STRETTON

SITUATION
Stretton Hall is situated in one of the finest locations in South Cheshire, within the sought-after hamlet of Stretton. Beautiful rolling countryside adjoins the property and there are spectacular views towards the Welsh hills.

The property is only 2.5 miles from the picturesque village of Malpas. The village has an excellent range of shops, pubs and restaurants, providing a great location for daily needs.

Bishop Heber High is a popular secondary school, situated on the outskirts of the village. There are independent schools in the area, including Kings and Queens schools in Chester, as well as Packwood Haugh and Moreton Hall in Shropshire.

Chester (14 miles) is a leading retail and commercial centre and provides access to the motorway and rail networks. London Euston can be reached in about 2 hours from Chester and just over 1½ hours from Crewe station (22 miles).

The area offers a wide range of leisure opportunities. Nearby Carden Park has two championship golf courses, an excellent fitness club and spa. There are many scenic walks and fishing on the River Dee.

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION
Stretton Hall is undoubtedly one of the finest houses in Cheshire. It stands at the head of a straight drive through a wonderful lime avenue and stands prominently in the landscape with dramatic westerly views to the Welsh Hills in the far distance. It is a beautifully balanced, exquisite country house offering exceptional accommodation, secondary accommodation in cottages and a flat, offices and extensive equestrian facilities. It stands in stunning mature gardens and grounds and includes a significant area of land beyond.

It is a house of solid provenance and was built in about 1763 for John Leche, son of the rector of Tilston. The Leche family were prominent local landowners and historic custodians of the neighbouring Carden Estate. Throughout its time it has only had five owners, testament to it having been a much-cherished family home.

The house is constructed in brick on a sandstone basement, with painted stone dressings, and a slate roof. The façade is in three two-storey bays with a single-storey wing on each side. The central bay is canted, with stone steps leading up to a doorway with a pediment. The house and former stable area is Grade II* listed and the sandstone garden walls are listed at Grade II.

The property is served by two drives, the front drive leading to the Hall and the back drive serving the cottages, land and stabling. There is extensive parking, garaging and a helicopter hanger.

A part-glazed front door opens into an elegant reception hall with a screen of scagliola columns, a fine Neo-classical fireplace and a lovely stone floor. Beyond is a hall with a mahogany staircase to the first floor and serving the impressive main reception rooms, each beautifully presented and enjoying views over the gardens. The principal drawing room has substantial double doors linking it to the dining room and a French door opening onto steps to the garden. Both rooms have marble fireplaces with dog grates and ornate coving. The pink drawing room at the end of the hall has a spectacular Venetian window, a further door to the garden and a marble fireplace inset with Blue John. Beside it the morning room provides a delightful, relaxed space with an oak floor. A door opens from the hall into an inner hall with the former servants stairs, a butlers pantry, once used as a gun room with early pitch pine cupboards. A further door is the link to the open plan family kitchen, with an excellent range of Chalon kitchen units and an electric four oven Aga, an island, various integrated appliances dining and sitting areas. Beyond is a spectacular back hall with rows of stone columns, a cloistered ceiling and double doors to a large garden room providing a wonderful entertaining space and a further link to the gardens.

From the kitchen are stairs to the lower ground floor, offering excellent, flexible space. It accommodates a bedroom, bathroom, laundry, study, sitting room, dining area and a large games/TV room.
A grand mahogany staircase rises to a half landing where there is a dressing room and on to the first floor with a wide corridor, serving three bedroom suites. A further suite with a dressing room is approached via the back stairs and on the second floor are three cleverly coordinated bedrooms and bathrooms, one of which is ensuite.

OUTBUILDINGS AND FURTHER ACCOMODATION
The property offers extensive outbuildings as follows.

Offices
A former stable building with a reception area, a WC, a large boardroom with doors to a garden terrace, an office/bedroom and bathroom.

The Stables Flat
Situated above the offices and with a sitting room, kitchen/diner, a utility room, two bedrooms, bathroom and two dressing rooms. It has an enclosed courtyard garden with a small storage shed.

The Coach House
A small cottage with two downstairs rooms, and a first floor bedroom, bathroom and dressing room.

Stretton Hall Cottage
A delightful, detached cottage with a kitchen, sitting room, conservatory, bedroom and shower room on the ground floor and two bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor. It has gardens to the front and rear and wonderful westerly views. It is currently let on an Assured Shorthold tenancy.

Coach shed and garden store
Adjoining the rear of the office building.

Garage block
A large detached building providing open plan garaging for at least six cars.

Helicopter hanger
A substantial building now used as a hay barn.

GARDENS AND GROUNDS
The beautiful mature gardens and grounds are a key feature of Stretton Hall, providing a wonderful backdrop to the house. Pride has been taken over many generations in their evolution and maintenance and they provide a perfect balance between formality and informality, hard landscaping and soft planting. They include various garden rooms including Italian and Terrace gardens, areas of topiary, a large walled garden, a pond and tennis court. There is an array of perennial and herbaceous plants and wooded areas with magnificent mature trees. The avenue of limes flanking the front drive is spectacular and provides a delightful introduction to the property.

EQUESTRIAN FACILITES
The equestrian element supports a series of railed paddocks, each with a water supply and incorporating three field shelters.

Main stable block
An L shape brick building with six stables, tack room, WC, feed room and rug store.

Stables
A further detached building with three loose boxes.

Timber stables.
Timber structure incorporating three stables.

Outdoor arena
All-weather facility with post and rail perimeter (20 x60 metres).

Additional information

• Directions: Farndon 3 miles, Malpas 2.5 miles, Chester 14 miles, Liverpool 39 miles, Manchester Airport 45 miles, Crewe station 21 miles (all distances approximate)
• EPC Exempt
• Tenure: Freehold
• Council Tax Band: H