Safely tucked behind its gates and walls, Heath House rises up, embraced by the lush greenery of its private gardens and woodland backdrop, where footpaths unfurl, leading into the nearby village of Bunbury and all it has to offer.

A handsome, timeless character home, offering sanctuary within and a cocooning sense of tranquillity outside, enveloped by mature hedgerows and the soothing cascade of water, let the wider world recede and retreat to the comfort and contentment of family life.

Beyond the electric gated entrance, mature trees enhance the privacy and serenity of the setting. Parking is plentiful, while approved planning permission is granted for a double garage with office above. Planning permission is also in place to convert the coach house into separate accommodation or use as an annex with a leisure suite.

A warm welcome

Built in 1860 with modern extensions to the rear creating a light-filled contemporary kitchen, Heath House remained in the same family for over 50 years prior to its purchase in 2018, a quiet testament to the warmth of welcome that is instantly evoked stepping through the front door with its characterful stained glass.

Minton tiled flooring features in the porch while in the entrance hall, its classic English proportions are revealed in the high ceilings and elegant cornicing. A home of substance, classic style and longevity, original fireplaces and ornate ceilings feature throughout.

Work from home in peace and privacy in the study to the left, where mahogany flooring flows out underfoot while sophisticated décor embellishes a feature wall. Light streams in through a large window, offering views out over the garden. With a view from every room, windows open out to the surrounding garden, where the woodland beyond creates a natural sense of privacy.

OWNER QUOTE: “The moment we walked through the door, it instantly felt like a family home.”

Across the hall, the sitting room embodies homely warmth; welcoming and light, embellished by detailed cornicing above, ornate ceiling rose and a handsome stone fireplace. Herringbone mahogany flooring lengthens the already spacious room, where sunlight streams in through beautiful sash windows to two sides. An inviting and cosy evening retreat, despite its grand proportions, this is an all-season room, where Christmas mornings come to life with the twinkling lights of a tall tree in the broad bay window.

OWNER QUOTE: “We tried to give each room its own character.”

Vintage rose wallpaper adorns the garden room, accessed directly ahead from the entrance hall, drawing the outdoors in. Rustic-feel wooden flooring flows underfoot with graceful cornicing skimming the ceiling edges above. A bright, warm room, where a curving window seat offers a place to pause and admire the glorious views of the garden, instantly accessible via the French doors. In winter, light the stove in its handsome wooden surround and watch the wildlife from the window.

OWNER QUOTE: “The home works really well for family life, three reception rooms means everyone has their own space to spread out. Even with four children, it never feels crowded, with sociable spaces at the back and quieter rooms at the front.”

With space for all at Heath House, a central lobby area offers access to a downstairs WC and boot room, a practical place for drying off after walks through the woodlands surrounding Bunbury, and a particularly useful room for those keeping pets.

Warmed by underfloor heating, the boot room leads through to the heart of the home, the open, light, sun-filled kitchen and orangery where the natural stone underfoot is again warmed by underfloor heating, continuing into the utility room.

Cook up a feast

A natural gathering space, having hosted numerous parties, the handmade Shaker-style kitchen in deep blue and soft grey accommodates all the storage and appliance space needed for such events, furnished with a wine fridge and dishwasher and currently housing an American style fridge freezer and a Lacanche Range cooker.

Picturesque views beckon above the French Butler sink, where light catches the two-tone leaves of the statuesque and mature maple tree outside.

OWNER QUOTE: “Even when it’s raining, we can still be in the outdoor kitchen, the canopy of the maple tree provides cover.”

Cook up a feast for friends, with plenty of preparation space on the Taj Mahal granite worktop of the island, with leathered granite worktops to the sides. Light streams in through the trio of French doors and roof lantern of the orangery, where candlelit suppers beckon on starry nights.

Tucked off the kitchen, the utility room serves as a practical back kitchen prep zone, with a Belfast sink, quartz worktops and plumbing for washing machine and dryer.

Bedtime bliss

Returning to the entrance hall, ascend the stairs to the airy and spacious first-floor landing, where five bedrooms, light, bright and with glorious garden views await.

Nestled along its own private inner landing, the master bedroom is a sophisticated and sequestered sanctuary, illuminated by crystal chandeliers set within decorative ceiling roses. Earthy, natural tones and feature wallpaper emulate the leafy surrounds and garden views perfectly framed by two sash windows.

Light and bright, soak and soothe in the spacious en suite with free standing roll top bath and separate shower with rainfall head. Twin wash basins set within a granite work surface also feature.

Peacefully overlooking the mature garden to the front, the guest bedroom, with its ornamental fire surround and private en suite with rainfall shower is another serene space, while bedroom three at the opposite end of the landing again displays characterful original features, again overlooking the front.

With plenty of space for a double bed in the fourth of the bedrooms, bedroom five, nestled at the front of the home, offers great scope as a nursery, laundry room or home office.

Refresh and revive in the large family bathroom, furnished with a shower, twin wash basins and WC.

The Coach House

The sense of entertaining and everyday living extends naturally beyond the main home, into The Coach House, a wonderfully adaptable space, currently arranged as a large, light-filled studio, opening through to a gym. It also features a series of rooms which include the original stabling, original features still intact.

Used variously as an art space, a place for fitness, games room and a sociable retreat for teenagers when friends call, The Coach House offers evolving flexibility that adapts with the needs of the family.

Planning permission is in place for conversion into a four-bedroom home or annexe, with further schemes proposed for a two-bedroom annexe incorporating an indoor swimming pool, gym and cinema room, with French doors opening out onto the garden.

An exciting prospect for future owners, for those seeking multigenerational living, guest accommodation or an independent space to shape, the groundwork has already been laid.

OWNER QUOTE: “It’s such a peaceful setting backing onto Sadlers Wells Woods, with all the amenities we could need just a short walk away in Bunbury – it’s the best of both worlds.”

Outdoor oasis

Framed by mature trees, including a striking sequoia planted by the previous owner whose passion for gardening remains in the landscaped surrounds, the garden at Heath House blends sheltered courtyard spots fragranced by summer wisteria to lush lawn, with ample space for children to roam and play, with the feel of a classic English garden.

Step onto the main patio, where an outdoor kitchen sheltered by the variegated maple is perfect for parties, with a mains gas BBQ, wood-fired pizza oven and drinks fridges.

Perennial planting softens the emerald lawn with seasonal colour, while two water features,  an elegant central overflow and a gently cascading waterfall, create a constant, soothing soundtrack, providing a peaceful backdrop to idyllic afternoons and summers spent outdoors from dawn ‘til dusk within the peace and privacy of the established hedgerows and outlying woodland, offering a sense of separation from the wider world.

Out and about

From the garden, Bunbury village is only a ten-minute walk away where you can pick up daily essentials from the well-stocked Co-op or pay a visit to one of the independent cafés, treating yourself to a Friday night takeaway pizza or a traditional fish and chip supper.

At either end of the village, two well-loved pubs provide refreshment after a warm summer’s day stroll. Footpaths weave out from the village in all directions, linking to the Shropshire Union Canal and stretching on towards Beeston and Peckforton Castles, offering miles of walking through open countryside.

Bunbury is home to a well-regarded primary school and an active village life, with a bowling club and a busy village hall hosting everything from yoga and Pilates to badminton and the WI. A village that retains its traditional sense of community spirit, Bunbury is a place where people tend to stay and put down roots.

For education further afield, Ellesmere College and The King’s School in Chester are both accessible, with bus links from the village. Crewe station lies around 25 minutes away, providing direct links to London for those commuting further afield.

Homes of this scale and character, within walking distance of a thriving village, are a rare find, tending to remain within families for generations at a time. Offering all the convenience of Bunbury’s amenities, yet the feeling of retreat once the gates close behind, with exciting projects ready to embark upon, Heath House beckons.

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.