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
A historic Stockport pub has officially become a listed building
Danny Jones
The Angel Inn pub in Stockport has officially become the thriving Greater Manchester borough’s latest listed building.
Being granted Grade II-listed status following an extensive visit and survey by Historic England (HE), Stockport Market Place’s Angel Inn may have had a lick of paint amidst the ‘Old Town Revival’ over the last decade or so, but the pub itself was erected back in the 16th century.
Reopened as one of the area’s most beloved boozers back in 2018, whilst still maintaining key fixtures and that feeling of authenticity, it harks back to the town’s Cheshire roots and taps into a deep vein of local culture.
The assessment, which was completed earlier this month, means that Angel Inn has been recognised as having special architectural or historic significance – i.e. the definition of a listed building.
Writing in a post on social media, the government-backed English heritage organisation detailed that while the inn predates the Early Modern/post-medieval period, the Angel‘s frame is comprised of wood from the 15th century.
But it gets even more interesting than that…
As well as being one of a select few surviving, traditional wattle-and-daub structures in the UK – nearby Bramall Hall being another (and a technique that had died out by the 18th century) – a close inspection of the internal floorboards unearthed something truly fascinating.
It just so happens that tests by HE proved that one particular plank of flooring “was cut from a tree alive in 1086, the year the Domesday Book was completed: the oldest government record held in The National Archives, commissioned by William the Conqueror.
How bloody cool is that?
It’s also worth noting that it’s genuinely a brilliant boozer and one of the most popular watering holes you’ll find in the town centre, promising a cosy interior, an intimate little outdoor area out back and serving plenty of regional ales.
You only have to glance at the exterior to clue into its age, let alone what there is to be found inside.Way back when.Credit: Historic England (handout)/Stockport Archives
Although they say it’s likely that the floorboard in question was originally cut for an earlier building situated in the same location, it still goes to show how old this particular North West settlement is.
“The name ‘Angel Inn’ dates from as early as 1769, though the site’s hospitality roots extend further, with references to “Cotterell’s inn” used for sequestrators’ meetings in the 1640s, who met to organise the confiscation of property of supporters of King Charles I during The English Civil War”, HE went on to add.
Angel Inn is one of only a handful of venues like this in Greater Manchester and Cheshire; safe to say a lot of time, effort and money are being put into preserving these links to the past.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Historic England (handout)/Stockport Archives
Property
The local property developers helping Mancs buy a home without the large deposit
Emily Sergeant
A North West developer that specialises in creating Shared Ownership homes currently has eight new developments under construction across Manchester.
Getting your foot on theproperty ladder or taking the next step to owning a bigger home can be one of the most challenging things to do and is often not financially viable for a lot of people – and this is whereGecko Homes‘ unique Shared Ownership scheme comes in.
The developer is enabling first time buyers and other qualifying homebuyers to purchase shares in its homes instead.
With deposits from as little as £2,438, the scheme means residents can buy shares ranging from 10% all the way up to 75% instead and then pay rent on the rest, with the option to increase the share percentage at later dates, all the way up to outright ownership.
Gecko Homes is helping Mancs get on the property ladder / Credit: Supplied
As mentioned, the company is currently working on eight new developments across Manchester in some of the city’s most sought-after suburbs, and prospective buyers can now register their interest.
One of the most popular developments currently underway is ‘Tatton Place’ in Sale – which is a redevelopment of a historic Masonic Hall and police station into 31 homes, including two and three-bedroom houses, one and two-bedroom apartments, and several stunning duplexes, all with access to both private and communal gardens.
Another key development is ‘Emerald Way’ over in the popular Manchester suburban town of Chorlton, where prices start from £60,625 for a 25% share, meaning a buyer would only need a deposit of £3,031.
Over in West Didsbury is one of largest ongoing developments called ‘Two Didsbury Point’, which is a £20 million scheme of 76 affordable homes across two connected eight and five-storey blocks – 46 of those being for shared ownership – on the site of the former Withington Hospital, with an outdoor communal terrace and green spaces for residents to enjoy.
Another one of the developments currently in the works that prospective buyers can now register their interest for is ‘Boundary View’, which lies in the thriving Manchester community of Old Trafford.
“Our Shared Ownership model has transformed people’s lives by giving them a way onto the property ladder in a modern, stylish, and high-quality home that they can afford to live in,” explained Christina Tattersall, who is the Head of Sales at Gecko Homes.
Eight developments are currently underway across Manchester / Credit: Supplied
“All of our latest developments are already generating high levels of interest from local people who want to live in some of Manchester’s most popular and vibrant suburbs that all benefit from great amenities and regular transport links.
“Each development will be finished to a very high specification, with contemporary kitchens and bathrooms, as well as luxury floorings and quality fixtures and fittings throughout.”
Residents interested in any of these developments are asked to visit Gecko Homes’ website here to find out more and register their details now.
Prices shown are based on 25% Shared Ownership and a 95% LTV mortgage. All properties are bought as leasehold, with full terms applying, and prices shown may be subject to change and are a guide only.
Emily Sergeant -
12th August 2024 
