Horton, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13

A handsome Grade II listed Old Vicarage nestled in a quiet, Staffordshire hamlet, surrounded by rolling countryside and close to commuter links.

Description

Horton Vicarage is a wonderful Georgian family home which has been lovingly restored to preserve its original period features with a contemporary twist, enjoying splendid views and benefitting from an extensive home office above the garage. Built in 1753 for John Wedgewood of the famous pottery family, the Vicarage is a historic building with connections to the ceramics industry which made Stoke-on-Trent famous around the world.

Stone steps rise to the original front door into the porch with quarry tiled floor which leads to a leaded original door into the delightful entrance hall with attractive parquet flooring which flows into the drawing room, a cloakroom with WC off and from which the traditional Georgian staircase with paneling rises to the first floor.

The magnificent 21’2 drawing room sits in the pretty Victorian section of the property with ornate cornicing and offers plenty of natural light with three west facing mullion windows restored by the current owners with far reaching views and has a coal fire with a marble and wood surround. The delightful sitting room lies to the front of the property and enjoys a dual aspect with original windows and working shutters, cornicing, bespoke window seating and an open fireplace. The formal dining room lies to the right of the hallway with traditional windows with working shutters, an open fire place with a marble and wood surround, deep skirting boards and attractive cornicing. The dining room leads though to the another hallway with Karndean flooring which flows into the snug and kitchen area. A fulyl fitted utility with quarry tiled floor lies off with space for a washing machine and dryer.

The highlight of the ground floor accommodation is the tremendous kitchen/dining area commissioned by the current owners to create a beautiful entertaining and living space. The kitchen has been lavishly designed by George Frederich Cabinet Makers in Leek with bespoke inframe kitchen and granite worktops and Lamona double oven and hob, and Lamona induction hob. There is also space for a fridge/freezer and a dishwasher. This area is spacious and light with original kitchen windows, atrium and velux windows flooding the room with plenty of natural light. There is space for a formal dining table and sliding doors lead onto the attractive patio area. Off the kitchen/diner lies the snug which provides a great space for relaxing. Completing the downstairs accommodation is an additional WC and access to the integral stone built garage which was originally separate to the main building but is now attached and has access to the main office & admin office. The property has a wonderful barrel vaulted cellar comprising of three rooms including a wine cellar which are accessed off the kitchen/diner.

The bedrooms are laid over two floors. To the first floor is the principal bedroom suite with original restored windows, mirror fronted triple wardrobes, a window seat and a contemporary en suite with a freestanding bath and separate walk in power shower. To this floor there are three further double bedrooms with fitted wardrobes or cupboards and a family bathroom. On the second floor are two spacious double bedrooms both with a walk in wardrobes and en suite shower rooms. There is also a storage cupboard on the landing. Externally, Horton Vicarage sits in a great plot with wrap around gardens and dry stone walls. The property benefits from a home office above the double garage with two sets of electric doors which can be accessed from the house or garage and is fitted with fibre broadband. It comprises of an office with wood panelled walls, a good sized boardroom, originally the old Sunday school room, which has exposed timbers and stone walls, a FUJITSU air conditioning unit, an inglenook style fireplace with a wood burner and a storage room beyond with stairs to the garage. This accommodation could be converted to an annexe or used as a holiday let subject to the necessary consents.

Horton Vicarage has a charming principal façade with two lawn areas, mature trees and stocked borders to the front. A gravel path around the house which leads to an enchanting raised garden with colourful flowerbeds and a sun terrace beneath a mature scots pine tree. Below is a large terrace area ideal for alfresco dining.

Location

Approached along a quiet lane, Horton Vicarage stands in an elevated position above a beautiful green rolling valley in the picturesque and historic village of Horton. The property enjoys a rural, but easily accessible setting, Horton is a pretty village of period cottages and houses, well-manicured gardens and the Church of St Michael in a quiet corner of the Staffordshire Moorlands.

The larger village of Biddulph and nearby towns of Leek and Congleton offer excellent amenities including supermarkets, independent shops, bars and restaurants. The house is in a conservation area which is noted for its great beauty and is on the fringes of the Peak District with its glorious countryside offering some of England’s finest walking, cycling, climbing and caving. Rudyard Lake is only one mile away and was a popular retreat in Victorian times. It is now home to two sailing clubs.
There are a number of good schools in the surrounding area including Horton Primary School, Endon and Leek High Schools, Kings in Macclesfield, Terra Nova Preparatory School and Denstone College. There is good road access for commuting to Manchester and a number of Midland Business centres including Derby, Stoke on Trent and Newcastle under Lyme. Regular services run from Macclesfield train station to Manchester with a travel time of 21 minutes. Regional International airports include Manchester, East Midlands and Birmingham.

Square Footage: 5,211 sq ft



Directions

From Leek take the A523 north, signed to Macclesfield. After approximately 2.4 miles turn left onto Rudyard Road signed Horton & Rudyard. Continue for 0.9 miles up the hill into the village of Rudyard and at the roundabout bear to the left onto Dunwood Lane (B5331). Continue for a further 0.7 miles and then turn right onto Tollgate Road. Continue up Tollgate Road for 0.6 miles, passing Horton Head Farm and turn right on to Heath House Lane. Continue up the hill and the property is found on your left hand side.