History
Fernhill and the barn are believed to be monastic in origin and probably belonged to the Abbey of Dievlacres near Leek, Staffordshire, who owned the nearby Monksheath Hall. The barn is thought to predate the house with records dating back to the mid-16th century and the house originating in the 17th century when Sir Thomas Stanley purchased the property. Since their conception both buildings have had many additions and been remodelled with substantial repairs to the barn’s brick work circa 1800 and latterly in the Victorian period. The house has equally been remodelled in the 18th century and when purchased by the current vendor in 1965, a major scheme of refurbishment and extension was undertaken creating what is now the Garden Room, Study and Boot Room at one end, and the Wash Room/Utility Room at the other end, with all living accommodation above being completed in 1966. As the property is being offered to the market for the first time in 55 years, it offers an opportunity to create a comfortable family home in a simply idyllic setting.


Location
Fernhill is approached via a long drive through pasture being situated in a secluded and elevated location some 3.5 miles to the south of Alderley Edge. The village offers a comprehensive range of services including Waitrose and Tesco stores, and a bustling high street with a wide selection of restaurants, pubs and cafes as well as a high street bank, GP practise and Post Office. A range of comprehensive amenities is available in the nearby town of Macclesfield being some 5 miles distant.


Local recreational facilities include golf at Macclesfield, Prestbury and Wilmslow, cricket clubs in Chelford, Alderley Edge and Macclesfield in addition to Alderley Edge Tennis Club situated in Alderley Edge. For those seeking outdoor pursuits there is extensive walking throughout the local area and beyond into the Peak District, a selection of local shoots, mountain biking and sailing at Redesmere Lake. For the equestrian enthusiast there is open country nearby together with numerous bridleways and lanes for hacking out. There is horse racing at Chester and Bangor-on-Dee and various professional riding schools and livery available.


On the educational front there are state primary and secondary schools locally including Nether Alderley Primary School and Fallibroome Academy on the outskirts of Macclesfield with an “Outstanding” Ofsted rating. For those seeking private education there is Terra Nova Prep School, Alderley Edge School for Girls, Beech Hall School and Kings Macclesfield known for its sporting and educational excellence.


Commuting to the commercial centres of the north west and beyond is straightforward with easy access to the M56 and M6 and the property is within 5 miles of Macclesfield train station providing a direct 1hr 45 service to London and a regular 25 min service to Manchester Piccadilly. There are international airports at Manchester and Liverpool, respectively.


The Accommodation
Fernhill is a substantial country home constructed of brick under a Welsh slate and Kerridge stone roof with cast iron downspouts and Wisteria clad elevations. The facade is typical of a farmhouse which is replicated in the interior by the size of the rooms and layout of the accommodation being arranged over 3 floors with the benefit of oil central heating. Whilst requiring a scheme of modernisation, the house has many period features with 17th century dog leg timber staircase, ceiling timbers, mullion windows in part and Inglenook fireplace with a substantial beam over.


A panelled front door leads into the entrance hall with access to the cloak room and inner hall. To either side of the inner hall are the principal reception rooms comprising drawing room and dining room. The dining room is elegant and well proportioned, containing a fireplace and hearth beneath a brick surround and timber mantle. The drawing room has an Inglenook fireplace, open fire with Cornish slate hearth and a bay window with an uninterrupted garden aspect.
Beyond is a garden room, which also has a bay window with a glazed door giving access to the rear garden and adjoins the study with parquet flooring beyond which is the boot room with base units and sink unit. To the rear of the inner hall access is gained to the kitchen which contains fitted wall and base units incorporating Neff oven, stainless steel sink unit with single drainer and oil-fired 2-oven Aga. Off the kitchen is the washroom which has base units incorporating a sink unit and storage cupboard. Beyond is the utility room with wall and base units and sink and there is a rear access to the side of the property leading to the drive.


The first and second floor accommodation is accessed via a dogleg oak staircase with ornate moulded handrail, reeded square newels and flat balusters. From the landing a corridor leads to the master suite comprising a spacious master bedroom with bay window overlooking the garden. Adjoining is a dressing room with built in wardrobes, dressing area which has an interconnecting door to bedroom 2 and beyond which is the en suite bathroom with panelled bath, pedestal hand basin and low flush wc. Adjacent to the landing are bedrooms 3 and 4 served by a bathroom with cast iron bath and a separate wc.


On the second floor there are 3 further bedrooms and an en suite bathroom. Bedroom 6 is a particularly impressive room with heavy purlins and tall ceiling ridge. Bedroom 5 is a double room with an en suite bathroom which has a panelled bath, pedestal hand basin, low flush w.c, and built-in linen cupboard. There is an additional storage room which has restricted headroom through the entrance.


The Barn & Outbuildings
A profound feature of the property is the barn and outbuildings associated with the house in the central courtyard. The barn is an architecturally impressive Grade II Listed building, albeit requiring a major scheme of repair. It is timber framed with English garden wall bond with orange brick end walls and infill and a graduated Kerridge stone-slate roof and stone ridge. The interior comprises several rooms historically used for milling and has 2 full cruck frames on padstones and to the sides modern shippens. The building is set over two floors and has an approximate floor area of 3,530 sqft (327 sqm).


Adjacent is a substantial Dutch Barn which backs onto an open fronted concrete and steel car port. On the adjacent side there is a brick building under a slate roof, formerly used for dog grooming and storage however it would lend itself to various other uses such as tack room and feed store. It has a water and electric supply. Adjoining is a paddock with breeze block kennels, log stores and a brick built stable block comprising 3 loose boxes with water supply and wc running in parallel with the barn.


The purchaser of Fernhill may consider, with appropriate planning consents converting the timber framed barn to a beautiful home with southern outlook over the paddock.


The Bungalow
To the north of the principal dwelling is a brick-built bungalow. NB: Enquiries made by the selling agent, Fisher German, of Cheshire East Council have revealed that the Council does not hold any records for the original planning consent for the bungalow and consequently buyers should make their own enquiries in this regard. The bungalow comprises 2 bedrooms and sits within gardens and grounds, extending to approximately 0.26 acres. Access to the bungalow is through the central courtyard.


The bungalow is currently tenanted on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, and whilst notice has been served and Court proceedings initiated to obtain repossession, the tenant is yet to vacate and is therefore currently a sitting tenant. NB: the agents have not inspected the interior of this property.


Outside
The property is accessed over a long drive which Fernhill will have right of way over the initial part with ownership starting nearer the property. The purchaser will have a minor responsibility in the upkeep of the initial part of the drive having to contribute 25% of the maintenance perpetually. The drive continues to a gravel turning circle where the buildings and house are situated providing ample parking as well as garaging. To the west of the house are the formal garden which are predominantly laid to lawn with rose beds, mature perennial and shrubbery. The gardens have a variety of mature trees including Cherry, Fir, Clematis, Laurel and Copper Beech. The house is clad with a beautiful, mature Wisteria and Ivy below which is a York stone patio running the length of the Western elevation. The garden is interspersed with a fruit cage, soft fruit and apple trees beyond which there is a large paddock encompassed by a stock proof fence. In all approximately 3.69 acres (1.49ha).


Services
Mains water and electricity. Telephone line and fully operational alarm connected. Private Drainage NB the private drainage system that currently serves Fernhill is located in land being retained by the vendor.


Tenure
The property is offered freehold.


Fixtures and Fittings
All fixtures and fittings, furniture, lighting, garden ornaments and statuary are excluded from the sale. Some may be available by separate negotiation.


Local Authority & Council Tax
Cheshire East Council
Council Tax Band G - £3,139.65 payable 2020/21


Directions
Proceed south out of Alderley Edge on the Congleton Road passing through Nether Alderley and take the first exit at the Nether Alderley roundabout signposted for the A34 Macclesfield and Congleton. Proceed to the Monks Heath crossroads taking the left-hand turn onto the A537 signposted Macclesfield and Buxton. Continue along this road and on entering the 50 zone the entrance is the second on the left visible by a post and chain entrance and an attractive brick and stone lodge on the left. Fernhill will be seen at the head of the private driveway.


Viewings
Strictly by appointment through the selling agent, Fisher German.


NB - Due to the current Covid pandemic and the vendors situation, Fisher German have not been able to secure internal photography, but this will be available shortly.