When a spark from a bonfire accidentally set fire to the cottage he had just bought, Ian Caldwell watched his dream of living there go up in smoke.

The fire damaged it beyond repair, so Mr Caldwell decided to build a new house on the same site in Chippinghurst, near Stadhampton.

The result was The Platts, a detached house set in eight acres that is now on the market for £1.7m.

Mr Caldwell said: “Although it was devastating at the time, it worked out for the best as it enabled me to put in modern conveniences such as under-floor heating and insulation.”

The story started seven years ago when Mr Caldwell regularly mowed the lawn for an old lady who lived in the cottage.

“When Joan decided to sell, I jumped at the chance to buy. I was in Spain on holiday when the sale completed but when I got back, Joan hadn’t moved out.

“I was fine about her still being there but asked if she would mind me bringing in the diggers to clear the garden which was a bit of a jungle.

“She said it was no problem, so we went ahead and took away six skip-loads of rubbish.

“We also lit a bonfire. Suddenly, someone noticed the cottage’s thatched roof was in flames. The wind must have blown a spark over and the straw went up like a tinder box.

“Joan was still in there, so our first thought was to get her and as many of her possessions out.

“The fire service came and did their best but it was a lost battle and by the time they had extinguished the fire, the roof had completely gone and the cottage was beyond salvage.

“In the beginning, all I had intended to do was extend the existing property but I ended up having to build a new house from scratch, although I used the stone from the original cottage.

“I made very sure to opt for a tiled roof instead of a thatched one, though.”

Mr Caldwell, who runs his own timber business, has since married Penny and they plan a move to New Zealand.

The four-bedroom house includes a living/dining room with French windows opening on to a terrace, kitchen/ breakfast room with separate utility area and cloakroom.

The first floor includes the master bedroom with en-suite shower room and three more double bedrooms plus family bathroom.

Other features include an oak staircase, exposed timber beams and a wood-burning stove.

Outside is a timber-framed barn which houses a gym, swimming pool, tack room and studio/office space on the first floor.

There is also a garage, open-sided shelter, gardens and an orchard.

Susi Morgan, of agents Morgan & Associates, said: “The property has been finished to a very high specification providing a contemporary and practical living space.

“With around eight acres of land including paddocks and fields there is plenty of space. In fact, the current owner keeps four polo ponies there.

“The location is rural and the views of surrounding countryside are stunning.”

For more information or to arrange a viewing, contact Morgan & Associates on 01844 279990 or visit morganandassociates.co.uk