Church Croft, 69 Church Street, Davenham, CW9 8NF.

Secluded village setting

For a home brimming with quirky character, history and heritage nestled in a substantially sized, secluded plot with glorious cottage gardens, look no further than the former curatage Church Croft.

Just a two-minute walk from the heart of the village centre, within easy reach of green fields and flowing rivers and next door to the eponymous church, discover the delights of Church Croft, a spacious yet homely abode with a rich history and an abundance of character.

Pulling off Church Street, a gated entrance leads through the stunning, well-stocked garden, via the private driveway, where there is comfortable parking for a minimum of three cars, with further on-street parking available.

OWNER QUOTE: “It feels different – unexpected almost– when you arrive. It’s so quiet and secluded next to the church. That’s part of its charm.”

A reverent history

Church Croft, is a home with strong ties to the local area, built in the mid 1860s for the Reverend France Hayhurst, upon his inheritance of the land and monies relating to the family seat in Bostock. Rev Hayhurst spent some time renovating and upgrading the whole area around the church including the church itself.

Extended over the centuries in both proportion and scope, Church Croft’s most recent refurbishment took place in 2012, when the current owners made their own upgrades to the family-dining-kitchen.

A warm welcome

Bedecked in an ancient, fragrant wisteria in the summer months, make your way to the handsome, pillared entrance, stepping into the light-filled porch, traditionally tiled and where tall windows flank the internal door, drawing light through into the entrance hall, a spacious room tiled in period fashion. Stripped pine doors lead off ahead, and to both the left and right.

OWNER QUOTE: “As soon as we walked in through the front door it had such a homely feel.”

Immediately to the left, dressed in soothing shades of green, emerge into the lounge, where a large bay window delivers light through, with views out to the driveway and parking area. A spacious formal sitting room, furnished with original skirtings, coving and window seat, an open fire with green marble surround and hearth emanates warmth and welcome throughout the winter months. Spacious and bright, there is ample room for a piano, making this also ideal as a music room.

Opposite the lounge, to the right of the front door, open the stripped pine door into the snug. Another bright and inviting space, a bay window overlooks the extensive planting of the garden, whilst original picture rails embellish the walls.

Instilling the room with cosy warmth, a multifuel stove sits within the original

brick and slate fireplace. A built-in pine shelf and cupboard is recessed within an alcove beside the fireplace, while a stained-glass internal window offers a glimpse of the hallway to the rear, one of numerous quaint quirks to be found at Church Croft.

The heart of the home

Directly ahead from the entrance hall, the glass panel door offers a preview of the white Howdens kitchen, installed by the current owners in 2012. Full granite worktops offer plenty of preparation space, whilst the generous cabinetry offers ample storage for all your culinary essentials and utensils. Earthy splashback tiles are elegant and attractive.

With space for all the essential appliances, nestled within the handsome brick inglenook there is also a freestanding brand new Beko Range electric double oven with five ring ceramic hob, newly installed in August 2023.

Underfloor heating warms the tiles underfoot in the family room, which opens up off the kitchen and offers ample space for a dining table and three sofas, perfect for modern family living. Light flourishes down through the skylights above.

OWNER QUOTE: “The life of the home revolves around the kitchen; it’s the heart of the home.”

Versatile spaces

Also located off the kitchen is the utility room, offering additional storage space and with plumbing for a washing machine and dryer plus access to a WC with wash basin. Cleverly planned, the utility is fitted with floor drainage to allow for its use as a potential bathroom; future proofing the home should you need to convert a reception room into a bedroom, affording accessible ground floor living – ideal for multigenerational living.

Currently hosting the cast iron range that was formerly in the inglenook of the kitchen, discover the dining room nestled off the kitchen, and also accessible from the inner hallway.

Stripped original wooden floorboards have been varnished to a healthy shine underfoot, gleaming beneath the light flowing in through the bay window, which captures colourful views out over the lovingly tended, mature garden. Original picture rails add to the formality of the dining room, which could also function as a playroom.

Work from home

Part of an extension completed in the 1980s, there is also a spacious study on the ground floor. Enhanced by built-in wooden storage and shelving by the current owners in 1994, the study offers a peaceful, private space in which to work from home, with glorious garden views.

Soak and sleep

From the study, nearby stairs lead up to a half landing, where to the left, discover the main bathroom. Soak away the aches in the large, enameled metal bath, with shower over. Quaint tiling to the walls is evocative of the ocean waves, with a wash basin and WC also fitted in this comfortable bathroom.

A series of carpeted steps lead up to the master bedroom, a peaceful and bright bedroom, with high ceiling and stunning views out over the garden.

Fitted wooden wardrobes provide so much space to one wall, also including a fitted dressing table. There is ample space for a super-king-size bed, whilst the bedroom also features its own handy wash basin. Consider the potential to connect this room to the bathroom to create a private ensuite; there is also scope to transform the adjacent airing cupboard into a walk-in dressing room.

Nestled away from the other bedrooms, there is a sense of seclusion and privacy to the master bedroom.

Returning to the stairs, continue on, up to the main landing, carpeted underfoot and leading to a double bedroom on the right. With an internal stained-glass window to the landing, this light and bright bedroom is currently used as a sewing room, with laminate flooring underfoot and pretty, elevated views out over the garden.

Laminate floor also features in the guest bedroom next door. Part of the 1980s extension, this great-sized room can easily accommodate a king-size bed and looks out over the leafy garden. There is plenty of space for all your treasured items with fitted book shelving and built-in cupboard space.

Refresh and revive in the ensuite, featuring walk-in electric shower and towel rail, newly tiled and refurbished in 2022.

Continuing along, discover a large bedroom overlooking the vegetable garden and handsome church nearby. With ample space for a king-size bed, this bedroom offers abundant storage, with a fitted wooden cupboard and curtained shelves. Both this and the previous bedroom offer access to the loft via ceiling hatches.

Storage is second nature in this spacious home, with the last of the bountiful bedrooms on this floor also featuring original wooden wardrobe and cupboard to either side of the chimney breast.

Storage heaven

Further storage can be found in the lofts above, one boarded and featuring lighting, completed in the 1980s and a large second loft completed in May 2007, furnished with metal beams to support the loft floor and boarding. Also served by lighting and electrics, this entire attic is insulated with Kingspan.

OWNER QUOTE: “It’s an incredibly useful mancave.”

There is also a handy cellar on the lower ground level, with stone floor that is currently used for tool and even food storage, accessed under the stairs via original stone steps. A good-size room, there is the potential to tank out this space and create an official snug or cinema room. Note the original meat hooks in the ceiling, testament to the antiquity of the home.

Country cottage garden

The crowning glory of Church Croft is its glorious gardens to the front and side. Secluded, serene and simply brimming with established shrubs and fruit trees, the gardens at Church Croft offer colour and interest all throughout the seasons.

South facing and sunny, original metal railings, surrounded by yew and holly hedges enclose the garden to the front. A chorus of colour in the springtime, a mature wisteria vine provides a purple haze of scent in May, with wildflowers and the spring bulbs preceding the annual blossoms. Enjoy warm summer days in the front garden, on the gravelled private patio area.

New beds and borders were added during 2020, when the garden was truly enhanced by the current owners.

A path leading to the east-facing vegetable garden was cleverly constructed from upcycled bricks sourced from the infill removed when exposing the original kitchen inglenook. Once the original access route between home and church, the vegetable garden now offers fertile soil for planting, with many sheds (including a hardy pebble dashed concrete shed with power and lighting) and a wooden greenhouse also aiding your green-thumb ventures. There is also a secret underground cellar, (a remnant of previous buildings on this plot, dating back to the 1700s) with an impressive, vaulted ceiling – handy for storing ladders and much more.

A garden alive with nature, from the birds to the bees, there is scope for keeping honeybees and hens – with a fully enclosed chicken coop in the garden.

Near and far

Nestled close to the heart of the Cheshire village of Davenham, enjoy the best of both worlds at Church Croft, with access to a whole range of walks within 20 yards of the gate. Stroll through the fields, or continue on to discover towpaths alongside the canal, and footpaths along the river.

Get to know the friendly faces of your neighbours in the two village pubs, The Bulls Head – also serving up gastro cuisine – and the more traditional Oddfellows. For a weekend treat, pick up dinner from the local Chinese takeaway or fish and chip shop in the village, with more dining options within easy walking distance in Kingsmead across the bypass.

Enjoy a spot of brunch at the recently opened Dexter & Hemsley café or pick up all you need for a home cooked breakfast at the Riverside Organic Farm Shop. Within the village amenities are plentiful, with a Spar shop at the BP garage, a Premier off-licence, florists, barbers, hairdresser, pharmacy and Post Office available.

Culture and leisure can be found on the doorstep, with the main parish church of St Wilfrid’s conveniently nestled next door, host to many clubs and societies from toddler groups to bell ringing, quiz nights and more. The local amateur dramatics theatre is only three doors away!

Pay a visit to the Salt Museum in nearby Northwich town or catch a film at the Odeon cinema in Northwich. For fresh air and exercise, Dunham Massey and Tatton Park are also all within easy reach.

Commute with confidence from Davenham, with Hartford station just ten minutes’ drive away, for links to Liverpool and Birmingham and with connections via Crewe to London. International travel is also conveniently accessible, with Manchester Airport just 20 minutes’ away by car. With the M6 just ten minutes away, you can hop onto the M56 within 15 minutes.

Ideal for families, with its large secure garden, bountiful bedrooms and nooks and crannies perfect for hide and seek, Church Croft is also in close proximity to parks, fields and good schools, including Davenham C of E Primary School and in neighbouring Hartford, independent school The Grange. Older children are also well served by the highly rated Sir John Deane’s college.

With its down to earth charm, quaint quirks, cosy character, bright and spacious rooms and glorious gardens, nestled in a secluded yet accessible spot in one of Cheshire’s most sought-after villages, Church Croft, a happy, functional family home, perfectly positioned between Manchester and Chester, might just be the answer to your prayers.

<b>Disclaimer</b>

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.

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All measurements are approximate.

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