First impressions of this traditional cottage, on one of Wigton's most attractive terraces, belie just what is on offer. Not only are the rooms much bigger than expected but there is also a surprising large amount of outdoor space.

The property dates from the 1860s and is 10 minutes' walk from the town centre, in a lovely village-like area. Lisa and Neil Fulton have lived there for almost nine years, with son Charlie coming along five years ago.

The couple are both teachers and moved to Wigton as it is equidistant for Lisa's work in west Cumbria and family in Carlisle.

They chose to buy this cottage because of the space it provides, Lisa said.

"We'd looked at quite a few houses around the £100,000 mark and a lot of them were new-builds, which were small with no storage. This house is a really good size with two spacious bedrooms and a huge garden.

"With new-builds you get a postage stamp-sized garden, there's no storage and the bedrooms are tiny as well. It was the size of this that attracted us. I think it's deceiving when you drive past, you don't see how big it is and the fact that we could get as much land with it as we have was great."

Lisa and Neil have increased the amount of space in their house by moving a downstairs wall to create one large living-dining room, seizing the opportunity to take out a 70s-style fireplace and put in a new multi-fuel stove in an inglenook fireplace.

Other improvements include a new kitchen with oak tops and cream cupboards - "so it's quite country in style," says Lisa - new boiler and shower and new front and back doors. It has been recarpeted and redecorated throughout.

"The two bedrooms are also good sizes," Lisa said. "We've got a double bed in ours, three wardrobes, a chest of drawers and a seating area as well. They really are more spacious than other houses of the same price.

"It's a really light property too because there are two skylights upstairs. The other properties in the terrace have a sort of enclosed landing while we have a banister along the landing, with a skylight over it and another skylight in the bathroom."

One of the big advantages with her home is that, unlike houses in the town centre or new-built houses, it has a huge garden, the biggest on the terrace, along with a back yard.

"The neighbours told us they were market-style gardens which were then split up into the gardens for these properties on the terrace.

"You do go down a lane to get to the garden but it's just gardens out there which are all you can see from the window. It's not overlooked and you get the sun all day as it faces south.

"We've got a large shed and a large summerhouse as well. When we've paced it out we've measured it at about 20m square. It really is huge. Everyone is gobsmacked when they see it.

"We love just going down there, it’s great for barbecues and get-togethers. There are trees at the bottom behind our fence so there are lots of birds and it's just lovely and peaceful. It's quite low maintenance; we've got a border of perennials and a shillied area. There's a vegetable garden too, which is quite large."

Lisa thinks the house might appeal to a small family or a couple, although her neighbours include pensioners and a couple renting so it has wide appeal.

"We've absolutely loved having this as a family house and my little boy loves the garden as well," she said. "We're looking to extend our family which is why we're moving but we will be sad to go. We've put a lot of love into this property."

Sevenoaks Terrace, Cross Lane, Wigton, is for sale at £97,500 from Hopes Estate Agents, tel. 016973 43641.