Designed by the current owners and built by a local construction company, Willow Lodge is an outstanding house surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens and grounds of around half an acre.

It is in an amazingly convenient location close to the town centre and offers beautifully appointed and versatile accommodation.

Owner Thomas Clint, a retired engineer who lives in the stone-built property with his wife Joan, also retired, said: “We designed Willow Lodge 14 years ago and TK Builders did a fantastic job of the construction.

“The main house is approached through a double-gated entrance flanked by stone walls and pillars and the sweeping drive is tree-lined on one side with a lawn on the other.

“The Cockshaw Burn runs through the grounds and when you come in here, there’s a feeling of leaving the town and entering the country.”

Willow Lodge has a covered portico sheltering its main entrance door which opens into a reception hall from oak flooring flows throughout the ground floor.

Half-glazed doors with bevelled glass panels open into the main reception rooms including a dual-aspect sitting room with bay window overlooking the gardens and Summerrods Dene.

This room has a magnificent solid marble fireplace with living-flame gas fire flanked by alcove cupboards. Ceiling coving and attractive radiator covers add to its charm. The dining room enjoys views to the south and west and includes a similar ceiling cornice and two pendant light fittings.

Also dual-aspect, the breakfasting kitchen has an excellent array of cream wall and floor cabinets with wood-block worktops, glazed display units and a plate rack. There is a deep Belfast sink with mixer tap, space for a range cooker with wide extractor canopy and an integral refrigerator and freezer.

A cloakroom completes the ground-floor accommodation.

Upstairs, there is a light and spacious central galleried landing with window and a light well, storage cupboard and drop-down access hatch.

The master bedroom has a dual aspect including a bay window overlooking the dene and an en-suite bathroom with full floor and wall tiling.

The further two double bedrooms have two windows, while the fourth bedroom is a good-sized single.

They share the lovely family bathroom which boasts a freestanding cast-iron bath with, corner shower cubicle and floor and wall tiling.

On the lower ground floor of Willow Lodge is an excellent range of additional living and storage space, fully tiled with underfloor heating. A shower room and utility are found here.

A door opens into the snug/sitting room and another leads to the conservatory which opens onto an extensive stone-flagged terrace.

Thomas said: “One of the lovely things about the gardens, which we designed and landscaped ourselves, is this large patio built of natural stone to three sides, which provides alternative seating areas and complements the wrap-around gardens.”

Ample parking is provided on the driveway in front of the double garage which has twin roller shutter doors and an internal door to the lower ground hallway. It also has a useful store room with tiled floor, shelves, hanging rail and underfloor heating.

“We don’t have a favourite spot but love all of our home,” Thomas said. “It’s in a great location, just a five-minute walk into town, and we’re really going to miss that, plus the lovely gardens.

“But we’re moving to be closer to our son, daughter and grandchildren and are looking forward to beginning the next stage of our lives.”