Jon and Susanne Steward started married life in Shropshire and were happily settling into a new home when he was offered a job in Stocksfield. With one son at primary school, and another just weeks old, the new job was unexpected and the couple spent the next six months back and forth on the M6, looking for a place up here.

That was 21 years ago and the house the Stewards made their family home is the one they are now reluctantly selling.

It’s an impressive, bay-fronted Edwardian terrace and ticked a lot of boxes for the couple.

Susanne said: “Jon’s need to be near sports facilities was important for his time outside of work, but so was my need to find a house that had a heart and a personality.

“Creating and maintaining a home is what makes me tick and a lot of my hobbies are home-based, so finding the property that inspired and supported that was also important.”

Luckily, the Woodlands property fitted the bill: “We wanted a property that gave us good-sized reception rooms, four bedrooms and potential to add more living space,” said Susanne.

“We loved the open fires, gardens and the privacy and sociability that Woodlands could offer. The proportions of the rooms give both cosiness and space for family and friends to get together.

“Speaking of the needs of family generations, the back lane is one of the huge bonuses to Woodlands, giving safe play space for the children from toddler stage all the way through.

“There is a well-established back lane community feel and an annual get-together in August for everyone to catch up with neighbours in the area.”

Jon and Susanne have two sons, Chris and Harry. Chris and his fiancee Helen have children Ruby, three, and Jac, 18 months, who Susanne looks after several days a week.

Since moving to Woodlands, the Stewards have improved the property to create a delightful family home that is presented in a style that complements its age and original features.

“When we first viewed the property, it was clear that we would want to alter the kitchen and bathroom facilities to suit us better,” Susanne said. “We designed a kitchen and had a local joiner build it for us.

“A few years later, we designed a bathroom that combined two small rooms into one larger family bathroom.

“We also redecorated and recarpeted throughout, replaced old fire grates and had the main reception room fireplace taken away for a clean and put back in with new hearth and working parts.

“The back garden has been altered depending on family needs at the time. When we arrived, there were a lot of foliage borders and gravel paths. We exchanged these for lawns and space for a playhouse in the early days and now have raised beds.”

Rooms in the house have period features, such as coving, picture rails and fireplaces.

“The living room is at the front, with dining room beyond followed by a breakfast room and kitchen and utility at the back.

“Upstairs, the four bedrooms share the bathroom which has a period-style suite and tiling with underfloor heating.

“I will miss this house in a way I cannot put into words,” Susanne said. “The decision to move has not been an easy one, but we are at a time in our lives where we can think about lifestyle changes.”

Woodlands, Hexham

Edwardian terrace £380,000

Andrew Coulson (01434) 600146