Ivy Bank Lodge, Warrington Road, Mickle Trafford, CH2 4EA

Cradled in a hamlet containing just a handful of homes, Ivy Bank Lodge is one of Cheshire’s best kept secrets.

Country living, city connections

Set back from the old Chester Road, Ivy Bank Lodge sits within the sought-after commuter belt of Mickle Trafford, blending the calm of country living with city convenience, also positioned just two miles from the village amenities of Hoole.

Accessed up a series of deep stone steps which lead through a densely planted front garden, the shimmering screen of leaves from a mature copper beech add a sense of separation as you make your way to the front door.

Heritage home

A listed former 18th century farmhouse, once known as Ivy Bank Farmhouse, now thoughtfully divided into three, Ivy Bank Lodge was extended in the early 19th century, and is an eye-catching home, built from Flemish bond brown brick. A former cheesery, rooms retain their original features for a sense of true character within.

Park up on the cobbled courtyard before making your way indoors. Inside, the entrance hall sets the tone, with quarry tiles underfoot, a handsome wooden staircase and chair rails that echo the home’s history.

Food for thought

Turn right into the kitchen, where an original beam continues the connection to the home’s age and character, while lighter-toned floor tiles reflect the sunlight that fills the room. Practical and well-equipped, with a dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, large fridge-freezer, electric hob and oven, there is plenty of scope to personalise this space to your own tastes.

Earthy tones embellish the walls in the living room to the left of the entrance hall, with deep window seats providing a place to pause and enjoy garden views from two sides. The original wooden shutters have been carefully retained, ready to be reinstated if desired. Original fitted storage frames the focal wall, including a characterful bee-hive cupboard with shaped shelves and an arched top, flanking the log-burning stove set within a wooden fireplace.

Modernised spaces

From the entrance hall, stairs lead down into the barrel-vaulted cellar, a beautifully converted space with tiled floor, exposed brickwork and its own external door – making it ideal for use as a home office. Fully tanked and modernised, it’s been used as a dining room in the past, but would work just as well as a playroom, teenage den or tucked-away snug.

Back on the ground floor, take the beautifully carved staircase up to the first-floor landing, a space devoted to the main bedroom and bathroom. Classic shades of cocoa and cream dress the walls, with light toned carpet underfoot.

Sweet dreams

On the right, the master bedroom is a vast space, with seated windows to two sides inviting an abundance of light. Part of the Grade-II listing, original built-in wardrobes offer plenty of storage, with an original fireplace also in situ, whilst the beam overhead is painted in white for a fresh, contemporary balance.

Along the landing, the main bathroom is grandly sized and furnished with a centrally filling bath with showerhead attachment, alongside a wash basin, WC, bidet and cream heated towel radiator.

Stud walling could be removed to reconnect this bathroom with the handy separate shower room next door, which again features an original fireplace.

Original character

Continue up the stairs to the second floor, where a spacious double bedroom awaits on the right, nestled beneath a high, sloping ceiling traced by original chocolate toned beams.

As the staircase splits up to the left, another double bedroom beckons, characterful, spacious and light.

Tucked beneath the eaves at the top of the house, discover a perfect study or creative retreat. A skylight overhead pushes open to welcome natural light, while a beautifully preserved panel of listed wattle and daub near the stairhead is a rare and tactile reminder of the building’s early origins - history revealed and preserved.

Outdoors at Ivy Bank Lodge

Beyond the house, a paved patio leads onto a gently sloping lawn, enclosed and secure with gated access to the side. Fruit trees feature, including a splendid plum tree adding a touch of seasonal delight, while the garden bathes in the afternoon sun, particularly beautiful in late spring, when the plants and trees hum with colour and life.

Out and about

Facing the old Chester Road, Ivy Bank Lodge blends Cheshire country charm with city convenience; commutable yet surrounded by countryside.

Just two miles from Hoole, all the amenities are close by, including a local Post Office and shop nearby for milk and daily essentials, with good pubs like The Shrewsbury Arms and The Chester Fields offering sociable spots to eat and unwind.

Just a short distance from Chester, it’s an easy taxi ride home after dinner out or a night at the theatre.

For families, the nearby Mickle Trafford Village School, just a short walk away on School Lane is ideal, with a range of secondary and independent schools also close by. And for weekend adventures, the Millennium Way cycle trail is close by; a traffic-free route all the way to the Greyhound Bridge in Chester, perfect for sunny-day rides with children.

From here, it’s also just a short hop to Chester Zoo, Cheshire Oaks, or the main routes into North Wales for days out by the coast or in the high mountains.

A home that’s brimming with quirks and character, Ivy Bank Lodge is the perfect place for those who love a home with soul, brimming with original features and versatile rooms over four storeys. A home ready for its next chapter, Ivy Bank Lodge awaits.

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.