Willow Bank, Grange Lane, Whitegate CW8 2BQ

Stretching back over almost a quarter of an acre, with its idyllic waterside setting, far reaching views out over fields and easy flow living, Willow Bank could just be Whitegate’s best kept secret. No onward chain!

Idyllic setting

Just minutes’ drive from the handy train stations and local schools, village living in the rural idyll of Whitegate comes with added convenience. With endless walks, fields and waterways to explore, Willow Bank is perfectly poised to enable the best of country living. Ample parking is available on the large, paved driveway of Willow Bank, whilst a thatch of neatly mown lawn, plant filled borders and mature hedging provide a buffer of privacy from the wider world.

From beneath the canopy front, step inside into the entrance hall, where new flooring extends underfoot, accompanied by neutral décor for a contemporary feel. Freshen up in the downstairs WC, with vanity unit wash basin and heated towel radiator, before making your way right, into the lounge, where large windows draw in the daylight. Carpeted underfoot, and with an inky blue feature wall, this room has a relaxed warmth, ideal for unwinding at the end of a busy day.

OWNER QUOTE: “In the evening when the light is gone [from the terrace], we relax in the living room where it's cosy.”

The heart of the home The heart of the home is undeniably the open plan family kitchen diner, where bifolding doors frame elevated views out over the large garden, which runs down to a brook, and where unbroken vistas continue out over the fields beyond. Almost serving as part of the home, the terrace is an indoor-out room. Fold back the doors and flow out onto the large terrace, perfectly private and not overlooked, it is perfect for entertaining and unwinding with family and friends.

Back indoors, the well-stocked kitchen features a range of appliances including oven, induction hob, extractor, sink and fridge-freezer. Ample storage can be found in the sleek and modern handleless units and drawers.

OWNER QUOTE: “In the morning and throughout the day we spend most of our time as a family in the kitchen/diner.”

Well insulated, the kitchen has been partially opened to connect with the garage, used as storage space, with windows drawing in light and access out to the back.

Bedtime beckons Upstairs, off the landing, views greet you instantly from the spacious and light master bedroom. Wake up to spectacular country scenery, with the wide window looking out over the long garden, brook and fields beyond. Beneath an archway, the bedroom opens up into a bright dressing room with fitted wardrobe storage, where another window again retains those far-reaching rural views.

OWNER QUOTE: “You notice the different seasons much more living here.”

Turning left from the master bedroom, bedroom three is cosily carpeted in grey and is filled with light from a rear window overlooking the garden and fields embracing captivating and ever-changing views.

Rest and refresh Newly fitted, the family bathroom serves three of the four bedrooms at Willow Bank, tiled to the walls and floor and featuring a bath with overhead shower, demisting mirror with mood lighting, vanity unit wash basin and WC. Next, discover bedroom two.

With leafy views to the front, and dressed in neutral tones with feature wallpaper, this bedroom is served by a brand new ensuite. Fitted in 2024, this shower room ensuite features a two-drawer vanity unit wash basin, shower with marbled tiling to the walls, WC and demisting mirror with mood lighting.

Continue along the landing, before stepping up to bedroom four, a cosy and sequestered room which could be ideal as a nursery, should you wish to make the bedroom with the ensuite your main bedroom. It could also work well as a private and peaceful home office.

From the first floor there is access to a loft via soft-pull-down ladders. With precedent set by neighbouring homes for double story extensions, loft and garage conversions, there is scope, subject to obtaining the relevant permissions, for the same at Willow Bank.

Outdoor living

Willow Bank’s enduring appeal is its effortless ability to blend the outdoors and indoors. With views over the garden and countryside visible from the majority of the rooms, Willow Bank is fully in tune with its restful, rural surrounds. Nowhere epitomises this more plainly than the patio terrace, opening up off the kitchen via bifold doors, and showcasing effortless elevated vistas over the greenery that unfolds. Wine, dine, entertain, relax and unwind, capturing the splendid sunrises and sunsets. Below, steps lead down to the large lawn, bordered by mature planting. A haven for wildlife, there is also ample opportunity to grow your own in the vegetable plot and kitchen garden, or why not keep your own chickens as the current owners have done, utilising the chicken run on the lower lawn. Gather the harvest from the many fruit trees and bushes, including pears, apples, blueberries, raspberries and gooseberries. There is a handy shed for storage.

OWNER QUOTE: “When you're down there you feel like it's the most peaceful place in the world with the sound of the stream.”

Beautiful in winter, with the snow covering the fields as far as the eye can see, and resplendent in the summer months, with the corn fields and the garden in full colour, stretch out by the stream with a cup of tea and a book, as the children play in the trees at the bottom of the garden. An idyllic childhood home, youngsters have space to explore and really see nature and wildlife, to build dens, splash about in the shallow stream and listen to the gentle hooting of owls at night.

Out and about

A home in harmony with its setting, Willow Bank is nestled on the cusp of Whitegate, a stunning, semi-rural location that is only three minutes’ drive to Hartford Station and its connections to London in less than two hours, changing at Crewe. The shops, schools and amenities of thriving Hartford are only a short drive away, whilst Whitegate village centre, and its Ofsted rated ‘Good’ primary school, are only a few minutes’ walk away. Discover the various social events taking place at the Mews, including coffee mornings, wine, cheese and film nights, yoga, craft sessions, baby groups and more. Walk onto the Whitegate Way from Willow Bank and call in at the Station Cafe for coffee and cake.

Further afield, past the Vale Royal Abbey, you can walk along the river or, for the more adventurous, enjoy a summer stroll to the Hartford Hall Hotel via the fields. A 15-minute walk from the back garden and straight out over the back field leads you to local pub The Plough, where you can reward your exertions with a thirst-quencher in amiable surroundings. The Recreation Room venue is also around ten minutes’ walk away, hosting events such as the annual Whitegate Village Fair and also home to a recently rated 'Outstanding' nursery in the day time.

Well connected for travel to the wider world, Willow Bank is roughly 30 minutes’ drive from Chester, whilst from Hartford Station, Liverpool is only 30 minutes away by train. Families are well served by the village primary school, whilst there is a wide selection of schools in nearby Hartford, including independent school The Grange.

For leisure experiences there is so much to explore on your doorstep and further afield, from Blakemere Village - shops, playcentre and model railway, to crazy golf in Hartford, Marbury Park Lido, outdoor paddling pools in Northwich, Wild Tots, Board Game Café, The Ice Cream Farm and Beeston Castle to name but a few. Ideal for a young family, lovers of the outdoors or a couple who love to garden and to entertain, Willow Bank is a beautiful, peaceful, magical home in a truly unique location.

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 inquiries 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.