Pickmere Country House, Knutsford

Guide price £795,000

Key features

• Vestibule, Entrance Hall and Cloak Room

• Dining Room, Drawing Room and Sitting Room

• Kitchen and Breakfast Room, 3 Cellar Rooms

• 11 Bedrooms (8 En-suite), 2 Family Bathrooms

• Garden Annexe comprising Bedroom and En-suite

• Plant Room and Store Room

• Substantial Attic Rooms with potential for conversion

• Private Drive and Parking Area

• Mature Lawned Garden and Patio

• Village Location

Property description

Tenure: Please confirm if this is a freehold or leasehold property with Fisher German

A Grade II Listed Georgian house currently run as a successful guest house occupying a semi-rural location in a desirable village near Knutsford

Location
Pickmere Country House is situated in a convenient location within the popular village of Pickmere a short distance from Knutsford. The immediate area offers a good range of services including SPAR store in neighbouring Wincham, a bustling high street in Knutsford with Aldi, Booths and Waitrose and a wide selection of restaurants, pubs and cafes as well as a high street bank, GP practice and Post Office. More comprehensive amenities are available in the nearby town of Northwich being 4 miles distant. Local recreational facilities include a cricket club at Toft, golf at Heyrose, Antrobus and Hartford in addition to the exclusive spa and golf resort at Mere. For those seeking outdoor pursuits there is extensive walking throughout the local area, of note is the picturesque Pickmere Lake and beyond into the Peak District. Historic homes, gardens and parks are prevalent in the area with Tatton Park and Tabley House being a short distance away in Knutsford and Arley Hall is within 5 miles, best known for its beautiful gardens and stately home.

On the educational front there are state primary and secondary schools locally including Wincham Community Primary School with an “Outstanding” Ofsted rating and for those seeking private education, Cransley School and The Grange at Hartford are both within local commuting distance.

Commuting to the commercial centres of the northwest and beyond is straightforward with easy access to the M6 and M56 and the property is within 9 miles of Hartford train station providing a 1hr 55 service to London and a regular 51 minute service to Manchester Piccadilly from Plumley. There are international airports at Manchester and Liverpool, respectively.

The Accommodation
Pickmere Country House is an imposing period property constructed of red Flemish brick bond under a slate roof with a handsome 3 bay symmetrical façade. The house is believed to date from 1772 originally being a farm house and is very typical of its era as its appearance has stone lintels, sash windows and rustic voussoirs with dropped keystones. Internally the accommodation is equally as impressive, with many period features across the 3-storey accommodation having recently undergone a scheme of modernisation to include a new fire alarm system, installation of new combi boiler and high-pressure water system, full refurbishment of many of the bathrooms and bedrooms and renovation of the Garden Annexe amongst other maintenance works. The property is currently run as a guest house with a full alcohol licence and a well-established grounding to progress the business should one wish as the attic rooms would lend themselves well as additional accommodation and the cellars equally have huge potential for further recreational space to grow the business or create a luxurious family home. Alternatively, it is conceivable the property could be used as a private home for a single family or multigenerational living. Alternatively, the building could split into self-contained units subject to gaining the relevant permissions. There is no doubt the house offers great potential and will appeal to a variety of buyers.

A glazed door opens into the vestibule off which is the cloak room and access to the staircase hall. From the staircase hall access is gained to the cellars and double doors lead to the reception hall and original foyer. The cellars comprise of 3 rooms with vaulted ceilings and spacious storage room currently used as a drinks store. To either side of the hall are the principal reception rooms comprising dining room and lounge in addition to the kitchen. The dining room is an elegant and well-proportioned room with a feature fireplace and the adjoining drawing room is a particularly comfortable room having a fireplace with gas stove effect fire, tall ceilings with picture rail and a 3 bay window with a pleasant aspect over the rear garden. Off the hall is a bureau area and beyond is the kitchen with a full range of wall and base units incorporating a new 5 ring Rangemaster Lackford Deluxe gas stove, sink unit and dishwasher with ample space for informal dining. Beyond is a well-appointed sitting room with a multifueled stove, character beams and a rear garden aspect.

The first-floor accommodation is accessed via a turned staircase to an open landing. From the landing access is gained to 5 bedrooms served by a family bathroom and 4 ensuite shower and bathrooms. The master suit is of particular note with a full range of built-in wardrobes, dressing area and ensuite bathroom and along with bedrooms 1 and 2, enjoys a lovely aspect over the surrounding countryside. On the second floor there are 6 further bedrooms with a family bathroom and 4 ensuite shower and bathrooms. In the hallway a loft hatch opens to the attic which comprises of 2 large rooms with sizable storage space for alternative accommodation subject to the relevant permissions. Architects’ drawings are available showing a concept for conversion, please see the agent for further details. The floor area extends to approximately 430sq.m (4,636sq.ft) of accommodation excluding attic and cellars.

Outside
The property is accessed through a gated entrance onto a substantial parking area beneath the south front. A secondary access comes through the rear of the property over Merehaven Close providing an ‘in and out’ style driveway. The house enjoys a mature south facing garden enclosed by hedging and is dispersed with perennials, Hazel, Palm, Magnolia and various flowering trees and shrubs. Off the flagged patio is the Garden Annexe which has recently been renovated to offer further letting room comprising a bedroom and shower room designed for disabled access. Adjoining is the plant room which has a newly installed Valiant boiler and a Worcester combi boiler servicing part of the ground floor accommodation and the annexe. Pickmere Country House is situated in approximately 0.2 acres (0.08ha).

Services
Mains water, electricity and gas. Telephone line.

Business Rates
The current rateable value is £10,500. Up to 100% of Small Business Rates Relief may be available. Interested parties should contact the Local Authority for more information.

Tenure
The property is offered freehold with vacant possession.

Fixtures and Fittings
All fixtures and fittings, furniture, lighting, garden ornaments and statuary are excluded from the sale. Some may be available by separate negotiation.

Local Authority & Council Tax
Cheshire East Council T: W:
Council Tax Band B - £1,494.51 payable 2021/22

Directions
From Knutsford travel west on the Northwich Road turning right at the traffic lights onto the A556. After 1/4 mile turn left at The Windmill pub into Pickmere Lane. Follow Pickmere Lane for 2 1/4 miles turning right at The Red Lion pub. Follow the road around a left-hand bend and the house will be seen on the road on the left identifiable via a swing board.

Photographs and particulars produced February 2022.

Viewings
Strictly by appointment through the selling agent, Fisher German. T: 01565 745326
E: knutsfordagency@fishergerman.co.uk