Melrose Cottage, 115 Chester Road, Helsby, WA6 0QZ

Renovated, modernised, yet retaining its period warmth, just moments from the lilting ridges and woodland walkways of the Sandstone Trail and the dramatic craggy escarpment of Helsby Hill with its panoramic views over the Cheshire Plain, and in convenient commuting distance of Chester, Liverpool and Manchester; Melrose Cottage is a delicious dichotomy. 

Character and convenience

Set within one of Helsby’s quiet, family-friendly villages, Melrose Cottage is perfectly placed for commuters, families and weekend adventurers alike. With two well-regarded primary schools and strong high-school options close by, Chester only ten miles away and direct trains running to both Liverpool and Manchester, yet within easy reach of Delamere Forest and the Sandstone Trail, convenience is balanced by country comfort.

Sleek, sophisticated and sultry. Upon arrival, Melrose Cottage is the embodiment of its Victorian origins, with its balanced façade, refined proportions and crisp monochrome palette. With plenty of parking on the driveway for four or five vehicles, there is also a large double garage to the rear of the home, accessed via wrought iron gates to the side.

Inside, the sense of refinement continues at Melrose Cottage, having undergone a head-to-toe renovation and restoration, with the front and rear gates refurbished and the front door repainted in inky black, strikingly silhouetted beneath the crisp and clear glass transom above.

The upgrading of Melrose Cottage has not come at the expense of its more ionic original features, including coving and high ceilings, which have, along with the sturdy front door, been retained to amplify the sense of authentic Victorian comfort and finesse.

Family spaces

From the entrance hallway, take a left into the sitting room, a quiet, carpeted room offering a sense of privacy and detachment from the main, modern, open-plan living family space. Panelling adds elegance to the walls, also opening to reveal a tiled ‘secret room’ housing the boiler and providing plenty of storage. Ideal as a television room for older children craving their own space, a playroom to hide away the toys at the end of a busy day or even a grown up ‘formal lounge’, with its large bay window and sense of calm, this room offers endless versatility.

Opposite, the door opens into the familial heart of the home, the living-dining-kitchen. Entering into the lounge area to the front, large format matt finish marbled tiles amplify the spaciousness and sense of high-quality finish, congruent with the period-modern decorative theme running throughout.

Panelling to the chimney breast echoes that of the sitting room opposite, for a sense of flow and cohesion. Soft, light neutrals embellish the walls, highlighting the classic cornicing, with views from this relaxed room out to the front. Open, yet zoned for a sense of after dinner separation and privacy, beneath an archway the lounge leads into the kitchen.

Feast your eyes

Showroom-sleek yet warmed by a trio of copper pendants above the breakfast bar-island, the kitchen strikes the perfect balance between precision and personality. Topped in Taj Mahal quartz, its soft off-white, beige hues echoed by the soft cashmere tones in the floor to ceiling cabinetry, the island is a sociable draw; a natural place for weekend coffee, homework spread out after school, or friends gathered with a glass of wine while supper simmers nearby.

A kitchen planned for enhancing the ease of day to day living, there is a clear sightline across to the dining area, flooded with light from the skylight above and the full width bifolds that open onto the new porcelain patio and garden beyond. Opening up from the kitchen, the utility room adds to the kitchen’s complement of integrated appliances (including fridge-freezer, hob, oven and fitted microwave), ready to swallow the day-to-day clutter by way of a fitted dishwasher and washing machine.

From the utility room, step through into the shower room, a beautifully finished space ideal for dog owners looking to rinse down muddy fur after a walk along the Sandstone Trail or through the woodland of Delamere Forest.

Bedtime beckons

Returning to the entrance hallway, ascend the stairs to the first-floor landing, where plush, freshly fitted carpet continues throughout the four bedrooms.

Sink into relaxation in the master bedroom to the front. Spacious, bright and exemplifying the light and minimal décor found throughout the bedrooms at Melrose Cottage, the master is a serene space with room for a super king size bed and storage. Spritz away the sleep in the shower room en suite, which exudes spa-style luxury and also features twin wash basins for those busy weekday mornings.

A substantially sized guest bedroom also features to the front of the home, followed by a peaceful third double bedroom overlooking the glorious garden at the rear. Serving both these bedrooms and the fourth bedroom (ideal as a nursery or – for those working from home – a study), a family bathroom, with bath, wash basin and WC sits centrally at the rear.

Overhead, the loft runs the length of the home revealing an impressive volume of space that invites possibility (subject to planning permission). Homes of this era nearby have converted theirs with dormers, forming one or two additional rooms under the eaves.

Escape outdoors

The scope of the renovation work at Melrose Cottage is by no means limited to the living space indoors. Step outside through the full-width bifolds and onto the elevated porcelain-paved terrace, a sun-soaked platform perfect for after work relaxation, evening aperitifs, and sizzling summer barbecues as the children splash in the paddling pool on the soft square of artificial grass.

Contemporary steel fencing frames the space, giving it a crisp, modern edge, while steps lead down to the lush lawn, bordered by raised beds and new planting, with mature trees lending privacy.

Annexe potential

Beyond the double garage, accessed via wrought iron gates to the side, lies additional land with approved planning for a three-bed dwelling, infusing Melrose Cottage with flexible potential: whether as a future home for multigenerational living, retained as an asset or sold on. Crucially, the main home still retains generous front parking, whatever option is followed.

Out and about

With Helsby Hill rising just over the road, the Sandstone Trail weaving its way by and Delamere Forest only a ten to fifteen-minute drive away, this is a location made for walkers and dog owners. Whether enjoying the wide-open skies of the marshes with their iconic wind turbines or running the trails of Delamere, there is so much opportunity to embrace the outdoors on your doorstep.

Frodsham is a five-minute drive offering up cafés, pubs, independent shops and its Thursday and monthly artisan markets. Historic Chester is just 15-20 minutes away for fine dining, culture and riverside strolls.

Everyday essentials are easy, with Tesco close by while the village itself is wonderfully family-oriented, hosting Christmas floats, bonfires, scarecrow trails and community events throughout the year.

With established primary and secondary schools close by, there is a real appeal for families of all ages at Melrose Cottage, while major motorways and city connections make this an ideal base for those who work in Liverpool or Manchester but crave the calm of coming home to somewhere peaceful and well-established.

Pristine period luxury is a rare commodity in Helsby, with Melrose Cottage offering both character and contemporary living (with convenient commuter connections) all under one roof. A versatile family home, ready to move in to, experience comfort, convenience and clarity at Melrose Cottage.

Disclaimer

The information Storeys of Cheshire has provided is for general informational purposes only and does not form part of any offer or contract. The agent has not tested any equipment or services and cannot verify their working order or suitability. Buyers should consult their solicitor or surveyor for verification. Photographs shown are for illustration purposes only and may not reflect the items included in the property sale. Please note that lifestyle descriptions are provided as a general indication. Regarding planning and building consents, buyers should conduct their own enquiries with the relevant authorities. All measurements are approximate. Properties are offered subject to contract, and neither Storeys of Cheshire nor its employees or associated partners have the authority to provide any representations or warranties.