Dee Banks, Chester, Cheshire, CH3

A magnificent Grade II* listed house, sitting proudly above the River Dee.

Description

Successful Victorian Architects could amass large fortunes. John Douglas, who settled in Chester in the 1850s, worked extensively for the 1st Duke of Westminster in and around Chester. He built Walmoor House overlooking the river Dee in Chester as his family home. The house is built of local red sandstone with finely tooled surfaces and a grey-green slate roof.

Above the entrance porch is the coat of arms of the Douglas family. Douglas almost obsessive family pride is illustrated by his adoption of the Douglas Coat of Arms, and its recurrence throughout the house. The main feature of it is a red heart, the heart of Robert Bruce; Good Sir James Douglas was killed in battle with the Saracens in Andalusia in 1330 whilst carrying the heart to the Holy Lands for burial in Jerusalem.

The Property
Walmoor House is Grade II* listed. It sits in an enviable conservation area overlooking the River Dee, the Meadows and the Chester skyline. The property has an abundance of period features which have been carefully retained and the house is a much loved family home which has been treasured and enjoyed by the current owners for over twenty years.

Over the entrance porch is a private chapel lit by an oriel window. To the left of the entrance is a three storey tower with octagonal stair turret which resembles a medieval keep.

The reception hallway has a real wow factor with an impressive dark polished oak staircase soaring up to the upper level with an arched screen supported on columns in the shape of ancient jars. The ceiling panels are richly stencilled and this grand hall is a fantastic area for entertaining. There is a bar perfectly placed for greeting guests with a welcoming drink and an open fireplace with intricately carved mantlepiece. This is a lovely spot to congregate for large gatherings or cosy family evenings.

Leading off the reception hallway to the right is a formal drawing room again with lots of oak panelling, mullioned windows with beautiful leaded glass, some depicting the Douglas Coat of Arms, decorative architraves and cornicing, window seats and full bay window seat. A really beautiful feature of this room is the carved oak mantlepiece creating a magnificent centrepiece. An oak panelled door opens into the dining room a room which again mirrors the grandeur of the other reception rooms with mullioned leaded glass windows and oak panelling. All the reception rooms have high ceilings and wonderful light with an abundance of glass. The drawing room and dining room connect back through to the reception hallway creating a sociable and logical flow. The floors throughout the ground floor are oak. A cloakroom/wc completes the accommodation on this level.

On the lower ground floor is a spacious utility area with underfloor heating, storage cabinets, plumbing for a washer/dryer and walk-in pantry. The kitchen has a range of wall and base units, integrated appliances to include a dishwasher, Aga, wine store, breakfast island, chef’s station, marble work surfaces and part glazed doors out to an entertaining patio.

The polished oak panelling from the ground floor is replicated on the first floor and complimented by an intricate ceiling design emblazoned with the architect’s initials. The eye is drawn to the superb marquetry on the arches above the stairway. There are three bedrooms on this floor one is a superb principal bedroom suite with elaborate corner bay window with views to the River Dee. The spacious en suite bathroom has a bath tub, wc and his and her sinks. There is a connecting door from the principal bedroom to a dressing room/Bedroom four and Bedroom four. There is a family bathroom on this level. The former family chapel, now used as a study, is a really special place with stained glass windows said to depict the Saints Cecelia and Dunstan. Again, the marquetry and craftsmanship in this room is outstanding.

A sandstone stairway leads up to the former servants’ quarters. There are three bedrooms on this level and a bathroom.

The gardens and grounds extend to about 1.3 acres. It is rare to find such extensive gardens so close to the city centre. The gardens comprise of lawned and part wooded areas with some fine specimen trees and mature borders and hedging. Within the grounds is a Grade II listed well dating from about 1897. The woodland is dissected by gravel pathways.

Cottage/Garage Studio
There is a separate cottage which has a kitchen/living area, bathroom and sleeping area. The cottage has underfloor heating and this is an ideal space for a dependent relative or guest accommodation.

The garage was remodelled in 2020/2021. This is a fantastic flexible space and could easily be used as a studio or office space as it has underfloor heating.

Location

Walmoor House is in a prime position sitting high on a bluff above the River Dee.

Good quality housing and a strong local community make this area of Chester a highly desirable place to live as well as its proximity to Waitrose and the city centre.

A key attraction of Chester is the high standard of education. There are notable independent day schools including King’s and Queen’s School, Abbey Gate College and The Firs which are all within a short distance.

Chester has direct access to the motorway network, linking to Manchester, Liverpool and their airports and to the North Wales coast. It also offers a direct rail service to London Euston (about 2 hours).

Opportunities for walking, boating and picnicking are immediately to hand and Chester city centre, with its premium retail, restaurant and cultural destinations is within one mile.

Please note: all times and distances are approximate.

Square Footage: 4,305 sq ft