Dog breeder Sonya Hillier has made this cottage her home for two years and tells Rosalind Ambler why it is time to move.

Sonya Hillier, 43, is finding it hard to come to terms with leaving Timbers, her beautiful cottage in Wedhampton that dates from the 16th century.

She has only lived there with her partner for two years, during which time she has put in a new kitchen and redecorated throughout, and the reasons she has for leaving are all four legged and very hairy.

"I breed Briard dogs," explains Sonya, one of whose puppies won best puppy in breed at Crufts this year, and another has just become a British champion. She not only keeps four of these gentle giants, but is also involved with rehoming briards, and has plans for more puppy breeding in future.

"Rehomed dogs can be nervous, and make a lot of noise, and if I start breeding puppies the numbers could rise a lot, so I need to move somewhere with more space and land but I will miss this cottage."

Part of the charm of the cottage is its very quiet and unspoilt setting, beside a paddock. "Even the outbuildings on the other side of the paddock are listed," said Sonya, "it is very peaceful and private here, which I love."

Timbers is a happy combination of old world charm with surprisingly large, airy rooms, under an appealling thatched roof. A drawing of the house features in a framed poster in the village centre highlighting the most interesting buildings in Wedhampton. Here is is described as a late 16th to mid-17th century timber framed house with brick infill, and the walls are a delightful patchwork of different shades of brick.

"Wedhampton is just a hamlet, really," explains Sonya, "and wonderfully quiet. The village is a horseshoe off the main road, with very little traffic."

The house has oodles of history, and is Grade II listed but has modern comforts.

The kitchen has had all its white goods hidden behind new pale wooden doors, and the large central island that contains a wine store, storage baskets and breakfast bar is not fixed, so future owners can reposition it if they wish. There is a generous sized range, and windows to three sides.

The dining room has a beautiful inglenook fireplace, and windows on opposite walls, and this leads to a large sitting room.

Here again there is a magnificent fireplace on the wall opposite the very large conservatory.

"That was added in 1989," said Sonya. "It's really lovely at night, and for entertaining."

The oak staircase leads to three bedrooms on the first floor. One room, a generous sized double, has a walk in cupboard that is quite large enough to convert into an en suite shower room. There is a smaller bedroom adjacent to the family bathroom. These two rooms used to have a frosted glass window in the party wall, which Sonya has replaced with a beautiful piece of old stained glass. "When we have children staying in that room, they love it if we leave the light on in the bathroom, as they get the lovely patterned light coming through."

The large master bedroom has an unusual en suite bathroom, with the basin set into rough stonework, partly the original chimney stack with additions in matching stone.

Outside, there is a pretty garden, including a fenced off lawn that would be ideal for children, and well stocked flowerbeds.

The double garage, with storage above, is currently divided into three dog runs, but could easily return to its original use.

  • Timbers, Wedhampton Price guide £500,000 The property offers three reception rooms, three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a double garage.

For further details contact Hamptons, Marlborough, tel (01672) 516256.