A family home overlooking its own lake is currently on the market in Greater Manchester, and we can probably all agree it’s a real stunner.
The only thing is, you’ll just need the small matter of £1.6 million before you can call it yours.
It goes without saying that the vast majority of people reading this article won’t have £1.6 million just sitting in their bank account right now, and that properties of this stature are likely not the kind we’ll get to call home, so the next best thing we can do is just snoop around on good old Rightmove and have a nosey at all the jaw-dropping pictures instead.
Like us, if you’ve got no shame in admitting that one of your favourite internet pastimes is looking up houses you can’t afford in places you’ll probably never live, then let us introduce you to this gem over in Bolton.
We’re talking a beautifully-modern lake house that estate agents have called “truly unique” and “striking”, kind of a ‘gem’.
ADVERTISEMENT
This is The Lake House.
The Lake House is currently on the market in an unassuming Greater Manchester town / Credit: Newton & Co
Described as being one of the Greater Manchester town’s “best kept secrets”, this four-bedroom detached residence is located in the suburb of Lostock – which is known for being one of the borough’s most affluent and sought-after neighbourhoods that’s conveniently close to a wide range of amenities, excellent local schools, and transport links across the region and beyond – and it has so much to offer prospective buyers.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hidden in plain sight, but overlooking a Victorian formal pond of lake-size proportions, the property sits behind private gates amid its own expansive grounds at the end of what, you’d have to say, is a pretty run-of-the-mill residential street.
But this is far from being a run-of-the-mill house.
The four-bedroom detached family home is “truly unique” and packed with impressive features throughout / Credit: Newton & Co
The Lake House was actually built in 2010 in the garden of a traditional 1870s home, and back in the day, it was formerly owned by a local inventor who built a model railway in the gardens for local children to ride on.
ADVERTISEMENT
Estate agents say the property is so “unique”, in fact, that the current owners have even been approached by filmmakers in their time, who were eager to capture the location on the big screen.
As well as boasting several light and spacious reception rooms, a bespoke kitchen kitted-out with a range of modern fixtures, appliances, and a stunning AGA, four large bedrooms, and both family bathrooms and en-suites, the property also has countless other impressive hand-crafted features to its name behind the grand front doors.
Just a couple of these features include timber spiral staircases, some snazzy modern lighting fixtures throughout, a truly jaw-dropping coved glass ceiling feature, and a master bedroom with its own luxury dressing room.
It’ll set you back a whopping £1.6 million to call it yours / Credit: Newton & Co
The star of the show, though, has to be the elevated terrace that wraps around three sides of the property, making it the perfect place to relax all year round.
And, of course, the outside of the property is just as impressive as the inside… in fact, you could argue even more impressive, as the formal surrounding gardens not only include the lake and all its little quirks, like a range of different bridges, boating houses, and a clocktower, but they’ve also been maintained to the highest of standards, making them a massive credit to the current owners.
ADVERTISEMENT
The property also comes with a large double garage in its grounds – which houses its own workshop, a large office, and a bathroom – and there’s also the potential to create a separate annexe too.
The Lake House is currently on the market with Bolton-based independent estate agents, Newton & Co, 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.
Or you could just take the cheaper route instead and have a nosey at the Rightmove link here.
Featured Image – Newton & Co
Property
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)
Property
Manchester’s iconic Rylands building is being reborn – and the developers want to hear from you
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s iconic Rylands building, formerly home to the Debenhams department store, is being reborn.
And now the developers working on its new chapter want Mancunians to weigh in on which businesses we want to see in the landmark building.
The transformation of Rylands Manchester will honour the heritage character of the building, which dates back to 1932, but will introduce contemporary design and a list of residents that’s bang up to date for our modern city centre.
The plans include building a four-storey extension with panoramic city views and a bright, central atrium. When it completes, this Grade II-listed art deco building will bring together workspace, retail, and leisure, right at the beating heart of town between the Northern Quarter, Piccadilly, Manchester Arndale, and the central business district.
Standing proudly at the top of Market Street, this next era for Rylands will establish it as an exciting new destination in the heart of town when its phased completion begins from late 2026.
Already confirmed to be moving in is Market Place Food Hall with its first northern location, which has signed on for a 15 year lease to occupy the ground floor of Rylands.
Market Place Food Hall is already confirmed to be moving into RylandsRylands is entering a new era
But now Rylands are putting it back to locals to ask what shops, restaurants, or cafes we’d love to see moving in.
It could be a high street hero you’ve loved for years, an independent business you’ve fallen for, or a foodie spot you return to time and time again.
Your ideas could help to shape the future of this landmark building and make it a destination us Mancs can be proud of.
And if you submit your suggestions in the comments of THIS Instagram post, you could be in with a chance of winning a £100 Love2Shop voucher (make sure you’re following @Rylands_manchester for a chance to win).
Emily Sergeant -
19th June 2024 
