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
The top 10 ‘happiest’ places to live in the North West in 2026 have been named
Emily Sergeant
The top 10 happiest places to live in the North West have been named for 2026.
It comes as Rightmove has published its annual ‘Happy at Home’ index this week, just as it has done for the last 14 years now, exploring exactly what it is that makes people feel content about where they live, and highlighting the happiest places nationwide ahead of the new year – with thousands of residents across more than 200 locations providing feedback.
The residents told the leading property listing platform what they love (or don’t love) about their community, from the friendliness of their neighbours, to job opportunities, access to green spaces, and so much more.
The survey also outlined the differences in happiness in rural, urban, and suburban environments, as well as the way our sense of ‘home happiness’ changes as we age.
So, when it comes to the North West as a whole then, where do we have in the top 10?
Well, to kick things off, you may have already seen that one Lancashire market town has earned its place in the top 10 nationwide, not just for the North West region – and that’s Chorley.
Closest to the Bolton and Wigan boroughs, Chorley – which is is about a 40-minute drive outside of Manchester, and sits on a direct train route into the city centre.
But aside from the national top 10, when it comes to the regional top 10, the next two towns following Chorley in second and third are both in Greater Manchester.
The North West’s top 10 happiest places to live 2026
Chorley
Stockport
Altrincham
Chester
Macclesfield
Southport
Kendal
Wirral
Northwich
Carlisle
Altrincham has been named one of the North West’s happiest places to live / Credit: The Manc Group
The ever-thriving Stockport comes in at number two, followed by Trafford favourite Altrincham directly behind it at number three.
Other of the region’s inclusions like Bury, Bolton, Wigan, and the Manchester borough itself all ranked towards the bottom.
Speaking on this year’s list, Colleen Babcock – a property expert at Rightmove – explained: “The balance between greenery and everyday convenience runs through the wider findings. Even among people who would ideally choose a rural setting, access to amenities, parks and public transport remains important.
“This year’s results suggest that the places people rate most highly aren’t simply urban or rural, but often bring together some of the best elements of both.”
Featured Image – Roger Kidd (via Wikimedia Commons)
Property
Inside the most EXPENSIVE house on the market in one of Greater Manchester’s poshest villages
Emily Sergeant
Fancy a look behind the doors of what is currently the most expensive house on the market in Greater Manchester?
A houses in one of the region’s poshest – if not, the poshest – villages? A house with the most regal interiors and expansive landscaped gardens? A house with an indoor swimming pool, its own cinema room, and leisure suite with a gym and sauna? Of course you do, you’d be silly not to.
The only things is, you’ll just need the small matter of £9.5 million if you want to buy it.
Of course, it goes without saying that the vast majority of people reading this article won’t have £9.5 million just sitting in their bank accounts right now… but, if like us, you love having a nosy inside houses you can’t afford in places you’ll probably never live, then allow us to introduce you to this absolute beauty called Hill Top.
Hill Top is a stunning six-bedroom detached residence in the highly sought-after Trafford village of Hale, currently sitting as the most expensive house on the market in the region.
This is Hill Top, the most expensive house in Greater Manchester / Credit: Gascoigne Halman
Although a new build that was only completed back in 2015, the property has been carefully considered and constructed in the Queen Ann architectural style – which is widely seen throughout the area – to make sure the home stands out while still sitting in harmony with its surroundings.
Sitting on an acre plot at the end of a gated driveway, Hill Top benefits from being within walking distance of all the amenities, excellent local schools, and convenient transport links that make Hale such a desirable place to live.
Estate agents describe it as being full of ‘character and architectural interest’, but with the warmth and charm of a traditional family home.
It’s full of state-of-the-art design features / Credit: Gascoigne Halman
Some of the property’s stand-out features include a Portico stone front porch leading to a grand central staircase, a bespoke designed kitchen with premium integrated appliances, several spacious reception rooms, hardwood sash windows, and Chesney’s fireplaces, as well as the aforementioned leisure suite with a gym, sauna, steam room, and treatment room in the basement space.
Oh, and how could we forget, the indoor swimming pool too?
State-of-the-art technology is seamlessly woven into the design of the house too. We’re talking intelligent underfloor heating, integrated air conditioning, fully customisable multimedia and lighting systems, and an advanced security and CCTV network.
The outside of Hill Top is just as impressive as the inside too, with stunning landscaped gardens by Barnes Walker rounding out why this is one of the most desirable places to live in the region.
The outside is just as impressive as the inside / Credit: Gascoigne Halman
Hill Top is currently on the market with Hale-based estate agents, Gascoigne Halman, for a Guide Price of £9.5 million, and if you fancy taking a closer look, then you can contact the property company to arrange a viewing.
Or you could just take the cheaper route instead and have a look on Rightmove HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
17th April 2025 
