EVERY man should have a shed. A little escape from it all spot, where the male of the species can potter away in perfect peace doing mysterious manly things.

Of course some sheds are better than others. David Brewer, for instance, has the ultimate in man-sheds. It’s a former LMS railway carriage! How cool is that?

But then David’s wife Joan can spare him his little hideaway. Because the gardens at their home, Meadow Croft, in Watson Garth, a tranquil backwater spot in the village of Appleton Roebuck, York, are, to say the least, extensive.

They are also famous.

Joan explained the background: “The garden was created from part of the adjoining field, now a good quality grass paddock, and has become a major feature of this property. Over the years there have been hundreds of visitors as it was opened as part of the National Garden Scheme and on behalf of other charities.

“It was filmed by Yorkshire Television and has been featured in magazines and books, and was even included in two editions of My Garden, a Japanese magazine – which resulted in a Japanese entrepreneur using it as a template for his English-style garden company in Japan. As a result, groups of Japanese gardeners have visited our garden.”

Big in Japan, as it were… Well, you certainly get the feeling you are coming to somewhere special when you approach the house along a sweeping 200ft-long lined drive which ends in a glorious riot of colourful trees and shrubbery to the front of the property.

The main gardens themselves face south and east and lie to three sides of the house with extensive lawned areas fringed by dense herbaceous borders and with a raised rockery and low-level ponds.

There are patio and terraced areas, a rose pergola and rose arbor and archways while you also have a delightful mini arboretum and an attractive side orchard where you can harvest your own apples, plums and pears.

And – with a nod to the fact that Joan ran a plant nursery – there is also a large barn complete with water, electricity and a polytunnel and two greenhouses and cold frames.

Oh, yes, and there is also the little matter of a three-acre paddock.

Simply stunning is perhaps the best way to sum it all up. And, while the pictures here were deliberately taken in the summer, this is very much a garden for all seasons.

And now, just in case you thought this was a property which was all about the outside, let us take you on a tour of the house.

Echoing the space on offer outside there is much to admire internally, with the ground floor boasting two big reception rooms, including a living room and then a lounge with a feature open fireplace and sliding patio doors – from which you can get a first glimpse of the garden grandeur. There is also a separate dining room opening to a sun room with french doors also opening to the garden.

The kitchen is a delight with a stylish range of built-in American light oak base units and a matching range of high-level storage and display units and a breakfast bar. Also to the ground floor you have a study/fifth bedroom and a bathroom.

Upstairs the master bedroom, which is south and west facing to make the most of sunny aspects, has an extensive range of built-in bedroom furniture, including wardrobes and cupboards, and enjoys a smart, modern en-suite shower room.

There are three further bedrooms, one with built-in wardrobes, and a house bathroom.

Add in a double garage and you have a tremendous package.

Just one reservation. Joan says that David’s railway carriage shed would “make an ideal den for children, as it is completely hidden by climbing roses”.

Please! Some things are sacred and this is one shed that is definitely far too good for children…

• Meadow Croft is offered for sale by Stephensons, who are looking for offers over £700,000. Phone: 01904 625533.