The Reading Room, Spring Street, Ramsbottom BL0 0DS: Restored 1860s Gem with High-Spec Interior

The Reading Room, 11 Spring Street, Ramsbottom, BL0 0DS

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A Restored Historic Gem 

Discover The Reading Room – a local treasure positioned a mere five-minute drive from the charming market town of Ramsbottom and sandwiched an easy commute from Rawtenstall and Bury. Dating back to the 1860s, it originally housed a subscription library and newsroom. Later, it became home to the Bank Lane Friendly Burial Society before slowly falling into disrepair. 

Attracted by the building’s unique role in the area’s Victorian past, the current owner has transformed the property inside and out, creating a high-specification home centred around a communal hub at its heart.

The painstaking restoration process involved converting the building from agricultural to residential use, extending it to create more living space with rural views from the roof terrace and adding an upper storey for a private top-floor suite. Now, wherever you turn, you’re met by top-quality materials, including a SieMatic German kitchen with Bosch integrated appliances, engineered wood flooring, solid internal doors, and stylish sanitaryware, fixtures, and fittings.

Welcome Home

Arriving in the hamlet of Shuttleworth, you’ll find The Reading Room on the corner of Spring Street – a short, quiet road lined with stone houses and enjoying lovely views across the rolling hills. There’s parking for three cars on the gravelled area at the front of the property, which has been sand-blasted back to its original stonework to complement the stone lintels, a brand new roof, and anthracite-grey window frames.

Come to the side to find the main entrance, set above a few stone steps and illuminated by a traditional hanging lantern. Framed by a stone porch, the contemporary front door invites you into a large, spot-lit hallway warmed by a sleek designer radiator (seen throughout). 

Pass a huge window facing the countryside beyond to find a modern cloakroom. Lined with gorgeous chrome-trimmed tiles, it’s fitted with a wall-mounted vanity basin unit with a mirror, a toilet with a chrome flush plate, and a flat-panelled chrome heated towel rail.

The Beating Heart

Return to the hallway, with its split-level carpeted staircase, and follow the soft grey and Cornforth white paintwork and beautiful parquet wooden flooring into an incredible spot-lit dining kitchen and living room. Flooded in natural light by three huge hill-side windows and bi-fold doors to the roof terrace and heated by a trio of coordinating designer radiators, it’s a fabulously bright and warm hub for wining and dining, entertaining or just hanging out with family and friends. Open the bi-folds to spend time together on the balcony or soak in the view over to the Peel Monument with a brew or evening drinks.

One corner is dedicated to the snazzy SieMatic German kitchen, which pairs an excellent range of dark wood cabinetry with white quartz tops to match the central island bar under the chic curved pendant light. The kitchen is fitted with integrated Bosch appliances, including an oven and microwave, an induction venting hob, a wine fridge, and a concealed fridge-freezer and dishwasher.

A Private First Floor Escape

Upstairs, a thick cream carpet flows across a totally private, top-floor suite. Decorated to match the subtle colour scheme below, the entire level is lit by ceiling spots and Velux windows, giving the whole space a plush, executive feel.  

The bedroom is a fantastic size and benefits from eaves storage, while a white-panelled backlit wall with sockets on either side forms the perfect backdrop for a king-sized bed. Continue into the adjoining dressing room to find even more eaves storage and plenty of opportunity for wardrobes, drawers, and a vanity table. For young families, it could also serve as a nursery.

Ultimate luxury awaits in your dedicated en suite. Here, hotel-quality chrome-trimmed floor and wall tiles complement a showstopping freestanding bath beneath a backlit toiletry alcove and a sky-view; a substantial walk-in rainfall shower complete with spa-style stone seat; a wall-mounted basin vanity unit with backlit mirror; a wall-hung toilet with chrome flush plate; and a heated towel rail. 

Retreat Downstairs 

Return to the ground floor before descending to the lower level, beginning with a hallway lined with parquet flooring. The tonal paintwork combines with cream carpets in the three spot-lit bedrooms. The largest boasts an impressive arched window and a high-spec, fully tiled three-piece bathroom with a rainfall shower enclosure. Bedroom three enjoys views from another statement arched window, which also replaces one of the original arched doors, while two tall windows brighten the final spacious double, which could be repurposed as a snug or study.

Explore further to find a spot-lit family bathroom with luxe tiling and sanitaryware to match the en suites. It also features an L-shaped bath (with a glass screen and rainfall shower) and a full-width mirror.  

The utility room is positioned near the bedrooms and bathrooms, conveniently preventing laundry from migrating upstairs. With a practical tiled floor, built-in storage, a sink, and space for two appliances, it’s the first place you’ll pass through if you use the stylish door from the gravelled parking area at the front. This entrance is preferable when returning from a hillside walk or days out, allowing you to clean up before heading into the main house.  

Fresh Air & Views 

Open the bifold doors in the kitchen to step out onto the roof terrace. Begin on the composite deck, leaning on the wall to watch birds fly over the hills rolling into the distance and spot the Peel Monument. The terrace steps down onto an Indian stone patio enclosed by slatted fencing, creating a private spot to relax and soak up some sunshine or set up the barbecue.

On Your Doorstep

Nestled on River Irwell in the West Pennine Moors, the delightful market town of Ramsbottom lies 3.9 miles northwest of Bury and 12 miles from Manchester. It boasts popular shops, boutiques, restaurants and bars, including an award-winning brewery, while Victorian architecture and the East Lancashire Railway offer a glimpse into its industrial past. 

Stop by the Theatre Royal for some culture in the town centre, and make sure you’re around for the highly tempting Ramsbottom chocolate festival and the annual black-pudding throwing world championships allegedly dating back to the War of the Roses. There are also plenty of amenities, such as supermarkets, a library, a dentist and a leisure centre, to cater to your day-to-day needs.

The surrounding rural landscape provides endless walks and days out, including Holcombe Hill – home to the historic Peel Monument and a great viewing point for stargazing or watching firework displays – and several parks and nature reserves on your doorstep. 

The local section of the Irwell Sculpture Trail in nearby Nuttall Park is another popular route. Across the river, you’ll also find a waterside sports stadium and football and cricket clubs. Alternatively, you can explore the Peak District and Yorkshire Dale National Parks, the Forest of Bowland AONB, and the West Coast within an hour’s drive. 

The riverside setting and heritage railway continue in Bury, named the Greater Manchester Town of Culture in 2021. Make sure you pick up fresh produce from the market or take advantage of the town’s Purple Flag status whenever you fancy a night out. The Met is also renowned for its English folk festivals, comedy and theatre. 

Schools

Schooling-wise, you have various options just minutes away, including the Ofsted-rated ‘Good’ Stubbins Primary School, St Andrew’s CE Primary, St Joseph's RC Primary School, Woodhey Secondary in Holcombe Brook, and Rossendale Special School, also rated ‘Good’. You’ll also find well-rated nurseries in the town and grammar schools in nearby Rossendale and Bury.   

Getting Around  

Travelling around the area is simple. Hop onto the M66 running alongside the town to join the M62 and M60 for quick links to Manchester (12 miles), Liverpool (40m), and Leeds (45m). You can also reach Chorlton Street in Manchester by bus, an hourly service that runs from the stop by St Paul’s Church, or hop on a train at Entwist station for a 45-minute commute. Additionally, Bromley Cross station runs Northern line services and trains to London Euston (c. 3 hours).