THEY say your home is your castle, and what sort of castle would it be without a moat? Well, while The Old Moat is hardly a castle of the recognised variety, it will certainly make a splendid residence for those wishing to enjoy the space and solitude of this converted barn at Coatham Stob, near Stockton.

Set in a small hamlet and approached via a private lane through remote-controlled gates, this fine home consists of two properties, a main house and an adjacent cottage.

The main residence has an Lshaped entrance hall leading to a lounge, dining room, impressive conservatory and bespoke kitchen.

There are three bedrooms, one with en suite, and a family bathroom.

The cottage has a further double bedroom, with en suite, a breakfast/ kitchen and a lounge or snooker/games room.

The grounds include a landscaped rear garden overlooking fields, a summerhouse with patio, an enclosed play area for children, enclosed pond, four garden sheds and a chicken run. A sauna, hot tub and the snooker table are available by separate negotiation.

For the equestrian minded, there is also a two-anda- half acre paddock to the rear.

The conversion began in 2000 and the building of the cottage and further improvements have continued until recently. Features include vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and an alarm system with cctv.

Agent Halifax (01642 783902) is asking £565,000.