Historic Ludlow town house goes on the market

But instead of settling down in the Reader's House on Church Walk in Ludlow, the pair, both archaeologists, have put their 'labour of love' on the market for £650,000.

"We spent about 18 months living here," said Mrs Buteux.

"It was always taken on as a project, we never planned to stay there forever."

The Reader's House dates back to the early 1300s and has had many uses over the past 700 years, including a grammar school, private museum and the official residence of the reader – one of the assistant clergy in the next-door parish church of St Laurence.

Agents Strutt and Parker, which is handling the sale, said it was 'undoubtedly one of the finest properties of its type to be found in the country'.

Its features include a three-storey timber-framed porch with elaborate carvings.

But it wasn't in the best condition when the Buteuxs bought it in 2008. It was facing the prospect of being included on the buildings at risk register.

"It had to be modernised," said Mrs Buteux. "It has been totally re-plumbed, it didn't have a kitchen to speak of so we converted the cellar.

"We re-roofed it and basically stabilised it too."

She said the couple often renovate houses but this was one of the biggest projects they have taken on.

Ludlow Historic Society was involved in the restoration and Birmingham University carried out a laser scan to give an accurate scaled survey of the building.

The couple, who have two children, Isaac, nine and Laurie, four, said they were very pleased with the end result and are hoping the next owners appreciate the history of the house.

It has even received the royal seal of approval from the Prince of Wales himself.

"When Prince Charles came for the jubilee tour last year I was taking pictures and I heard him ask someone if the house belonged to them," Mrs Buteux added.

"Then in passing he just stopped and said it was splendid. I hope the person that buys it is someone who will enjoy and respect it."

The property went on the market last week, and Ben Winson, from Strutt and Parker, said: "It's unusual to find a Grade I listed building that's so beautifully finished and actually caters for contemporary living."

Call the agents on (01584) 873711.