For the combination of glorious rural English countryside, complete seclusion, historic charm and contemporary luxury, there is little to beat the beautifully-restored 18th century Finches Farm in Lancashire.
With many original features retained and celebrated, the main farmhouse has been given an upgrade to modern-day convenience and style, as stunning inside as the vast Lancashire countryside that surrounds this estate.
The farmhouse itself can trace its roots back to 1709 and sits within almost 4-acres of landscaped lawns and ornamental gardens. The views suggest complete isolation, but the reality is two local villages (Mawdesley and Croston) within a five minute drive for a community and the needed amenities.
The main living space on the ground floor is vast and provides the perfect blend of communal areas for entertaining or gathering, and some cosier snugs for privacy and seclusion.
You step into a large entrance area from where the various rooms can be accessed. This space is bathed in light from the multiple windows and, courtesy of reflective stone floors and white furnishings, is bright and welcoming.
The kitchen – complete with an Aga as well as a more standard oven – sits within a wonderfully generous open-plan living area with a breakfast bar, a dining area and a seating area, all with dreamy views across the lawns.
For more formal, special occasions, there is a separate dining area, where one of the original wooden beams and restored wooden floor will provide a chance to tell your guests all about your spectacular, special home’s history.
For the evenings when being presentable is not required and the idea of kicking back with a movie or a book appeals, there is also a separate living room that boasts more restored beams amid the modern comforts. There are patio doors for accessing the gardens and plenty of natural light to make the space feel airy and bright in the daytime.
Take a trip upstairs to find the four spacious bedrooms. Three of these have en-suite bathrooms and one is, frankly, a spectacle of master bedroom indulgence. You will need to move quick to reserve this one in a jostling family.
The large room has tall ceilings and sparkles in white furnishings to create an aura of elegance and comfort, with the sleeping area opening into a charming dressing area.
The master en-suite is the only bathroom to boast a standalone brass-effect tub that sits proudly beside a window for bathing with the stupendous view over your gardens and wider Lancashire landscape.
While the master might be quite extraordinary, the remaining three bedrooms are just as spacious and comfortable. Two of these ‘others’ have their own en-suite and there is a family bathroom to serve the final bedroom, with a panoply of rain showers and bath tubs to choose from in the sleek wash rooms.
The outside areas have been lovingly restored and provide wonderful green spaces for enjoying the landscape and the natural restorative calm of the countryside. A terrace area directly outside the kitchen is a superb spot for those al-fresco meals in the warm days of summer
The grounds also house a full sized, flood lit tennis court to keep the active householders happy, while a home gym has been installed in the loft area above the garage. A useful space, the loft area could be turned to other purposes, such as an office or studio.
The ornamental garden is fabulous for ‘taking a turn in’ during lazy afternoons and will allow all the cares of the world to slip away. There is ample space and opportunity for keen gardeners on the grounds, and the south-facing lawns catch the sunshine.
For getting in and out, the nearest motorway is the M6 and Chorley train station (8 miles) provides regular connections into Manchester Piccadilly station (journey time 50 mins approx.), Bolton and Preston. The closest airport is Manchester, approx. 40 miles away.
Source: RightMove
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