There’s a million-pound barn conversion just gone up for sale in Cheshire, and of course, we couldn’t resist looking around.
This property is nestled in the idyllic village of Warburton in Lymm, just a short 40-minute drive from Manchester.
The four-bedroom, two-bath property spans over two properties, featuring a nice little detached garage and a cosy back garden.
At first glance, you may be captivated by the sheer beauty that is the grand barn-twanged canopy which overhangs the property’s driveway, but we’ve still got a barn conversion to explore.
The minimalistic kitchen with accompanying island and breakfast bar.The dining room separated by that quirky three-arch brick wall.Credit: On The Market
Titled ‘The Barn Birch Farm‘, as you enter through the front door and turn left, you’re greeted by a three-arch red brick wall which separates the kitchen from the dining space.
The kitchen is sleek black all around with a large island which also doubles as a breakfast bar in the middle of the room, which is also where the hob can be found.
Each room in this Cheshire barn conversion seems to wow us even more, and this time it’s the living room which captures our attention, thanks to the large log beams which perfectly frame the TV.
There’s an equally impressive log beam and archway which acts as a break between the main living space and a more snug seating area with a hearty fireplace taking centre stage.
If all that lounging around has you tired out, then you’re in luck as the bedroom is right next door with a large open-plan wardrobe and mezzanine en-suite.
There’s a spiral staircase that connects the bedroom to the mezz, which consists of both a shower and a bath. Very stylish and pretty lush, to say the least.
The main bedroom of the barn conversion with above mezzanine en-suite.The bath and shower in the mezzanine en-suite overlooking the bedroom.Credit: On The Market
All the bedrooms are situated under a wooden-beamed vaulted ceiling, which further adds to the character of the property – not a room goes without a sprinkle of this country-barn style.
Each of the first-floor bedrooms has its own skylight too, meaning once you’ve stopped admiring all the intricate barn details, you can opt for a bit of stargazing.
The garden is quite the sight as well, providing the barn conversion with its own mini forest and garage with not one but two undercover car parking spaces.
This barn conversion is the perfect property for anyone wanting to live out their cottage-core fantasy on a much larger scale.
Obviously, the price tag is out of a lot of our reach, but when a house looks as good as this, we can’t help but have a nosy. So, what do you make of The Barn Birch Farm? You can view all the pictures and find out more information HERE.
The snug area just behind the main living room, separated by the gorgeous wooden beams.All the bedrooms have their own wooden beams which helps keep the barn character alive throughout the property.Credit: On The Market
Authorities prepare to ‘turn the tide’ on Greater Manchester’s housing crisis
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester is preparing to ‘turn the tide’ on its housing crisis by building new homes and protecting renters.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has set out its comprehensive plan to connect communities to new jobs and opportunities, drive up standards across the rental sector, and build new homes – with the latter helping to fulfil its Housing First ambition give everyone access to a ‘safe, secure, and affordable’ home by 2038.
This week has already seen a ‘renewed focus’ on driving up housing standards thanks to the naming of the first supporters of Greater Manchester’s bold new Good Landlord Charter.
New analysis also shows that GMCA’s Brownfield Housing Fund, which was set up in 2020, has already provided grants to deliver more than 15,000 homes, with an average of just over 45% being affordable housing.
But, there’s still a long way to go.
🏡 Today at #Housing2025, we marked a major milestone: Over 50% of rented homes in Greater Manchester are now covered by the Good Landlord Charter 🎉
— Greater Manchester Combined Authority (@greatermcr) June 26, 2025
GMCA says those recent successes will not stand alone, but rather support plans to deliver more social housing than is lost across the region.
Unlocking brownfield land is what authorities claim is the key to turning the tide on the housing crisis, as since its inception in 2020, as mentioned, Greater Manchester has invested a whopping £135.4 million from the Brownfield Housing Fund to redevelop underused brownfield land, which ultimately delivered thousands of new homes.
It’s anticipated that further funding allocations will come in the summer to supplement those already approved and in the works.
GMCA is also using the power of Mayoral Development Corporations (MDC) – which are statutory bodies set up by the Mayor Andy Burnham, designed to speed up development and attract investment within a specific area – to unlock regeneration opportunities, as these ‘pioneering’ tools bring together local partners and drive forward the authority’s ambitions to build new homes, bring jobs and investment, and support economic growth.
Authorities are preparing to ‘turn the tide’ on Greater Manchester’s housing crisis / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
Some of these MDCs currently include Old Trafford (part of the proposed Western Gateway Mayoral Development Zone), the expanded Stockport MDC, and the Northern Gateway MDC (part of Atom Valley).
Together, these three alone are expected to deliver 27,250 homes over the next 15 years to help address the housing crisis.
“If we are serious about securing the long-term success of Greater Manchester, we need to free ourselves from the grip of the housing crisis,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham.
“Because of the decisions we’ve taken, Greater Manchester is now building more affordable homes than at any point since the turn of the millennium. We need to keep building on that momentum until we reach a tipping point where we build more social homes than we lose.
“We’re determined to ensure that every person in Greater Manchester has access to the safe and secure home they need in order to thrive.”
Featured Image – James Feaver (via Unsplash)
Property
Petition launched to rebuild Hotspur Press in its ‘original form’ following devastating fire
Emily Sergeant
A petition has been launched to rebuild the Hotspur Press building in its ‘original form’ following the devastating fire last week.
In case you missed it, one of Manchester’s most historic landmarks has been left a shell of its former self after a huge fire erupted at the now-derelict Hotspur Press, which is on Cambridge Street beside Oxford Road train station, last Monday (23 June), destroying the iconic building that stood standing for more than 200 years.
It was subsequently declared a ‘major incident’ by authorities.
Thick black smoke clouds could be seen for miles over the city centre from around 4:30pm onwards and into the evening, as fire crews worked to extinguish the blaze.
BREAKING 🚨 Huge fire in Manchester city centre right now – historic Hotspur Press is ablaze with major disruption to trains out of Oxford Road #manchester#mcrpic.twitter.com/SnA52oiqxm
At the height of the blaze, two aerial units and more than 100 firefighters were working at the scene in warm and humid conditions.
But for the past couple of years now, before the building went up in flames, Hotspur Press was at the centre of redevelopment controversy, where planning permission was being sought to transform the building into high-rise student accommodation – and it’s these proposals that prompted the petition calling for an authentic rebuild to be set up.
That and the fact that it was announced towards the end of last week that Hotspur Press was to be part-demolished.
A petition has been launched to rebuild Hotspur Press in its ‘original form’ following the devastating fire / Credit: The Manc Group | Jonathan Boswell (Submitted)
Already racking up more than 400 signatures and counting, the petition calls for the historic building to be restored ‘faithfully and fully’.
“The recent fire has robbed Manchester of one of its most iconic and historic buildings, a cornerstone of the city’s skyline and industrial heritage,” the petition reads. “Hotspur Press was not just bricks and mortar, it was a living reminder of the city’s printing legacy, a symbol of Manchester’s character and soul.
“What we don’t need is another anonymous block of luxury flats that serve investors over residents.
“We are tired of seeing our history erased for profit. We demand that what is rebuilt reflects the identity, memory, and voice of the people who actually live here.”
The petition concluded: “Buildings like Hotspur Press carry the stories of the people who built this city – and they deserve more than neglect, fire, or demolition. Let this be the turning point. Rebuild Hotspur Press, and set a precedent for putting people, history, and place before profit.”
If you’re in support, you can find out more and sign the petition here.
Thomas Melia -
2nd May 2025 
