Oakley, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9

A striking home with links to the Wedgwood family and Darwin with a breath-taking staircase, fireplace, and craved archway of the finest craftsmanship from the nearby Maer Hall thought to be the first martial home of Emma Wedgwood and Darwin, all set in 8.57 acres.

Description

Daisy Lake is a wonderful imposing property which was built in 1968 to replicate a Georgian country house. Set in lovely grounds extending to just over 8.5 acres, the house was built to appreciate the glorious surroundings and was designed to afford maximum benefit of not only the beautiful gardens and grounds but to allow in plenty of natural light. The house offers all of this with decorative cornicing and wonderful room proportions whilst in its beautiful setting and grounds.

A fine classic Georgian portico with Balustrade, covers the front door which opens into the grand entrance hall with the decorative staircase, plenty of natural light and a chequered tiled floor with a chess board. Double doors lead into the triple aspect drawing room, with a Chesney woodburning stove and a decorative surround with a marble hearth. Views look towards the lake and gardens. The formal dining room offers views over the front of the house and has a working open fireplace.

The kitchen breakfast room offers a fantastic space with double doors leading outside onto the terrace, with a home office space. The kitchen was designed by Kenton Jones in 2005 and has a vast range of units and drawers with granite worktops, integrated microwave, fridge, freezer and dishwasher. There is a central island with power points, a boiling water tap and an electric 4 oven AGA.

The morning room may be accessed via the entrance hall and the kitchen and has doors out onto the terrace which attracts the morning sun. This room could ideally serve as a play room or family room. The utility room & laundry has space for a washing machine and dryer with doors leading outside to the terrace. The triple garage may be accessed via a fire door from the utility room.

The decorative staircase glides up to the first floor and a minstrel galleried landing which offers a space for a home office or potentially a fifth bedroom. The principal bedroom has views over the lake, with a separate dressing room and an en suite shower with twin vanity sink. There are a further 3 double bedrooms, all with lovely views and built in wardrobes and a separate family bathroom with a bath and separate shower.

OUTSIDE

The gardens and grounds of Daisy Lake are beautifully kept and well maintained. To the front of the house is a terraced parterre garden which leads away from the front door onto the driveway, which provides a wonderful theatre upon arrival.

Some of the land has been fenced into paddocks which would be suitable for horses or livestock to graze. This land may be accessed from the front of the house or from the side. There is planning permission in place for two stables, a hay store and tack room, (planning reference 13/00855/FUL).

The walled garden is a real feature, with fabulous Venable oak double doors either end. A Virginia creeper flanks one of the walls and there is a brick potting shed. A quaint door leads onto the formal gardens to the rear of the house which has a terrace running the full length which attracts the morning sun. Laurel hedging and mature trees including a Weeping Beech, Horse Chestnut, Sycamore, Oak, Holly, Silver Birch, Bluebells, Snowdrops and an Acer decorate the grounds.

The lake, stretching to about 1.34 acres, compliments the grounds beautifully and is stocked with coarse fish. There are various seating points around part of the lake and fishing points. There is a quaint, brick boat house which has been recently restored, with its own boat which is included in the sale. Beyond the lake is a conservation area which has purposefully been left as a wildlife haven which attracts nesting Buzzards and is flanked with bull rushes.

There are three paddocks either side of the entrance, one which has a brick building which was the original piggeries and has planning permission to alter and extend. This could serve as stabling or as a home office. The other paddock has the Hemp Brook flowing on the boundary and would be a suitable paddock for a pony. The triple garage is a fabulous space and houses a brick lined inspection pit with lighting. The garage also houses the boiler and has storage space which extends into the loft.

Rhododendrons add vibrant colour, during the summer months whilst an orchard planted with fruit trees including plum, pear and apple trees produce a productive crop of fruit.

Location

Daisy Lake is set in beautiful countryside in a highly accessible yet private situation down a long tree-lined drive.

The M6 ( J15) is about 15 miles distant, with Market Drayton 5 miles and Nantwich 15 miles, with the larger centres of Stoke-on-Trent 16 miles, Stafford 19 miles and Shrewsbury 24 miles. Trains from Stafford to London Euston take about 1 hour 20 minutes.

The international airports at Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool are all within distance.

There are a number of excellent schools both in the private and state sector are within reach of Daisy Lake.

Leisure pursuits are also excellent, including a top class golf course at Hawkstone Park as well as Market Drayton Golf Course.

There are numerous opportunities in the region for riding, walking, fishing and cycling.

Square Footage: 3,394 sq ft


Acreage: 8.57 Acres

Directions

From the A53, either from Market Drayton or Newcastle Under Lyme, turn onto the B5415 and continue on this this road before reaching a small stone bridge. The gates to Daisy Lake may be found on your right hand side just after the bridge.

Additional Info

HISTORY

Daisy Lake is in the centre of an area of great historical interest. The Battle of Blore Heath 1459, the first battle in the ‘War of the Roses’, took place literally around and over Daisy Lake. It is reputed that Queen Margaret of Anjou watched on from nearby Mucklestone Church.

The beautiful decorative oak staircase, the carved archway in the reception hall and the handsome fireplace in the drawing room, including a few doors and frames were reclaimed from nearby Maer Hall which was owned by the late Josiah Wedgwood the master potter. In 1839 his youngest daughter Emma married her cousin Charles Darwin and it is thought they started life together at Maer Hall.