5 Bedroom Property for Sale in Tarporley

Alistair and Rebecca Milne spent two years searching for the right barn conversion in which to bring up their young family, but every property they were invited to view was either thin and dark, or ‘L’ shaped and dark and not somewhere they could consider living.

That was until three and a half years ago, when they came across Birch Heath Barn – a massive former Victorian milking shed near the village of Tarporley. “As soon as we stepped through the door we saw this huge hallway with its massive vaulted ceiling” says Alistair “and unlike all the other conversions we’d seen, this one was so light and so bright”.

The 160 year old building had been converted by a developer in 1989, but the previous owners had done little to the property. Recognising its potential, once they had bought it, the Milnes moved out for nine months while a team of builders carried out renovation work. “We had it re-roofed, re-wired, re-plumbed, and put in new bathrooms and a new kitchen” explains Alistair. “When we moved back in, we were delighted with the result. I love the fact that the kitchen leads into the breakfast room, which in turn leads into the family lounge. It means that the whole family can live in half of the house for most of the time. It also makes it a great house for entertaining, which we’ve done a lot of here”.

“We’ve been careful to restore the interior sympathetically. To that end we’ve put Victorian radiators into the hall and had new tall skirting boards specially made. We’ve also put blocks of wood to the thresholds of interior doors and installed solid brass Victorian style sockets and switches throughout the house”.

Despite the changes, Birch heath Barn still has much of its history in evidence. All the original beams are still in place – both downstairs and in the roof trusses upstairs. “Some of the people doing the milking carved their names into the wood” says Alistair. “We’ve got an aerial photo of the building when it was still a milking shed and we know that during World War Two a bomb landed in a nearby field. A local farmer told us that it sent a two tonne slab of earth measuring about ten feet across crashing through the roof”.

“Outside, there’s over half an acre of back garden, complete with swings and climbing frames and a large summer house where we can sit out and relax while the kids are playing. One of the delights of the summer is sitting on the patio, listening to the sound of the church bells ringing from half a mile or so away. It’s also a lovely five minute walk into Tarporley itself, with its three pubs, wine bars, coffee bars, butchers, bakers and beautiful church”.

The house is perfectly placed with stunning views. “From the kitchen window we can see across to the battlements and towers of Beeston Castle, and we’ve got views over rolling fields at the back. The historic cathedral town of Chester is only 10 miles away by car and you can be in Manchester in an hour. We’re right on the doorstep of the hub between the M6, M56 and M62. It takes less than 40 minutes to drive to Crewe Railway Station and Manchester airport is just three quarters of an hour away”.

Although the Milnes are selling up, they won’t be leaving the area completely. “Rebecca is a Kiwi” says Alistair, “and we plan to buy a house in New Zealand as well as a smaller property around here, and then flit backwards and forwards between the northern and southern hemispheres. I’ve travelled a lot around the world on business, but Tarporley is still one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to in my life”.


The accommodation features:-

CENTRAL RECEPTION HALL
5.79m(19'0'') x 4.60m(15'1'')
CLOAKROOM
FAMILY ROOM
4.60m(15'1'') x 4.17m(13'8'')
UTILITY
5.59m(18'4'') x 3.35m(11'0'')
KITCHEN/BREAKFAST AREA
6.78m(22'3'') x 4.60m(15'1'')
GARDEN ROOM
5.00m(16'5'') x 3.12m(10'3'')
DINING ROOM
5.13m(16'10'') x 4.57m(15'0'')
DRAWING ROOM
7.37m(24'2'') x 4.98m(16'4'')
STUDY
4.95m(16'3'') x 3.58m(11'9'')
FIRST FLOOR
GALLERIED LANDING
MASTER BEDROOM SUITE Comprising:-
BEDROOM 1
4.60m(15'1'') x 3.81m(12'6'')
EN-SUITE BATHROOM
5.11m(16'9'') x 2.79m(9'2'')
WALK IN DRESSING ROOM
4.11m(13'6'') x 2.31m(7'7'')
FAMILY BATHROOM
5.18m(17'0'') x 2.82m(9'3'')
BEDROOM 2
5.16m(16'11'') x 4.75m(15'7'')
BEDROOM 3
4.75m(15'7'') x 3.58m(11'9'')
BEDROOM 4
5.11m(16'9'') x 2.72m(8'11'')
BEDROOM 5
4.75m(15'7'') x 2.34m(7'8'')

Pitch pine has been used throughout Birch Heath Barn to the majority of doors and the staircase all of which have been French polished including the oak timberwork and all window sills. There are solid brass Victorian style sockets and switches throughout the house.

EXTERIOR
Birch Heath Barn is approached via cobbled set entrance and five bar gate leading onto gravelled driveway providing extensive on site car parking leading to:-

The garage and stable range of brick and slate construction comprising:-

THREE INDIVIDUAL GARAGES 5.49m(18'0'') x 3.00m(9'10'')

TWO STABLES 5.36m(17'7'') x 3.05m(10'0'')

GARDENS AND GROUNDS
The front garden is enclosed by mature sandstone walls comprising lawns and borders. The property enjoys a number of patio areas, to the front is a seating area, to the side a very private courtyard, with additional patios immediately outside the dining room and also to the rear of the garden. Trellising separates the front garden to the side and rear which is lawned with mature fruit trees. Herbaceous and flowering borders to either side and principal garden being laid to lawn enclosed by Beech Hedging. There is a childrens play area with chipped bark floor.

The paddock has the benefit of a field shelter of timber and felt construction with front overhang comprising useful field shelter/hay barn.

The total area extends to 1.45 acres.

PLANNING PERMISSION
Planning permission was granted in full under application number 05-1201-FUL for the conversion of the outbuilding to include the raising of the current roof line creating two double garages, an office suite, guest or dependant relative suite and a substantial area that could be used as a gym. In addition to build a further extension to the outbuilding to accommodate garden tools.

A copy of the planning permission together with plans are available for inspection at the agents Tarporley office.

SERVICES
Mains water, electricity, and drainage are connected. LPG gas central heating.
There is a Gardtec Speed-dialer Burglar alarm and security lighting.
The property also has the benefit of an automated garden watering system covering the whole of the outside barn, garage and the stable block.

COUNCIL TAX
Band G.

VIEWING
Strictly by appointment with the Agents' Tarporley office.

TENURE
We understand the tenure to be freehold.

FIXTURES AND FITTINGS
The summer house and the childrens play area are available subject to a separate negotiation.