Location
The Hough is situated in an idyllic rural position off a quiet country lane just beyond Malpas some 16 miles to the south of the county town of Chester. Occupying a slightly elevated position with south-easterly aspect, The Hough enjoys scenic views across farmland and wooded countryside in an unspoilt part of South Cheshire. The village of Malpas with its distinctive memorial cross and historic buildings is fully serviced with church, restaurants, pubs, surgery and village stores. Local schools include Heber High on the outskirts of Malpas, The White House at Whitchurch, The Kings and Queens schools in Chester and Ellesmere College. On the recreational front there is a sports club in Malpas and several golf courses locally including Hill Valley and Carden Park. For the equestrian enthusiasts there is racing at Chester and Bangor on Dee, hunting with the Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn’s Hunt and Cheshire Beagles.

Communications
The area enjoys good road communications via the A41 which connects to the M53/M56 motorways beyond Chester permitting daily travel to Liverpool and Manchester. To the south the A41 connects with the M54 allowing for ease of access to Telford, Wolverhampton and Birmingham. Liverpool and Manchester international airports are 30 and 41 miles respectively and travel to London is available via Crewe station which is 17 miles providing a sub-2 hour inter-city service to Euston.

• Malpas 1 mile • Chester 16 miles • Wrexham 12 miles • M53/M56 motorways 18 miles • Whitchurch 5 miles
(distances approximate)

The Property
The Hough is a handsome 3 storey former farmhouse believed to date in part from the 19th century with later additions and constructed of brick with rendered elevations incorporating quoins and half timbering to part under a slate roof. The
farmhouse is approached via a private cobbled courtyard flanked by a collection of traditional buildings in separate ownership which have been converted with independent access from the lane. Internally The Hough offers generous family accommodation which was the subject of comprehensive refurbishment by the current owners circa 2000. At the time the property was re-wired and re-plumbed having the benefit of a pressurised water system, electric under-floor heating to the ground floor and conventional radiators on the upper floors served by an oil boiler. All the principal rooms are well proportioned with high ceilings, open fireplaces, ceiling cornices, picture rails, pine doors and an impressive full height pitch pine staircase serving all 3 floors. From the front door a spacious reception hall connects to the staircase hall with access to the gardens beyond. Both the drawing room (23’10”) and dining room (16’3”) are elegant rooms overlooking the gardens and pond and the sitting room is a cosy family snug with wood-burning stove. The custom built kitchen complete with island unit and oil fired Aga incorporates a spacious dining area with French window accessing the garden terrace. Adjacent to the kitchen is a separate pantry, utility room and freezer room. At first floor level and accessed off a spacious landing are master and guest bedrooms with independent bathrooms, both of which are capable of being en-suite. The landing connects to 2 further double bedrooms served by a family bathroom and separate W.C. with linen room opposite and back staircase landing. On the top floor there are 2 more double bedrooms and a large boxroom with plumbing connected which would readily convert to a bathroom.

Garden Cottage
Attached to the house beyond the kitchen albeit with independent front door is Garden Cottage which is a self-contained unit with the benefit of gas central heating. The cottage comprises sitting room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom and
has been rented in the past but is equally suitable for staff or dependent relatives.
www.jackson-stops.co.uk
To the front of The Hough and accessed from the terrace is a large lawned garden which extends down to a most attractive water feature in the form of a naturally fed pond. The pond, completed in 2007 incorporates a small pontoon and was designed to be used for summer swimming and boating. The water is bordered by a mown path through a small meadow area and has been planted with many native species to encourage wildlife. To the side of the garden is a small turning out paddock which also incorporates a menage and below the garden a larger field with frontage to the lane and a small pond. The whole extending to 7.18 acres (2.9 ha) or thereabouts.

Outbuildings
Behind The Hough is an extensive cobbled courtyard providing a generous parking and turning area for cars, horse boxes and other vehicles. Beyond the farmhouse at the top of the yard is a traditional brick and slate barn (65’ x 20’ approx) incorporating 2 loose boxes, tack room, 2 further loose boxes and garage which are currently used as a log store, garden implement shed and hay barn. The building is two storey and has the benefit of planning permission for conversion of the top floor to form a flat but also has the potential to become a leisure complex or offices subject to obtaining the necessary consents.

The Gardens and Grounds
The gardens are laid out to the front of The Hough which has a second entrance drive off the lane with gravelled parking area adjacent to the site of a former tennis court being suitable for garaging, additional stabling or a tennis court subject to the availability of planning permission. From the drive a pathway bordered by lavender beds leads up to the property which is clad in climbing roses, clematis and honeysuckle incorporating a verandah with loggia and undercover dining area, with a stone flagged terrace divided by a series of flower beds. From the terrace is a pathway running in front of the barn against which there are climbing fruit trees and beyond is a productive kitchen garden