a square bay window to the front, with a window seat beneath, while at the heart of the room is a characterful white stone feature fireplace with inset living flame gas fire set on a stone hearth – more character touches come in the shape of ceiling coving and decorative architraves.

Now, we’re heading upstairs to discover another of the fine features of the house, the master bedroom with its great range of furniture including a long run of fitted wardrobes, drawers and a dressing table, and with plenty of room to pad around in.

There is also a super smart en-suite shower room – with a story to tell.

The Breckons were enjoying a five star hotel break in Portugal when Faye fell in love with the bathroom in their suite.

“I thought it was just brilliant and told Andrew that was what I wanted at home,” she says. “We took some pictures and when we got back Andrew recreated it for me.”

(It helps, we suppose, that the gallant Andrew, a surveyor, had experience as a builder and was able to put his skills to good use).

The result is indeed a boutique-style pleasure, an ultra modern, sleekly styled room with a walk-in shower with rainfall style shower head over.

The main house bathroom is a similarly modern and upgraded luxury room and big enough to service the three other double bedrooms on this floor (every one of them, in another nice touch, with fitted wardrobes).

In keeping with the surprisingly spacious nature of this home, there is also another bonus in the shape of a beautifully fitted home office with integral work surface, cupboards, drawers, filing cabinets and desk, sitting on a decorative Karndean floor.

All, in all, we have to say, this is a property which definitely fits Faye’s family home description – especially when you consider those extensive gardens which include a raised decking terrace, the large lawns, well-stocked planted borders, and the timber summer house and that fairytale Wendy house.

A great place that for children will enjoy to live in – and, we think, for grown-ups, will too!

At a glance

Reception rooms: Four Bedrooms: Four (plus a purpose-designed home office).

Gardens: Private, enclosed rear garden with patio and seating areas, summer house and Wendy house. Garden to front including off-street parking area and detached garage.

Wow factor: The breakfast kitchen and family area is a fantastic space – and the gardens are brilliant for little ‘uns.

Price: £475,000.

Contact: Stephensons. Tele: 01904 625533.