A picturesque farm mansion with “undisturbed views” surrounding it has just gone on the market over in Cheshire.
The only thing is, you’ll just need the small matter of £4.5 million before you can call it yours.
Of course, it goes without saying that the vast majority of people reading this article won’t have £4.5 million just sitting in their bank account right now, and that properties of this size and stature are not the kind we’ll ever get to call home, but if like us, you’ve got no shame in admitting you love looking at houses you can’t afford in places you’ll probably never live, then allow us to introduce you to this absolute stunner.
Take a look inside Hargrave Farm.
A picturesque farm mansion with ‘undisturbed views’ has gone on the market in Cheshire for £4.5 million / Credit: Savills
Located in Hargrave – which is one of Cheshire‘s many affluent and sought-after villages known for combining the best of rural living, while still being conveniently close to a wide range of amenities, excellent local schools, and transport links into Greater Manchester, the rest of the North West, and beyond – estate agents say this seven-bedroom home on the doorstep of Chester has so much to offer prospective buyers.
ADVERTISEMENT
To put it simply, this historic home is nothing short of “impressive”.
Set amongst an approximately 50-acres of land, with seriously breath-taking views in every direction you look, this exceptional property is approached from a country lane via an electric gated entrance, and opens onto a tree-lined drive that leads to both the house itself, and the accompanying outbuildings and equestrian facilities.
ADVERTISEMENT
Estate agents say the main house – which extends to around 8,000 sq ft – is an “imposing property” that offers outstanding space for entertaining, a spacious open plan family kitchen with an island and an Aga, and various flexible reception rooms and living quarters.
It’s located in Hargrave, which is one of Cheshire’s many affluent and sought-after villages / Credit: Savills
The property has a range of spacious bedrooms set over both the first and second floors, making it perfect for growing families of all sizes to move straight into.
Not only that, but in total, the residence boasts a whopping six bathrooms.
ADVERTISEMENT
Away from the main house, a detached outbuilding provides separate self-contained accommodation in the form of The Oathouse, as well as the potential for a variety of other uses – including home offices, or fitness and leisure space.
The outside of the property is just as impressive as the inside too.
The outside of Hargrave Farm is just as impressive as the inside too / Credit: Savills
The main house and outbuildings are set in what estate agents have referred to as “attractive landscaped grounds” which come complete with well-stocked borders, extensive lawns, and a range of mature and semi-mature specimen trees, but it’s the equestrian element that really sets this property apart from the rest.
The equestrian facility’s “comprehensive” set-up combines both indoor and outdoor arenas, American barn stabling, and plenty of storage, and it also links directly to the property’s expansive land.
Hargrave Farm is currently on the market with the Chester branch of national estate agency chain, Savills, for a whopping £1.6 million, and if you fancy taking a closer look, then you can contact the property company to arrange a viewing.
ADVERTISEMENT
Or you could just take the cheaper route instead and have a nosey at the Rightmove link here.
Featured image – Savills
Property
Inside the regal Cheshire home for sale on one of Britain’s most expensive roads
Emily Sergeant
A stunning detached family home on one of Britain’s most expensive roads is currently on the market over in Cheshire.
In case you hadn’t heard, a recent report by The Times has revealed where you’ll find Britain’s top 20 most expensive roads for 2026, based off Rightmove data, and Congleton Road in Alderley Edge – slap bang in the middle of Cheshire’s iconic ‘Golden Triangle’ – has appeared in the top five most expensive outside of London.
So we snooped around to see what your money (… or your hypothetical money, at least) can get you on this street, and came across a regal residence currently for sale for a whopping £4.95 million.
This is Highclere – a six-bedroom detached family home occupying a private plot of over 1.3 acres and enjoying panoramic views across the adjoining Cheshire countryside.
This is Highclere – a stunning family home on one of Britain’s most expensive roads / Credit: Andrew J Nowell
Approached behind electric gates, and set back along a sweeping driveway, estate agents say Highclere has been ‘carefully and tastefully’ renovated by the current owners.
It now offers ‘spacious and versatile’ accommodation, and benefits from being within easy reach of Alderley Edge village centre and all the amenities it’s known and loved for.
Some of the stand-out features include an impressive reception hall with large sweeping staircase, open living kitchen with a large central island, large bedrooms, and a full leisure suite with a pool, jacuzzi, steam room, and showers.
There’s also a dedicated bar area, a games room, cinema room, and a gym.
Upstairs is where you’ll find what is described as the ‘unparallelled’ principal bedroom suite with two large dressing rooms, its own living area, en-suite bathroom, and a powder room, as well as four other large bedrooms.
Just as you’d expect, the outside of Highclere is as impressive as the inside.
The property is set within a private plot of over 1.3 acres enjoying panoramic views / Credit: Andrew J Nowell
Not only are there expansive terraced lawns with mature trees and shrubs and two large courtyards perfect for outdoor entertaining, but there is also a large driveway providing off-road parking for multiple vehicles and a detached double garage converted into annexe accomodation.
This property is currently on the market with Alderley Edge-based independent estate agents, Andrew J Nowell, for a Guide Price of £4.95 million, and if you fancy taking a closer look, then you can contact the agents to arrange a viewing.
Or you could just take the cheaper route instead and have a nosy at the Rightmove link here.
Featured Image – Andrew J Nowell
Property
Manchester rent is now ‘41% more expensive than five years ago, according to a recent study
Danny Jones
Yes, that’s right, as per some of the latest data on leased housing in central Manchester, it’s now approximately 41% more expensive to rent here than it was half a decade ago.
If you’ve lived in and around the city centre for long enough, chances are that you’ve already been feeling that difference, especially of late.
The ongoing cost-of-living crisis roughly began in 2021, following the economy and the world essentially opening back up after multiple lockdowns, so it’s little surprise that new research has shown affordability when it comes to renting has been on a slump ever since, too.
As well as the price of seemingly most things in everyday life going up post-pandemic, the average rental rate for even just a one-bedroom flat/apartment has jumped up significantly between 2020 and 2025.
Even some ‘available’ housing in town is being hampered by claddin (Credit: Valienne via WikiCommons)
That’s according to the numbers crunched by credit card experts, Zable, anyway.
Not only did their recent report cite the rent prices going up even before the cost of living crisis – essentially following the outset of the Covid-19 outbreak – but if their figures, the rate of inflation and the unwaveringly high demand for housing are anything to go by, this trajectory is likely to continue in 2026.
As of February this year, around one in three UK households is now a single-person occupancy, which already comes with its challenges (the Manchester City Council tax discount being a thin lifeline for countless), not to mention energy bills and the cost of groceries continuing on an upwards trend.
Put in the simplest and most reductive terms, it’s now almost £300 dearer for most people to live on their own than it was back in 2020, and besides Liverpool clocking in as second on the list of increasingly expensive cities to live (a 42.12% increase), Manchester came in third.
You can see the full table down below:
Rank
City
% increase – 2020-2025
Difference from 2020 to 2025 in £
Average rental cost for a 1 bed 2025
1
Newport
47.39%
£2,611
£8,121
2
Liverpool
42.12%
£2,290
£7,727
3
Manchester
41.00%
£3,364
£11,569
4
Edinburgh
40.28%
£4,620
£16,090
5
Leicester
39.93%
£2,391
£8,379
6
Wolverhampton
39.22%
£2,049
£7,273
7
Nottingham
39.07%
£2,400
£8,543
8
Glasgow
38.02%
£2,679
£9,725
9
Colchester
37.63%
£2,617
£9,572
10
Cardiff
37.06%
£2,828
Average rental cost for a 1-bed 2025
Another fear is that with lots of people finding it hard to manage living in other major cities like London, even those moving to Manchester are also having an impact on how available affordable housing is here.
That’s why schemes such as the new ‘social rent’ development over in Wythenshawe are so important to the current generations of renters, with the possibility of owning your own property in the future becoming increasingly difficult for so many.
It’s also worth noting that Manchester ranked fourth among the British locations where the cost of living is said to have increased the most over the past five years, with the average difference in annual spend growing by an estimated 22.84%.
Emily Sergeant -
12th August 2024 
