In the 33 years since Keith and Jan Raes moved into their thatched home near Canterbury, they have extended and refurbished. Homes & Living still found the cottage as pretty as a picture.

For a young househunting couple in November 1981, one sweet thatched cottage north east of Canterbury stole their hearts clean away.

Years later, they have extended, refurbished, painted and polished, to make a perfectly comfortable home for the 21st century.

Now, as the three-bedroom house goes up for sale with agent Strutt & Parker, the couple are hoping to pass it on to a new owner who will continue to cherish all it has to offer.

Owner Jan Raes says: “Originally The Thatch was a local farm workers’ cottage housing a family of nine with only one living room and one bedroom. The extensions we have added over the years have been sympathetic to the original building.

“The changes have opened up the floorplans to the cottage giving it more light, living and entertaining areas, extra bedrooms and bathrooms.

“It’s always a surprise to people visiting for the first time to discover how spacious in fact our ‘little’ cottage is. We’re hoping the next owners will care and love this little home, with all its history, as much as we have done.”

Neat box hedges lead to the heavy oak front door and porch and hallway of the cottage.

Step right from the hallway to find the sunny double aspect sitting room with vaulted ceiling, exposed ceiling beams and open brick fireplace. The pristine kitchen, with breakfast bar, has a door to the garden and also leads into a conservatory.

There is a separate study and a downstairs shower room, which is off the entrance hallway. The cottage has two bedrooms upstairs with the large family bathroom. One further bedroom is on the ground floor.

Gardens are at the front and back and there is a garage as well as a detached studio outbuilding.

Broad Oak village is north east of Canterbury.

For information ring the agent on 01227 451123