Fancy a look inside a Grade II-listed property that’s currently on the market in the stunning Stockport countryside?
The only thing is, you’ll just need the small matter of £1.25 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 £1.25 million just sitting in their bank accounts right now, 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 beauty.
Take a look behind the grand front door of what is, by far, one of the most unique properties the Greater Manchester housing market has to offer at the moment.
This is Bleak House.
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This is Bleak House / Credit: eXp UK
Although the name doesn’t do it much justice, it has to be said, this magnificent five-bedroom detached stone residence overlooks stunning views as far as the eye can see.
And can you believe it’s only in Stockport too? Well, Marple shall we say, which is very much one of the borough’s most sought-after and affluent residential areas, combining the best of semi-rural living with easy access to all the amenities in the town’s centre, as well as Manchester being not far off either, so it’s ideally placed for peace and quiet yet modern life is within reaching distance.
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Bleak House is actually a former mill manager’s house, and dates all the way back to the early 19th century, with associations to Samuel Oldknow and Peter Arkwright, making it a property of both archaeological and historical significance.
It’s a stunning five-bedroom Grade II-listed residence in the Stockport countryside / Credit: eXp UK
Gaining its Grade II-listed status in 1967, the house itself offers some 3,000 square feet of living accommodation set over three floors.
Due to is listed status, this means the current owners have been required to carry out all recent development works as ‘sympathetically’ as possible, with strict requirements adhered to along the way, and you’ll see once you step through the grand front doors that the property has managed to perfectly blend period charm with contemporary touches.
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Some of the stand-out features the property boasts is a living room with a wood burner set in stone fire surround and dual-aspect sash windows offering far-reaching views, and a recently-fitted bespoke kitchen diner at the heart of the home, along with a separate boot room and utility room.
The property has its own separate annex and even its own private canal mooring / Credit: eXp UK
There are also four generous-sized double bedrooms, each with their own en-suite, and not only has the property been recently extended, but there is also planning permission granted for further reception rooms, plus a car shelter and storage space.
As well as the main house, there’s also a self-contained annex that comes with property, and this has also been recently refurbished, and now presents as a way to generate some extra income from short stays and holiday lets.
Once you step outside the property, it’s just as impressive as it is on the inside.
Bleak House faces south with the Peak Forest Canal to the west and Strines Road to the east.
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To the front of the property, there’s a long driveway providing plenty of off-road parking, and EV car charging point, and a large lawn surrounded by woodland, while to the rear, there’s also another large lawn area with various steps, pathways, and tiers leading up to the canal.
At the top is a decked patio area that offers some of the best views of the pictursque Goyt Valley adjacent to the canal, with the property’s own private mooring.
Bleak House is currently on the market with the North West branch of property company eXp UK for a whopping £1.25 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 nosey at the Rightmove link here.
Featured Image – eXp UK
Property
Plans officially submitted for ‘vibrant’ new food hall in Wythenshawe
Emily Sergeant
Are you feeling hungry? Good, because a new food hall is on the horizon.
That’s right – plans to transform Wythenshawe Civic have taken another exciting leap forward this week, as Manchester City Council and placemaker Muse have submitted a planning application to bring a brand-new food hall to the town.
Set to be housed within the three units next to the former Peacocks store – which has now been demolished – the new food hall will become a ‘vibrant’ destination for independent and local food vendors to attract people with ‘delicious and diverse’ offerings.
Developers also hope the new food hall will keep the suburban Manchester town’s centre ‘bustling’ throughout the day and into the evening.
The announcement that the new food hall is in the works comes as part of the already-announced plans for Wythenshawe Civic – with work to soon begin on everything from the public realm, and outside space, to the vacant office space above the existing Iceland-store, which will also be transformed into modern new workspace to support local start-ups and bring new jobs into the town centre.
Developers also recently submitted three separate applications to create 422 new affordable homes for social rent across three locations in the town centre.
“Listening to local people over the last year and more, we know that Wythenshawe residents want more from their town centre – more things to do, opportunities to spend time in Civic and night time attractions that give the area a lift and attract visitors,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.
“This is the drive behind the Culture Hub. A place for local people with an interest in the arts to take part in creative activities, see a show or enjoy the cinema space – right in the heart of their community.
“This is another exciting chapter in the transformation of Wythenshawe Town Centre.”
Joel Chandler, who is the Senior Development Manager at Muse, added that developers are ‘moving at pace’ with plans to give the town centre the ‘regeneration it deserves’.
“The food hall will be a hive for a range of local outlets and will provide new spaces for the community to spend time in and give the town’s nighttime economy a major boost.”
Featured Image – Supplied
Property
Inside the north’s rare 1950s mid-century ‘masterpiece’ on the market for £1.1m
Emily Sergeant
A rare Grade II-listed mid-century modern home designed by a renowned architect has gone on the market in Lancashire.
Now, we know this one is a little off patch for us… but honestly, it’s a truly unique masterpiece worth hyping up.
Before we all get carried away, it goes without saying that the vast majority of us won’t have the money to buy this house just chilling in bank accounts right now, 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 beauty.
This is Domus – thought to be one of the first ‘modern’ houses in the county, commissioned for Eric Cookson and his wife all the way back in 1958.
Mid-century modern homes are commonplace in the US, but rare in the UK / Credit: The Modern House
Mid-century modern (MCM) homes are commonplace in the US and in other countries across Europe, but here in the UK, it’s a different story.
MCMs homes are said to be rare in the UK due to a preference for traditional, durable materials like brick, as well as higher land costs demanding smaller footprints, and because we have a climate that makes large, single-pane glass windows more impractical.
Hence why this home in the sought-after Burnley town of Reedley is so special.
Designed by the renowned architect Alan Chambers, and concealed from view at the foot of a private driveway, fronted by landscaped gardens and a screen of mature specimen trees, estate agents say this exceptional Grade II-listed modern masterpiece is set intended for ‘creating, communing, and entertaining’.
This Grade II-listed home was designed by renowned architect Alan Chambers back in 1958 / Credit: The Modern House
One of the property’s other stand-out features has to be its abundance of natural light in the main living spaces, where expansive full-height windows frame views of the garden.
Retaining the building’s legacy has also been integral to its current owners, with much of the property’s internal detailing having been beautifully preserved throughout – most notably in terrazzo tiles, marble floors, and aluminium door furniture, light switches and sanitaryware.
Oh, and of course, we have to mention the artfully crafted open-tread staircase as one of the many original features that just steals the show.
The outside of Domus is just as impressive as the inside too / Credit: The Modern House
The outside is just as impressive as the inside too, as not only is there a collection of characteristic balconies surrounding the property, but you’ll also find that the gardens and woodland extend to around 5.7 acres – which form an integral part of what makes this home so remarkable and unlike anything else in the North West
Like what you see then?
This property is currently on the market with mid-century modern expert estate agents, The Modern House, for a (pretty reasonable, to be fair) £1.1 million, and if you fancy taking a closer look, then you can contact the agents to arrange a viewing.
Emily Sergeant -
17th April 2025 
