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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Or you could just take the cheaper route instead and have a nosey at the Rightmove link here.
Featured image – Savills
Property
Developers share new look at Stockport’s newest indie neighbourhood at Weir Mill
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester has been given another peek at the new neighbourhood and hangout spot in Stockport, Weir Mill.
Situated on the banks of the River Mersey, which runs through the heart of the old Cheshire town, Stopfordians will be more than familiar with the old building, which sits in the shadow of the Hat Works Museum tower.
The familiar North Western red brick is set to remain a noticeable structure below the recognisable Victorian Viaduct, but beneath it is set to become the home of at least new independent businesses.
Now, developers Capital and Centric have shared further glimpses at what they’re hoping the mini-district will look like when finished…
We visited the site back in 2023 not long after work begun.They have big plans to make it a suburban destination.Credit: The Manc Group/Capital and Centric
As you can see, besides the new homes and other buildings popping up in and around SK, this particular development (which will hopefully replicate the success of similar canalside regenerations such as those in Manchester city centre’s New Islington Marina) spans a whopping 65,000 sq ft.
Revolving around a new village epicentre, of sorts – simply known as Weaver Square – will see an influx of at least 10 new bars, restaurants, cafés and more indie traders spilling out of Weir Mill’s soon-to-be transformed ground floor onto what they hope will be a bustling new terrace.
Come the summer, this could be a great suntrap spot, too.
Aiming to bring these varied, open, social spaces to life with both local businesses and residents in mind, they’re promising live music, street food pop-ups, parties and al fresco eats under the iconic arches.
Pictured below, the space will not only include the aforementioned riverside terrace but a central courtyard with a lush, green, plant-laden sunken courtyard in the middle, plus plenty of other nooks teeming with character.
After being greenlit by Stockport Council, the project itself has actually been moving forward since 2022, but it now appears like it’s starting to take real shape.
Credit: Supplied
Cllr Micheala Meikle, Stockport‘s cabinet member for economy, skills and regeneration, states: “Our UK-leading town centre regeneration is about more than building new homes, it’s about creating vibrant neighbourhoods and breathing new life into Stockport’s heritage, giving our historic buildings a future.”
“While the Grade-II listed former mill is being carefully restored for residents, the new public square will create opportunities for independent businesses to thrive and for people from across the borough to come and enjoy our buzzing town centre.
“It is incredibly exciting to see how our riverside will soon be opened up into an inviting outdoor space where local communities can come together over great food, live music, and creative events from day into night.”
Better still, with Stockport’s growing transport links as part of the Bee Network only set to be extended further in the coming years, Weir Mill will be a simple train/tram ride away soon enough.
Greater Manchester town named one of Britain’s ‘happiest’ places to live in 2026
Emily Sergeant
The top 10 happiest places to live in Great Britain for 2026 have been named, and the north is well represented.
Just as it has done for the last 13 years now, Rightmove has published its annual ‘Happy at Home’ index, which explores exactly what it is that makes people feel content about where they live, and highlights the happiest places nationwide ahead of the new year.
This year, thousands of residents across more than 200 locations 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 outlines the differences in happiness in rural, urban, and suburban environments, as well as the way our sense of ‘home happiness’ changes as we age.
And among the top 10 happiest places to live, Rightmove has selected five northern towns for the list, including two here in the North West – and, crucially, one in Greater Manchester.
Altrincham was named the sixth happiest place to live in Britain.
Altrincham has been named one of Britain’s happiest places to live / Credit: The Manc Group
The Trafford town often gets its name thrown around in conversations like this, and with the variety of homes available, plenty of good local schools, great access to green space, and an ever-expanding retail environment and dining scene in the town centre – including the popular Altrincham Market, and the Stamford Quarter – it’s really not hard to see why.
Rightmove said that the average house price in Altrincham in 2025 was £643,244 and the average rental price (per calendar month) was £2,698, which does put the town up there with most most expensive in our region, it has to be said.
Elsewhere on the top 10 list, it was the popular Yorkshire town of Skipton that took the crown as Britain’s happiest place to live.
Macclesfield in Cheshire was the other North West inclusion at number seven, and then the other northern towns ranked in the top 10 are Harrogate at four and Hexham, in Northumberland, at number 10.
When it comes to the wider rankings, and the North West ranking as a whole, no other Greater Manchester town made it into the region’s top five, however Stockport did find itself in the North West’s top 10 in the sixth spot.
A sense of belonging and wellbeing, and how the environment shapes daily life were highlighted as major influencing factors on the top 10.
But Rightmove did admit that this year’s survey showed there are many different layers that combine to influence what is or isn’t a happy and fulfilling lifestyle.
“Interestingly, this year’s survey shows that our happiness with where we live often grows with age,” Rightmove said of this year’s Index.
“Residents aged 18-24 were the least likely to say they felt happy where they live. Happiness then increases through the age brackets, with those aged 65 and over being the most likely to feel happy with where they live.”
Featured Image – Roger Kidd (via Wikimedia Commons)
Emily Sergeant -
12th August 2024 
