Eardisley Park, the house that rose from the ashes Eardisley Park went up in flames in January 1999 and the owners were determined to rebuild it better than it was before The piles of charred bricks coupled with headlines in the local papers, seemed to strengthen Jane's resolve. Right from the beginning we were determined to outwit fate by not just rebuilding, but rebuilding better than before. The property's 15 acres had been used as a farm for 100 years and there had been no garden. They started the restoration by bringing back the original garden terraces. In the grounds are a Grade II listed dovecote, a cluster of period brick barns and two courtyard fountains linked by a water canal. They demolished the "pathetic wreckage" of the house. Charred bricks were knocked down by hand and pressure-washed. The house was rebuilt using 95 per cent of the original bricks, laid with the inside bricks facing outside to form the outer skin of the house. Many original pictures of the house had perished in the fire, but the architect they had engaged before had a few snaps as well as technical drawings they could work from. With the twins now at school, Jane spent "two and a half years driving around the country" sourcing salvage materials. There was crown glass for the windows, whose slight variations contribute to the illusion of it being an old house. Old flooring, 19th century bathroom fittings, full height oak panelling in the dining room and library and Edwardian style bedrooms reflect the later adaptations to the house. "We didn't want it to be a time capsule, but for it to reflect its evolution," said Jane. They added efficient, modern heating and plumbing. The family moved into the top half of the house in 2001, co-habiting with the builders. Work finally finished at Christmas of that year, with several parties to celebrate. "People visiting the house said, "I thought your house had burnt down." It was very gratifying," said Jane. Eardisley Park won Georgian Restoration of the Year in 2003 and Country Life's "Restoration of the Century" for the West Region, in 2010. Its history has yet more fascinating twists and turns. "Legend has it that this house inspired Charles Dickens to write Bleak House," said Jane, "not because of the house, but because of the protracted lawsuit over its ownership after the owner died." William Barnsley's memorial stone is at St Mary Magdalene's church in Eardisley village. "He was a City chap and his wife was called Jane," smiles Jane. When he died in 1760, a 35-year legal battle raged between his son, daughter and nephew. The Morris-Joneses" children have grown up and moved to London and Edinburgh and Jane and Nigel are now empty-nesters. "It is obviously sad to be moving," Jane said. I hope whoever buys this house will love and care for it and its fascinating outbuildings. Eardisley Park is for sale through informal tender this month, offers over £1.5million. Chesterton Humberts (01432 278278)