6 bedroom house for sale

A wonderful period house providing spacious and highly adaptable accommodation, occupying an extremely private position just off The Parade, and surrounded by extensive gardens and grounds.

THE MAIN HOUSE

- Reception and Staircase Halls; Sitting Room; Dining Room; Study; Kitchen with separate Utility and Pantry rooms; Cloakroom.

- Master suite with Double Bedroom, Walk-in Wardrobe and En-suite Bathroom; 3 Further Double Bedrooms (1 presently a Dressing Room); Family Bathroom; Spectacular Drawing Room with wonderful garden views.

THE ANNEXE

- Independent Entrance; Open plan Sitting Room; Scope for separate Kitchen; Conservatory; 2 First Floor Bedrooms; Bathroom.

OUTSIDE

- Series of brick outbuildings providing useful storage and garaging; Courtyard garden; Lawned gardens with orchard. In all about 1.76 acres (0.71 ha)

DESCRIPTION

Leighton Banastre is a stunning Georgian house which dates from the late 18th century, and is Listed Grade II for its special architectural and historic interest. The house is built of brick in Flemish bond beneath a slate roof, and has an abundance of character both internally and to its external appearance, including elegant sash windows, period doors and floors, impressive fireplaces, an attractive turned staircase, and spectacular plaster work in the first floor drawing room which overlooks the gardens.

Leighton Banastre is the principal portion of an historic building which, it is believed, was once home to Mostyn House School, which subsequently moved to the larger premises further along The Parade. The building was sub-divided into three separate dwellings, and Leighton Banastre has since been a wonderful private residence. The present owners purchased the property in 2021, prior to them, the property had been in the same family for over 40 years. Since 2021 the property has been subject to a scheme of modernization, carried out sensitively to acknowledge the historic nature of the building. The works have been extensive, including substantial ground floor re-wiring, a new gas fired central heating system, many of the windows have been refurbished where required, a new kitchen, utility room and family bathroom have been fitted, and the grounds have been well maintained. There are however certain items to be completed, notably some wiring, installation of master suite bathroom, and cosmetic upgrade to many of the rooms.

THE MAIN HOUSE

The accommodation is spacious and highly adaptable, arranged over two floors. On the ground floor there are two formal reception rooms which are all beautifully proportioned and provide excellent entertaining and day-to-day living space. The reception hall is a large room, with decorative fireplace and elegant bay window overlooking the garden. Accessed from the staircase and inner hall are the study, which provides a discreet and comfortable working area, and the sitting room, also with fireplace and aspect into the gardens. Beyond is the dining room, which, too, has a lovely window looking into the garden and direct access to the utility. The kitchen, which also has its own independent access from the courtyard, overlooks the garden, and has been superbly fitted by Neptune and incorporates a bespoke range of wall and floor units beneath quartz work surfaces, integrated appliances, Quooker boiling and chilled water tap, and breakfast bar. The kitchen benefits from a separate pantry, and there is a large utility room fitted with similar high quality units. There is also access from the kitchen to the annexe.

At first floor level the accommodation is as comprehensive, with the drawing room accessed off a barrel vaulted galleried landing. The bedrooms all look over the gardens and are spacious double rooms, with one presently used as a dressing room with extensive fitted wardrobes. The family bathroom has been fully refitted with quality tiling and sanitary ware, and the master suite bathroom and wardrobe requires upgrading. The first floor drawing room is a magnificent room with two large sash windows to take in an abundance of natural light, decorative fireplace and intricate plaster mouldings to the cornice and walls.

THE ANNEXE

Accessed independently from the courtyard is the annexe. The space offers fantastic self-contained accommodation but could equally be used for multi-generational living, or letting from which to derive a useful income.

The ground floor has been refurbished and is now a lovely open plan sitting room with woodburner and aspect into the courtyard. There is also access to a separate room which would be suitable for conversion to a kitchen. Beyond the sitting room is a large and impressive conservatory with reclaimed tongue and grove flooring, with storage beneath and several sets of French doors to the garden.

The first floor comprises two spacious double bedrooms and a bathroom. The rooms have been refurbished albeit with some minor cosmetic elements to complete.

LOCATION

Leighton Bansatre occupies an extremely private position off The Parade, set amongst mature gardens and grounds extending to approximately 1.76 acres. It enjoys a tucked away location away from the busy Parkgate front, yet is within walking distance of Parkgate’s extensive amenities which include a choice of gastro pubs and restaurants. Indeed, it is rare for a property to enjoy such a secluded position surrounded by its own land so close to the front.

The towns of Heswall and Neston are both nearby which offer a comprehensive range of services for everyday needs including supermarkets, local shops, pubs, restaurants, doctors and dentist’s surgeries as well as a number of high street banks.

On the recreational front there is a variety of sports clubs and leisure facilities nearby, notably The Neston Club which also offers hockey, squash and tennis, and has a busy social calendar. There is golf at Heswall, Caldy and Royal Liverpool, which held The Open Championship in 2023, and there is sailing on the marine lake at West Kirby and at Dee Estuary. Schooling is well catered for with both private and state schools nearby including Parkgate Primary, Neston High, Calday and West Kirby Grammar, Wirral Grammar for Boys & Girls, Upton, Birkenhead School and the Kings and Queens in Chester.

COMMUNICATIONS

Leighton Banastre benefits from excellent road communications being a short distance from the A540 Parkgate Road providing fast access to Chester and all areas of commerce throughout the North West. Liverpool and Chester are both within easy commuting distance as is Manchester via the M56 and for travel further afield there is a sub 2 hour rail service from Chester to London Euston via Crewe. For international travel both Liverpool and Manchester are served by international airports.

OUTSIDE

The property is approached via a gravelled drive flanked by mature trees to a wide parking area in front of the house. The well stocked formal gardens are immediately beside and to the west of the building, and have been beautifully landscaped and thereafter maintained over the years, and are partly walled. A wide lawn with magnificent copper beech tree, weeping ash and mulberry bush, extends to dense floral and herbaceous borders, beyond which is a brick sett path which provides access around the permitter and to two brick buildings, one thought to have been a former shooting lodge dating back to 1728, both now providing useful garden stores.

A high hedge separates the more formal area to an orchard which offers additional garden space but which could also be used as a paddock for anyone wishing to keep horses. This area has direct access to the drive. To the rear of the house is an attractive stone flagged courtyard with pond and access to the cellars. The courtyard is subdivided by a lovely brick wall with cast iron gate to the rear yard which has access to single storey brick and slated outbuildings. These buildings are suitable for garden machinery, workshop and log store.

Adjacent is also a garage (5m x 3.94m) with rear roller door and arch to side work area. The garage is attached to a former wash room and further single storey buildings, which comprise car port, former stable and pig sty. These buildings and the parking area are accessed via a right of way over a rear drive which connects with School Lane. The traditional buildings extend in all to approximately 1609 square feet, and whilst providing excellent storage may also be suitable for conversion to ancillary accommodation or possibly for letting purposes.

DIRECTIONS

To reach the property from the direction of Neston proceed past Neston Cricket Club and follow the road around onto The Parade. Continue passing all of the amenities on The Parade, and about 50 yards before the narrow bend in the road, turn right into a discreet drive which is initially shared by a few other properties. Continue straight ahead and through the gateway for Leighton Banastre and Banastre Cottage, which soon forks off to its own separate drive.

PROPERTY INFORMATION

Address: Leighton Banastre, The Parade, Parkgate, Neston, CH64 6RW

Services: All mains services are connected.

Local Authority: Cheshire West & Chester Council. [use Contact Agent Button]. Council Tax: Band G

Viewing: Only by appointment with Jackson-Stops Chester office.

NB: The property is a Listed Building and many of the trees within the curtilage are subject to a Tree Preservation Order.

Overage: The orchard area will be subject to an overage provision, reserving to the vendors for a period of 20 years, 50% of any uplift arising on the granting of planning permission for change of use.