Grange Road, Ashton Hayes, Chester

Enjoying a stunning setting with superb views and set in circa 1.8 acre, a remarkable four bedroom, four bathroom period residence of 3482 square feet with tennis court, paddock, dell and croquet lawn
Comment from Robert Reed of Gascoigne Halman

No matter how much I write in this description, there is no sufficient combination of words to fully do justice to what is an exceptional one off period residence of immense size, character and very substantial appeal. It stands in an outstanding position with superb rural views and having been owned by the same family since 1986, this can truly be said to be a one in thirty seven year buying opportunity! With four bedrooms, two en suites, two bathrooms and three reception rooms, this is a fabulous and flexible family home.

I will start by sharing a little history of the site. The original property on the site is believed to have been a 17th or 18th century farmhouse with the name 'Ashton Grange Farm'. Various extensions to the original property and the second floor were added in Victorian times, and, in the 1930s, a three-storey extension was built on the east elevation of the building.

The sixteen bedroom building was split into two eight bedroom properties in 1981. The present Grange House and neighbouring three bedroom Well House were then configured from the eastern half of the property in 2010, to form two modern layouts with separate services. The present owners enjoy the location so much that they are only moving next door, into the Well House and accordingly, we have been honoured with instructions to market and sell the Grange House.

The house itself is spread over three floors and extends to just under 3500 square feet in total. My first observation is that this is an ideal family house, with ample space, immense character and tremendous versatility.

The first impression, beyond the boot room and entrance vestibule is a fabulous dining hall, a wonderful space. The ground floor also has a magnificent principal reception room with access to the south east facing terrace and a breakfast kitchen with space for table and chairs and again, direct access to the outside terrace as per the drawing room.

Upstairs on the first floor, there are ample options for those with a large family. The largest room is presently laid out as a sitting room, providing a perfect family break out or gathering space. This room has a large bay window and enjoys wonderful elevated views over the adjoining countryside. There are also two double bedrooms and two bathrooms on this level.

On the second floor are two large and characterful double bedrooms, each with their own distinctive style and personality and also both with the contemporary appeal of an en suite shower room each, the most recent of which was completed in July 2024.

So the house is marvellous, but then so is the outside space. This is easily one of the most varied, interesting, diverse and intelligently designed external arrangements I have ever come across and at 1.8 acres in total, it is a size befitting that of the overall property.

For those who enjoy a healthy sense of competition, the croquet lawn is a real treat and the floodlit full size tennis court is hugely enjoyed on a weekly basis. The present owners do love a game, and would be happy to have a game of doubles with the new owners, but perhaps only after exchange of contracts! Given my fading sporting abilities compared to my younger days, being the ball boy may be my most appropriate contribution¿¿

The Dell is a stunning area, which peaks in the Spring, but can be enjoyed all year round. Snow drops are followed by daffodils, then bluebells. The banks of the dell feature many flowering plants, including rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, and a magnolia tree. Within the east end of the Dell there is a rock sculpture entitled ¿Boulders 1¿ by Clare Parry. The massive boulders came from a quarry in Dudley, and the west facing surfaces are plated with a lead-zinc alloy which reflect the sun, and bring them to life.

The arbour, with its curved bench seat, provides an ideal place for afternoon tea, an evening drink, or to watch the croquet being played on the main lawn. The Paddock is currently in its second year of its conversion into a wild flower garden. The greenhouse is provided with an external water tap, and electric lighting and power. The shed, which is of blockwork construction, is sized as a 1½ car garage, and currently provides storage for the larger garden equipment. Its metal roof is a perfect site for the photovoltaic panels, at an easily maintainable and cleanable height. There is also a small brick building, a garden store, which is used for smaller garden tools.

This is an amazing house for entertaining and with ample parking on the driveway for at least eight cars, you can host a great size gathering.

This instruction excites me as much as any in my career to date, and when you view it you will understand why!

For a personal description of the property or to arrange a viewing, please contact myself or a member of the team at the Tarporley office.

Accommodation and Dimensions

As detailed on the floorplan.

Location

Ashton Hayes is a very popular village just nine miles from the city centre of Chester and six miles from the beautiful Georgian High Street of Tarporley. The village is picturesque and enjoys many amenities including a well stocked community run village store and post office, established children's nursery and well supported, very active Parish Church.

Ashton Hayes also has a playground, community café with rooms for hire and an active community with many interest groups. Ashton Hayes is aiming to become England's first carbon neutral village, has become famous for its efforts and has now established a community energy company.

In terms of education, the village has its own highly regarded CoE primary school and the area as a whole is renowned for excellent educational choice in both the state and private sector. In the state sector Helsby High School, Tarporley High School and Christleton High School are in within travelling distance whilst options in the private sector include Kings, Queens and Abbeygate in Chester and The Grange in Hartford.

Just over a mile away is the nearby village of Mouldsworth. Amenities here include the Goshawk Public House / Restaurant and Mouldsworth Railway Station providing a direct link on the Chester to Manchester line. In addition to Mouldsworth there are railways stations at Helsby, Chester, Delamere, Runcorn, Frodsham and Hartford. Mouldsworth also has a Catholic Church and just up the road into nearby Manley, there is a thriving village hall with full size snooker table and an active series of activities and events.

The area as a whole is ideal for the business traveller with key commuting locations including Liverpool (31 miles), Manchester (38 miles) and Warrington (19 miles). Excellent links to North Wales and the wider motorway network are found close at hand via the A55, M6, M56 and M53. There are international airports at Liverpool and Manchester whilst Media City UK is located at Salford Quays.

Leisure facilities and attractive lifestyle options are found in abundance in and around this beautiful part of Cheshire. There are superb walks on the doorstep whilst the remarkable Delamere Forest can be accessed on foot for those who enjoy long walks in the countryside.

For those who enjoy golf, there are renowned membership courses at Delamere, Sandiway and Tarporley and for further day to day needs there is state of the art newly built medical centre in nearby Kelsall, Pharmacies in Kelsall, Tarvin and Tarporley and a range of amenities and supermarkets in Chester, Frodsham and Northwich.

Directions

From Tarporley leave in the direction of Chester and upon reaching the roundabout take the second exit onto the A51 Chester. Proceed along for several miles passing through Clotton and then the village of Duddon. Having passed Okells Nursery on the left hand side continue straight on until reaching the Tarvin roundabout. At the roundabout take the second exit (right turn) and proceed along for a couple of miles until you see a left hand turn signposted Mouldsworth and Ashton Hayes. Take this left turn and proceed into the village of Ashton Hayes. Proceed past the Golden Lion pub (undergoing refurbishment), the children¿s nursery on the right and the Church and School on the left, proceed for a little further and just before the 50mph sign, branch right onto Grange Road. Proceed up the single track tree lined road for 1/3 of a mile, then turn off sharp right, following the signs to The Grange House, along a rhododendron-lined drive, then past the tennis court to a large parking and turning area.

Services and additional information

Water: mains supply, unmetered

Electricity: mains supply, single phase: 100 amp supply, supplemented by photovoltaic panels rated at 4kW.

Drainage: foul to a septic tank and sewage system; surface water to drains common with neighbouring properties.

Telephone: two landlines

Broadband: superfast available

Alarm: a monitored intruder alarm system is installed

The property has an array of PV panels, generating up to 4kW.

The flues in use are the boiler flue (lined), the dining hall log burner flue (lined), and the drawing room fireplace flue (unlined). All the remaining flues in the house are blocked and are not to be used.


Energy Performance Certificate

The property has a current EPC, with a C rating. It was undertaken in August 2022, valid until 3 August 2032; Certificate number:2220-6283-9020-3006-2091.

Council Tax Banding

The council tax banding is G.

Driveway

The property has the right to use the access drive from Grange Road over the sections of the drive owned by Ashton Grange and The Well House. It should be noted that the drive of the Grange House is at the end of the road, so Ashton Grange and The Well House have no rights to enter or use the drive of The Grange House. Full details as part of contract of sale.

Central heating information

There is an oil-fired central heating system to the property, serving radiators with TRVs in each habitable room. The family bathroom and the two second floor ensuites are additionally provided with electric underfloor heating. The heating system also provides the hot water service via a separate pumped primary circuit to two cylinders, each with back up provided by electric immersion heaters. This primary circuit also heats the towel rails in the first floor bathrooms, and radiators in the kitchen and utility. This means that, in the intermediate heating seasons, the present owners have found it not necessary to run the main heating system, a helpful running cost saving.

The hot water pipe from the cylinder to the kitchen tap is trace heated. The kitchen sink, in addition to its water supplies, is provided with a steam tap.

VIEWING

Viewing by appointment with the Agents Tarporley office.

WANT TO MOVE BUT NEED TO SELL?
If you are interested in this property but need to sell your own home in Cheshire, South Manchester or the Peak District, Gascoigne Halman can provide a free, no obligation market appraisal and valuation of your own home. We are proud to be the leading estate agent in the area, with a network of twenty two offices - full contact details can be located on our website. Robert Reed is the manager of the Tarporley office.

The Tarporley team consists of Robert, Pamela, Oliver, Sally, Zoe, Clive, Sam and Tresa - we pride ourselves on being not just professional and efficient but also warm and welcoming. If you are in the village and fancy a coffee, do come in and say hello. We are located at 62 High Street, Tarporley, six premises to the left of Tarporley Parish Church. Our building is a landmark in the village, having above the shop front a beautiful illuminated fully working heritage clock.


NOTICE

Gascoigne Halman for themselves and for the vendors or lessors of this property whose agents they are give notice that: (i) the particulars are set out as a general outline only for the guidance of intending purchasers or lessees, and do not constitute, nor constitute part of, an offer or contract; (ii) all descriptions, dimensions, references to condition and necessary permissions for use and occupation, and other details are given in good faith and are believed to be correct but any intending purchasers or tenants should not rely on them as statements or representations of fact but must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of each of them; (iii) no person in the employment of Gascoigne Halman has any authority to make or give any representation or warranty whatever in relation to this property.