Comfort, convenience and connection all combine at No. 86, School Lane, a characterful Hartford home, set back from the hustle and bustle, blending privacy and peace with plenty of room – indoors and out.

OWNER QUOTE: “It’s a fantastic location, convenient, yet also so quiet, cosy and private.”

Tucked back off School Lane, this 1930s home, believed to be the former village police house, combines rustic charm with a modern flow. Cosy, warm and welcoming, park up and step indoors from beneath the shelter of the solid wood porch. 

A warm welcome

Beyond the stable door, soft, soothing shades of grey and white dress the entrance hallway, where original wooden doors mingle with traditional-style Minton tiles, fitted just 12 months ago, underfoot.

Extended by the current owners, while retaining all its original warmth, No. 86 is a home that flows and functions; homely and inviting and a true entertaining haven.

Practical places

On the left, freshen up in the cloakroom, with wash basin and WC, while next door, the same tiled flooring flows through into the boot room. Formerly a play room, this room was reinvented following extension work, now fully fitted with bench seating, cubby holes, hanging space and cupboards – including a tall closet with ten racks of shoe storage - keeping the entrance hallway clutter free. Light streams in through a window overlooking the driveway. Muted green tones enhance the country feel of the stripped wooden doors, a motif continued in utility room, which features opposite.

Once the home’s kitchen, now a practical utility room, wooden worktops complement the apple green cupboards, with plumbing for a washing machine and dryer, alongside a built-in airer above and a Belfast sink – ideal for washing down smaller dogs after a walk alongside the River Weaver. A tall closet features five baskets, ideal for stashing away all the family’s clean, folded clothing. 

Light and bright, in the sitting room, honey-toned parquet flooring gleams beneath light streaming in through the shuttered bay window, whose original stained glass adds another layer of character. A warm and welcoming family room, a double-sided log burning stove brings a connection with the neighbouring kitchen.

Cook up a feast

Light streams in through French doors in the kitchen, a room designed for modern family living, balancing contemporary convenience with the country comfort of its cream cabinetry and inglenook. Light reflects off the grey and white marble surfaces of the worktops and central island, where there is plenty of breakfast bar seating.

Designed with family living in mind and fitted with quality appliances including a fridge freezer, Range cooker, dishwasher and slim, pull-out larder alongside built-in vegetable baskets and a glazed display cabinet, fitted curtains and blinds complete the space with finesse.

Part of the recent extension, warmth exudes from the underfloor heating, ensuring the kitchen remains welcoming and cosy year-round. Basking in light, a bay window features built-in seating creating the perfect dining nook.

With a phenomenal indoor-outdoor flow, doors open straight onto the patio, beyond which a pathway reaches out across the jade lawn to the bespoke built bar at the far end of the garden, ideal when entertaining in the summer months.

Relax and unwind

Also accessed off the sitting room, and drenched in light from another broad bay window, the lounge is a homely haven, where blush pink walls pick out the fine detail in the leaded stained-glass, mingling with soft grey carpet, immaculate and plush underfoot.  A relaxing evening room, perfect for evening unwinds after the children are tucked up for the night, the easy flow of No. 86 blends sociable spaces with pockets of peaceful privacy.

Between the sitting room and lounge, a small lobby area also connects to the staircase, rising up to the first-floor landing.

And so to bed…

Turning right, arrive at a light, bright bedroom, with leafy views, high ceiling and space for a double bed.

Next door, a second, spacious double bedroom retains a cosy country feel, with soft cream walls, picture rail and alcoves perfectly sized for storage.

Coming out of the bedroom, returning along the landing, a storage room with airing cupboard features all the plumbing and fittings ready for transformation into a shower room, conveniently situated next door to the recently fitted family bathroom with its country style greige panelled walls and traditional style roll top, claw foot bath with showerhead attachment. Light and bright, every room at No. 86 School Lane feels both cosy, serene and spacious.

Continuing along the landing, the guest bedroom epitomises this light-filled, warmth and welcome, broad, bright and with plenty of room for a double bed, wardrobe and dressing table.

Tucked away along its own private inner hallway, the master bedroom is a private sanctuary, with its own dressing room, furnished with drawers and hanging space. Opposite, mosaic floor tiling flows underfoot in the en suite shower room, awash with light. Elegant blue patterned wallpaper dresses the main bedroom space, where light streams in through a window and French doors opening to a Juliet balcony with views stretching out over the garden beyond.

A garden in bloom

A sunseeker’s paradise, the garden basks in golden glow throughout the day, with the wide patio running outside the kitchen offering the ideal spot in which to relax and recline or set the barbecue sizzling in summertime.

Spring brings a show of colour to the garden, with a purple magnolia part way along the emerald lawn bursting into blossom in late April. Brimming with bluebells and established planting along the borders, the garden soaks up sunshine until late in the evening in the height of summer, making it the perfect place for gardeners keen to grow their own flowers or produce.

At the end of the lawn, step up to the inviting garden bar, a versatile space with solid concrete base, power and lighting that could also serve as a games room or even an outdoor office. Host New Year’s parties and birthday soirees in the privacy of your own garden.

A bark covered area to the side, hidden away behind hedging is the perfect place for a children’s play area, with space for a trampoline or other play equipment.

Behind both the play area and bar, screened from view, lies a practical paved area, with shed and space to store garden equipment and furniture.

Out and about

Peaceful and set back, No. 86 School Lane remains conveniently connected to all the amenities, with The Hart of Hartford conveniently close for a thirst quencher.

Walks beckon along the River Weaver, with The Marshall’s Arms within easy reach alongside a range of other relaxed dining and drinking options, including The Coachman.

Highly regarded schooling options lie within convenient reach; St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary School and St Nicholas Catholic High School are both within comfortable walking distance. Hartford, long renowned as an educational hub, features a strong selection of primary, secondary and independent options with The Grange and Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College is also easily accessible.

Positioned between Hartford and Greenbank stations, No. 86 is ideally placed for travel. Hartford Station sits on the West Coast Main Line, providing connections towards Crewe, Liverpool and beyond, while Greenbank offers links towards Chester and Manchester. Regular bus services also run through the village, connecting to Northwich and surrounding areas.

Daily life is well catered for in Hartford village centre, where a Co-op, butcher, chemist and a range of independent shops and cafés sit within walking distance alongside a local deli.

Warm, welcoming and so well connected for all life’s necessities both near and far, No. 86, School Lane is an ideal home for families with growing children, hosts who love to entertain and couples seeking to reside in a comfortable, cosy, easy to maintain home with ample space for guests.

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.