Manor Road, Darwen

Proudly overlooking the historic market town of Darwen, discover the Art Nouveau grandeur of No. 121, Manor Road, an enchanting Edwardian villa, built in 1909 for the daughter of a prominent local builder's merchant.

Classic elegance meets contemporary comfort in this three-storey, six-bedroom home, securely tucked behind a private gated entrance, where a large driveway sweeps up through mature borders brimming with evergreen planting, past a spectacular show of rhododendrons, before reaching a double garage at the top.

Nestled against a backdrop of rolling moorland and situated across from the park, sense the serenity and seclusion of No. 121, Manor Road before you reach the front door.

Accessible via a York stone paved path from lower down the driveway, make your way to the ornate, oriel bay entrance to this handsome redbrick home.

Character and charm
Stepping into the porch, light streams in through leaded, stained-glass windows, where fan shaped mosaic tiling extends underfoot. Doff your coat and hang it on the rack, before stepping through an arched set of leaded glass double doors and into the entrance hall.

Broad and bright, this area truly showcases the heritage features retained and restored by the current owners. Period tiles extend underfoot, with ornately embellished architraves and coving and picture rails to the doorways, ceiling and walls. Ahead, the beautiful pitch pine staircase infuses the space with warmth and formality, whilst the stunning jade green tiled fireplace is an utterly unique sight to behold.

Laidback luxury
Make your way through the arched double doors on the left, into the lavishly sized lounge, a light and airy room courtesy of the height of the ceiling and immense, stained-glass bay window looking out over the garden and hedgerows. Warm-toned oak flooring extends underfoot, with a softness bestowed upon the room courtesy of the oval windows and arches. The ornately plastered ceiling adds further formality and flair.

A splendid entertaining room, this is the perfect room in which to receive guests or enjoy a quiet afternoon reading a book or watching the wildlife through the bay window. There is even a drop-down projector hidden here behind the canvas.

Practical places
Next door on the left, admire the embellished brass handle as you enter the laundry room, where there is plumbing for a washing machine and dryer alongside panelled walls, wood and mosaic tiled flooring and a large window to the garden. Throughout, note the antique style radiators that feature throughout the home. Look up to spy the ornate plaster coving and useful suspended clothes airer.

Feast your eyes
Across the entrance hall on the right, feast your eyes upon the incredible formal dining room. Modern flooring melds with the Art Nouveau stained-glass of the bay window, through which the rhododendrons and lawn are beautifully framed. Two elegant, oval, stained-glass windows flank the fireplace, within which a two-sided log burner warms both the dining room and contemporary kitchen beyond.

A substantially sized room, with soft blue coloured décor to the lower walls and cream white above, picture traditional Christmas lunch with the family all gathered around the table. This is a home simply made for families and for entertaining.

Contemporary meets classic
Opening up from this elegant dining space is the modern family kitchen, part of a contemporary extension.

Underfloor heating emanates warmth and welcome, in this impressive German Schuller kitchen, furnished with sleek, handleless grey full height cabinetry, offering ample storage, and fitted with an array of Neff appliances including induction hob, pop-up extractor, dishwasher, fridge and freezer, microwave oven and oven with Slide and Hide door, in addition to a coffee machine. Every inch of space is cleverly allotted, with integrated pull-out larder unit, cookery book shelving and wine racks.

Family time
Dine sociably at the breakfast bar with quartz worktops beautifully illuminated by the contemporary down lighting. There is also a large pantry.

Opening up from the kitchen is the fantastic family lounge, where light spills down from roof lanterns above and large, sliding doors offering instant access out to the patio and garden. A room in constant contact with the outdoors, the oval stained-glass windows connect with the dining room, with warmth emanating from the double-sided log burner.

Beyond the sitting room, discover another practical side of the home, where a contemporary, recently refurbished wet room shower room, with rainfall head, WC and wash basin alongside a chrome heated towel radiator, can be found.

Access from this rear hallway leads to a utility room with Belfast sink, storage and boiler, beyond which there is further storage.

And so to bed...
Ascend the carpeted, pitch pine staircase to arrive at the first-floor landing, admiring the detailed carving along the bannister, turning up the wide treads.

From the landing, spy the feature lighting, cascading down from the second floor above to offer illumination across three levels.

Directly ahead, make your way through to bedroom three, a spacious double bedroom, brimming with light from a large triple window, overlooking the garden to the front and side and the woodland beyond. The elegant, period, tiled fireplace infuses such character, adding a charming warmth to this bedroom.

Turning left from this bedroom, arrive at bedroom five, currently serving as a study. Overlooking the wooded countryside, this peaceful bedroom again features a feature period fireplace with cast iron insert.

Bountifully sized and with far reaching vistas out over the garden and parkland to the front make your way through to the master bedroom. The broad bay window floods this cosily carpeted bedroom with light, whilst the feature fireplace borrows from the gothic arched design of the green fireplace in the entrance hall.

Throughout the bedrooms, ornate coving and traditional radiators add such warmth.

Soak and sleep
Next door to the master suite is bedroom four, with treetop views of the park, and in the winter months when the leaves have dropped, to the distant hills. An ideal size for a nursery, this bedroom could also serve well as a dressing room to the master.

Retracing your steps along the landing, from the top of the stairs to the left, refresh and revive in the refurbished four-piece bathroom, where elegant herringbone tiled flooring and rich deep green panelling with gold fittings creates a luxurious feel. Blending with the ceramic pedestal wash basin, double walk-in shower with gold waterfall head and handheld attachment and claw footed bath, original Minton Majolica frieze tiling, skims the ceiling for a sense of period elegance. There is also a WC and black heated towel radiator.

Turning left out of this bathroom, step down into the modern extension, where the guest bedroom is sequestered away from the main flow of the home.

Arrive first at the ensuite, furnished with WC, vanity unit wash basin, bidet and shower. Light flows in through the rooflight above.

Emerge into the guest bedroom, a capaciously sized bedroom with laminate flooring and ample space for a seating area to one side. French doors open to a large balcony; a blissful and private space in the summertime, overlooking the treetops and garden.

Take the stairs up once more to the second-floor landing, where the tall ceiling height continues and a stunning stained-glass atrium adds to the myriad of eclectic features found at No. 121, Manor Road.

From this landing, discover a sixth bedroom, with high vaulted ceiling, wash basin and even a large walk-in cupboard - ideal as a dressing room. Off this area is a second large store room. A further bedroom with vaulted ceiling lies on this level with stunning views out over the countryside. Consider transforming this level into a bedroom suite for older teenagers craving their independence.

Outdoor oasis
Tucked away behind mature hedges and well-stocked borders, the established gardens at No. 121, Manor Road spring into life around April-May time. A broad selection of plants and shrubs offer year-round colour and interest and serve as a haven for wildlife and birds, with birdsong a constant soundtrack throughout the seasons.

Swathes of lawn are perfect for children and pets, whilst a greenhouse and vegetable patch are perfect for those wishing to try their trowel-hand at living 'The Good Life'.

The large double garage provides ample parking and is also fitted with an inspection pit for car enthusiasts.

Dine alfresco on the Indian stone paved patio and wine and dine family and friends throughout the summer. This sunny, south-facing back garden nestles beneath Darwen Tower and the Moors, promising privacy throughout the seasons.

Out and about
With masses of room for children and pets to play indoors and out at No. 121, Manor Road, this is such a safe home for all the family. Outside, the no-through-traffic road is quiet and peaceful, with a playground and park on the doorstep and the local primary school just a five-minute walk from the front door.

Directly opposite, discover the delights of Bold Venture Park with its sculpture trail, Grade II listed war memorial and lake filled with geese and ducks. Where the bandstand once stood is now a well-equipped children's playground. With plenty of open spaces in which to exercise the dog, there is also a rose garden, pergola and pathways that meander down alongside streams and planted borders.

From the top park it is a 20-minute walk to the Jubilee Tower, with stunning views out over the valley.

Discover the thriving town of Darwen, with its excellent night life and great selection of restaurants and bars. For culture, take a tour of the Darwen Heritage Museum, visit the local library, or take in a show at the theatre.

Tranquil and rural, No. 121 is yet well located for travel, with excellent links to the M65 motorway enabling day trips to the Fylde Coast and Lake District. Direct trains also run between Darwen and Manchester, via Bolton for commuters.

With a range of shops and supermarkets all within walking distance, Darwen is also home to an indoor market, open six days a week.

Families are perfectly placed close to several primary schools, including St Joseph's RC Primary School, with buses picking up from outside the house for St Bede's.

Impressive and unique, No. 121, Manor Road is the ideal home for a nature-loving family who love to entertain, blending both the peace and quiet of the countryside with easy access out into the city.


Council Tax Band: F (Blackburn with Darwen Council )
Tenure: Leasehold (881 years)
Ground Rent: £6 per year