This beautiful barn conversion belies its earlier incarnation as a pig sty, stable and dairy which was built around 1880.

Halton Homes acquired this and other former farm buildings in Drake Hill Lane, Bingley, four-and-a-half years ago, turning them into impressive conversions with a gated entry.

This small community of just five homes is set amid open countryside just to the west of Eldwick and Bingley.

The owner of Drake Hill House has lived there since the building was converted three years.

“We chose it for its unique countryside setting, which is hidden and very peaceful, and loved the fact that it was going to be built in beautiful reclaimed stone,” the owner says.

“What was also important was that we knew the build would be high quality and that Halton Homes would allow us plenty of input into the interior layout. For instance, in the original plans the kitchen was at the back of the house and we had it moved to the front.

“We re-arranged all the rooms and changed the original plans, choosing everything from the tiles to the colour of the wood stain – even the kitchen and garden designs were ours.”

It took 18 months to complete, but it was worth the wait. Together with oil-fired central heating, double glazing and alarm, there are two spacious reception rooms, a dining kitchen and three bedrooms.

On the ground floor is a central reception hallway with solid oak floor and storage under the staircase. To the right of the hallway and overlooking the front garden is the dining kitchen, which has base and wall units, granite work surfaces, built-in range oven, fridge, freezer, integrated dishwasher and stone floor.

Off the hall to the left is the sitting room, with beamed ceiling and wood mantle with stone hearth and multi-fuel stove.

“I designed the fire surround, and the beam was chosen from Machells in Guiseley.”

The hearth was a nice touch, using a four-inch thick stone slab reclaimed from the stable floor.

Double doors lead into the lounge, which, together with a dining area, runs right across the back of the house. This is the area where the family keep their beloved piano, and it’s a lovely space with feature beams to the sloping ceiling, solid oak floor, built-in storage cupboards, door to the garden and a cloakroom.

“We got the beams for the piano room from a mill in Denholme, while those in the en-suite upstairs were chosen specially from Machells,” the owner says.

“Our favourite room is the sitting room, which is so relaxing, especially when the fire is lit.”

Upstairs, the master bedroom overlooks the front of the house and has a luxury en-suite with free-standing cast iron bath with claw feet, tiled floor, feature beams and chrome ladder radiator.

As well as two further bedrooms, there is a luxury bathroom with four-piece suite, free-standing bath, tiled shower cubicle, wash basin, chrome ladder radiator and tiled floor.

The property has a large driveway with room to park several cars, and there is the potential for constructing a garage, subject to planning permission.

At the front is a flagged area, with a larger enclosed lawned garden at the back with paved patio and flower beds.

“I think we’ve achieved what we set out to – everything within the keeping of a barn conversion – and we’re certainly going to miss the neighbours and the peaceful countryside setting,” the owner adds.

This property in Drake Hill Lane, Bingley, is on the market for £485,000 with Dacre, Son & Hartley, Bingley, tel (01274) 560421, web www.dacres.co.uk