Rightmove has revealed its list of the most-viewed homes of 2023, and unsurprisingly (given that this sentence involves the words ‘£10 million’ and ‘manor’), a £10m Cheshire manor house made the list.
We all love to torture ourselves looking at beautiful things we’ll probably never own (like Harry Styles), so it’s no wonder that the most-viewed houses are all at least £2m.
In 2023, we were nosey at a £75m mansion in Buckinghamshire, a Victorian Villa set within actual palace grounds, an 18-bedroom castle, and a Lake District home in private countryside.
But also making the list was Blackden Manor, a Grade II-listed manor house in Goostrey, not far from Greater Manchester.
This sprawling house has six bedrooms, a butler’s pantry, a wine cellar AND a temperature-controlled wine display room, a drawing room, dining room, sitting room and kitchen/breakfast room, a billiard room with a hidden bar, a gym, a LIBRARY, and loads more.
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The Cheshire manor house has been constructed around a central courtyard and retains loads of original period features.
While some rooms are still historic, with wood-panelled walls and ornate fireplaces, others are modern and filled with state-of-the-art fixtures.
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You can even see Jodrell Bank from here while roaming around your 28.5 acres of land.
The Cheshire manor house has an outdoor poolThe bedrooms retain period featuresInside the Cheshire manor house’s landscaped groundsA temperature-controlled wine room in the Cheshire manor houseThe billiard room in the Cheshire manor houseThe modern kitchen and dining room in the Cheshire manor houseClick or swipe through the gallery to see more photos of the Cheshire manor house
It’s not just the main manor house included £10m price tag – the property also has a self-contained annexe for staff or a relative, and an entire cottage in the grounds with three more bedrooms and its own garden.
Outside, there’s a five-car garage with storage above, a two-storey barn with scope for development, an outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court, landscape gardens, a lake, and a paddock.
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Crispin Harris, director of Jackson-Stops, who are listing the home, said: “One of the finest country houses I have ever had the pleasure of visiting, Blackden Manor is an exemplar of creating modern living within the context of a beautiful Listed building”
Rightmove’s property expert Tim Bannister said of the most-viewed homes of 2023: “Home-hunters have taken a look inside some of the grandest homes on the market during their search this year, with unique features ranging from a home gym and swimming pool, to a library and even a temperature controlled wine cellar.”
You can see the full listing for the Cheshire manor house here.
‘Own a landmark, create a legacy’ – Historic chimney goes on sale for £300k in Bolton
Emily Sergeant
How would you like to live in a big chimney?
I know that might sound like an odd question, and in some respects, it is… but we’re being 100% genuine, as over in Bolton there is currently a historic local landmark on the market with planning permission to make it into your new home, and it’ll only set you back £300,000.
‘Only’ is a bit of a stretch, but when you consider the magnitude of this property, it’s surprising that you’re able to get your hands on it for such a reasonable price.
This is Barrow Bridge Chimney.
Rising above the tranquil stone cottages and wooded valley of the stunning model village that is Barrow Bridge, this striking Victorian chimney stands as a lone sentinel of Bolton’s proud industrial past – and now, with full planning permission secured, estate agents say it offers an ‘extraordinary opportunity’ to reimagine history as a truly one-of-a-kind home.
A historic chimney has gone on sale for £300k in Bolton / Credit: Miller Metcalfe
Originally built in the early 19th century as part of the ‘ambitious’ Dean Mills complex, the chimney once crowned a thriving cotton-spinning hub founded by Thomas Bazley, who was one of the Industrial Revolution’s great innovators.
Long after the mills fell silent though, the chimney endured and remained a local landmark in Smithills visible for miles, and today this relic of the steam age is ready for its next chapter.
Approved plans for the chimney are described as being a ‘bold’ residential conversion that will honour its industrial heritage, while still creating a dramatic modern dwelling like no other in the town.
The planning permission is in place for a two-storey residence of approximately 3,939 sq ft, with a striking contemporary design blended seamlessly with practical living.
The planning permission is in place for a ‘striking’ two-storey residence / Credit: Miller Metcalfe
The approved plans include three spacious bedrooms (two with en-suites), a family bathroom, a downstairs cloakroom, and a study that can easily adapted to a four-bedroom, four-bathroom layout to suit modern family life.
What makes this an even more attractive prospect for future buyers is that the chimney is well-connected to both amenities and nature – with both independent businesses, good local schools, and convenient transport links on the doorstep, as well as parks and tree-lined walks.
“This is your chance to own more than bricks and mortar,” estate agents Miller Metcalfe said.
“It’s a chance to live inside a landmark, to shape its story for future generations, and to call a piece of Bolton’s proud industrial heritage your own. Enquire now to discover how you can transform this iconic chimney into a legacy home that will stand for generations to come.”
Fancy it then? Take a look at the property on Rightmove here.
Featured Image – Miller Metcalfe
Property
Manchester furniture outlet LOFT is hosting a major closing-down sale with up to 70% off
Emily Sergeant
Manchester furniture outlet LOFT is hosting a major closing-down sale with up to 70% off.
Okay, so it’s not technically closing down per se, but the current LOFT premises off Hyde Road near Piccadilly will officially close doors on 30 September, as the business consolidates its operations and relocates to its newly completed headquarters over at Trafford Park.
Unlike a typical closing-down sale, the stock isn’t old or unwanted. Instead, it’s a live snapshot of LOFT’s day-to-day business, and everything must go.
LOFT is known for furnishing properties across the build-to-rent, student accommodation, co-living, private rented, and social housing sectors, and that constant turnover naturally generates surplus – whether it be project overstock, end-of-line pieces or discontinued items making way for new collections.
The move over to Trafford Park is said to be a moment to clear the warehouse ‘completely’ and start the new chapter with a clean slate.
Manchester furniture outlet LOFT is hosting a major closing-down sale with up to 70% off / Credit: Supplied
This means that everything, from sofas and beds, to dining sets, armchairs, and home accessories, must go before the move, with prices already reduced by 50 to 70% below RRP.
Benjamin Hall, who is the Founder and CEO of LOFT, says this is the ‘biggest and best value’ sale the company has ever offered.
He explained: “As we settle into our new home at Trafford Park, we want a completely clean slate. Whether you’re a homeowner after a one-off bargain, or a landlord, agent or developer furnishing multiple units on a budget, there has never been a better time to visit.”
Daisy Jackson -
5th January 2024 
