The 400-year-old happy home that has kept on growing and giving

It’s hard to believe that this property started life in the 17th century as a humble game keeper’s cottage. Over the years, it has been extended and gentrified to create a large and luxurious family home.

Owners David and Eileen Dockray have played a big part in the property’s rags to riches story.

They bought the house 25 years ago and were keen to stay in the idyllic location. They improved and added to the property, which has paddocks and stabling, so they didn’t have to move away from the hamlet.

David says: “The house is in Poole, a hamlet at the end of Burton Salmon village. There are only a few properties here and it feels like a lovely, quiet oasis.

“We bought Rosedene because we thought it was a great place to bring up children and it has good access to the motorway, which was important as I used to work in London.”

One of their most impressive legacies is the double-height entrance hall. They have also added a kitchen and conservatory, a new garden room, extra bedrooms and a car port.

“The house is a mix of old and new. There are parts that have the old cottage cosiness and others are very contemporary. Every room is different. The way it is configured would also suit multi-generational living,” says David, who is heavily involved in Leeds rugby league and rugby union, while Eileen is a volunteer for Mencap.

Their fundraising events at Rosedene have raised thousands of pounds. “Leeds Rhinos players would come to the events and serve canapés, which helped raise money for the rugby foundation and also helped the players and managers bond. Fortunately, other people have expressed interest in taking the fundraising event on when we leave here,” says David.

The 4,377 sq.ft house benefits from interconnecting reception rooms, ideal for parties, and a self-contained, ground floor suite. It also has a reception lobby, lounge/hall, mezzanine study, drawing room, dining room, snug, orangery, garden room, utility room, 29ft long living kitchen with Aga, a master bedroom suite, four further bedrooms and two bathrooms. Outside, there is garaging for three cars, a car port, gardens, a two acre paddock and stables.

The Dockrays are selling to downsize. “We have loved living in this house. It’s been a wonderful place for us and our family and friends but it is time for us to move on,” says David.

For details contact Beadnall Copley, tel: 01937 580850, www.beadnallcopley.co.uk

*Burton Salmon is small village surrounded by countryside. It has a primary school and a pub plus easy access to the A1M, M1 and M62.