Hall Lane, Hammerwich, Burntwood, WS7 0JT

I look at a lot of houses, and every now and again one comes along where the normal way of describing property just doesn't really work.

Olive Cottage is one of those.

Because technically, yes, you're buying a beautiful three/four bedroom cottage in Hammerwich. But stand in the middle of the grounds and look around and you realise you're actually buying something much bigger than that. Three separate buildings, a huge garden, your own entertainment space, a double garage, a hot tub, gated parking, countryside around you and enough space to create a completely different way of living.

And I think that's the attraction here. You can make this place fit your life rather than fitting your life around the house.

The cottage itself is absolutely gorgeous. It has that character you want from a countryside home, but the current owners have made it feel incredibly stylish. It feels like somewhere you'd see in a magazine rather than somewhere that's trying too hard to be a traditional cottage.

Inside, the split level layout gives it loads of personality. There are three bedrooms, two bathrooms and three different reception spaces, so although it's got that cosy cottage feel, you've still got choices in how you live. Somewhere for everyone to come together, somewhere quieter when you want your own space and rooms that could change purpose as your family does.

The kitchen fits the house perfectly too. It's stylish, warm and properly cottagey, and that's probably the best way I can describe the whole place. Nothing feels generic. Nothing feels like it's been copied from the house down the road.

Then you walk outside and Olive Cottage becomes something else entirely.

At the bottom of the garden is a completely separate entertainment building and, genuinely, this could change your weekends.

You've got a huge fully equipped bar, loads of room for people to sit, a massive TV area for the football, parties, birthdays, Christmas, family gatherings or just getting your mates round. Outside you've got the double hot tub and more space to sit, eat and spend time together.

It's basically your own pub, sports bar and holiday at home without leaving the garden.

And I think the story of the current owners explains this place perfectly. They bought it after the kids had grown up and left home. Rather than wanting a huge conventional family house full of bedrooms they weren't going to use every day, they wanted somewhere the whole family would actually want to come back to.

That's exactly what they've created.

But I can see another family taking this in a completely different direction.

I'd be looking at the grounds thinking about football goals and a five a side pitch. I'd be looking at the separate spaces thinking about a proper office. Someone else might want a gym, games room, studio or somewhere for extended family. There are loads of possibilities here because you've got something most houses simply can't give you.

Space.

The third building currently gives you a double garage, WC and boot room, all sitting off the gated driveway. Again, it's useful as it is, but it also adds another layer to how this whole property can work for different families.

And then there's the setting.

Look at the aerial photographs and you understand it immediately. You're tucked away down a lane, surrounded by greenery and open countryside, with horses next door at the riding school and views stretching out around you. Hammerwich has retained its rural character and is surrounded by Green Belt, so despite being within reach of Lichfield, Sutton Coldfield and Burntwood, it feels like you've properly escaped when you get home.

That's probably the clever bit about the location though. You're rural, but you're not isolated.

Lichfield is close enough for the restaurants, shops, schools, Cathedral City life and rail connections, including services from Lichfield City towards Birmingham and from Lichfield Trent Valley towards London and the north. Sutton Coldfield is within easy reach in the other direction, while the A5, A38 and M6 Toll connect the wider district into the national road network.

So you can finish work, turn off the main road, head down the lane, pull through the gates and suddenly the pace changes.

Kids outside. Dog running around. Horses next door. Friends coming over. Football on in the bar. Hot tub later. Everyone stays because there's nowhere else anyone particularly needs to be.

That's Olive Cottage for me.

It's not about how many bedrooms you can squeeze onto a floorplan.

It's about having somewhere people want to come to.

And whether that's your kids growing up here, grown up children coming back at weekends, grandparents becoming part of everyday family life, friends piling round on a Saturday or simply having more space around you, there are so many different versions of life that could work here.

I'd come and see this one with an open mind.

Because I think the person who buys Olive Cottage won't just be buying a house.

They'll have a very clear idea of what they're going to do with all of this.