Built in 1750, this handsome four-bedroom townhouse lies in the centre of Congleton, Cheshire. Finely proportioned, the house’s classical red brick façade is a picture of symmetry and elegance. Unfolding across nearly 3,000 sq ft internally, it has retained many original features, including a beautiful Georgian staircase, contributing to its Grade-II listed status. Externally, a well-established garden extends up to 180 ft from the house. The garden is thoughtfully divided into distinct entertaining spaces, including terraced patios and a pretty orchard at the rear. Congleton itself is a charming market town with excellent transport connections. Both Manchester and Liverpool are easily accessible, and regular direct train services running from nearby Crewe to London Euston make commuting to the capital easy.

Setting the Scene

Constructed during the mid-18th century, this remarkable house is a perfect example of high Georgian architecture. Its three symmetrical stories, fashioned from red brick, exemplify the era's elegance. Punctuated by sash windows with moulded stone heads and sills, the house is defined by refined simplicity. At its centre, a pilaster doorcase has a pediment and a semi-circular radial fanlight.

Acknowledging its historical significance, the house received a prestigious Grade-II listing in 1975. It forms a part of Lawton Street, a historic road in the town’s centre, known for its eclectic blend of architectural styles. Along this storied street, there are 17th-century timbered pubs nestled alongside sophisticated Georgian townhouses and unassuming Victorian terraces, all built from traditional red brick. For more information, please see the History section below.

The Grand Tour

Entry is to a grand entrance hall with chequerboard tiles underfoot and a Georgian staircase ahead. The double drawing room lies to the left. It has dual-aspect views and is painted a classic, creamy off-white. Decorative wall panelling and a moulded stone fireplace with a wood-burning stove create an inviting ambience, complemented by original timber floorboards and sash windows flanked by shutters.

Adjacent to the drawing room is the dining room, painted in the pretty blue-grey shade 'Pigeon' by Farrow & Ball. Overlooking Lawton Street to the front, the room echoes the drawing room with the same decorative panel work and original timber shutters, centred around another moulded stone fireplace accented in crisp white tones. Traditional cast-iron radiators complete this room and are found throughout the house.

A large kitchen is at the rear of the home and has lovely blue cabinetry by Browns Furniture, a local family-run business that has been trading for over 100 years, topped with durable wood worktops. Natural light floods the space through dual-aspect windows overlooking the garden and patio area. Cleverly designed with built-in appliances, the kitchen also has space for a secondary oven or Aga, with room for a more informal dining space. External access leads to a utility room with a separate WC.

On the first floor are three large bedrooms and a family bathroom. The front two bedrooms have views of the historic street, and are finished in a neutral palette of shades complete with working slat shutters. Overlooking the tranquil garden, the serene third bedroom has access to the eaves spaces. The family bathroom on this floor has a claw-foot, roll-top bath, a walk-in shower, vanity, and WC.

The entire top floor is given over to the primary bedroom suite. This expansive space features a vast bedroom spanning the width of the house, complete with a separate seating area and wood-burning stove. A walk-in wardrobe and a separate en suite, clad in mosaic tiles, with a walk-in shower, vanity dresser, and WC.

The house is fitted with fibre optic broadband, and includes a substantial basement on the lower ground floor, currently used for storage and additional utility space.

The Great Outdoors

The enclosed, south-facing garden lies at the rear of the house, accessed through the entrance hall. Stretching an impressive 180 ft, this unusually long garden has been thoughtfully divided into multiple entertaining spaces. Terraced patios are shaded by a graceful weeping willow and surrounded by lusciously planted beds, full of roses, chrysanthemums and other herbaceous perennials and mature flowering shrubs. A rolling lawn bordered by high-privacy hedges lies to the rear of the plan with a useful greenhouse. The garden also has a well-established, charming orchard at the rear, complete with plum, peach and both cooking and eating varieties of apple trees. A pedestrian gate with separate access completes this wonderful outdoor space.

Out and About  

Lawton Street, in the middle of historic Congleton, seamlessly connects to the bustling High Street and the pedestrianised Bridge Street beyond. This lovely street has charming cafes, shops, and delis, creating a lively atmosphere. To add to the charm, a popular market takes place every Tuesday and Saturday. There is also a collection of historic pubs, including the atmospheric Prince of Wales and the craft beer haven Barley Hops.

There are plenty of good schools in the area, with several primary and secondary schools, including the currently Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Saint Mary’s Catholic Primary School, a mere 15-minute walk away.

Lawton Street shares its border with Congleton Bath House and Physic Garden, a hidden green oasis and an invaluable community resource. For more outdoor enjoyment, venture to Congleton Park, with its Victorian grandeur and vast lawn, Park Wood, and the serene River Dane. For a wilder escape, Astbury Mere Country Park has picturesque trails around a peaceful lake.

The Peak District National Park, with its exceptional walking trails, elegant spa towns, and famous villages, is less than an hour’s drive away. For more dramatic landscapes, consider venturing to Snowdonia National Park or the Lake District, reachable in about two and a half hours.

Thanks to easy access to the M6, Birmingham in the south and Scotland in the north are easily accessible. Additionally, Manchester and Liverpool are within an hour’s reach.

For trains, Congleton Station is a 15-minute walk from Lawton Street. It has direct lines to Manchester in only 40 minutes and Stoke on Trent, where you can catch a direct train to London Euston in two and a half hours. International travel is easy, with Manchester Airport a 30-minute drive away.

Council Tax Band: E