Orrell Road, Wigan, Greater Manchester, WN5

Although miles from the distant coast the burgeoning canal network ensured Wigan's prosperity as a manufacturing town during the industrial revolution and gave rise to the myth of it having a pier. Actually that is not quite true as a pier does indeed exist though you would be hard pressed to buy the kids a celebratory Kiss-me-Quick hat and a Mr Whippy but who among us is brave enough to contradict George Orwell? In spite of it remaining a centre for industry, never think that is all there is on offer as anyone old enough to recall the Northern Soul scene will attest and it remains surrounded by open countryside that could make you think you were anywhere. So it is a place of contrasts with much to offer, whatever your tastes or needs and this, combined with the ease of access to the cultural centres of Manchester and Liverpool makes it a tempting proposition.
To the front of this particular home what was once the garden has been given over entirely to a parking area so however many of the kids friends turn up, space should never be an issue. What could otherwise be made to look a bit stark is saved from this by the mass of colour provided by the thick shrubbery running along each side. The paving continues past the home to the detached garage at the rear which provides for either a sizeable workshop or all the storage you could need because after all, who put cars in there these days?

Opening the front door takes us into a handy lobby ideal for the stowing of outdoor coats and shoes before we pass into the wide and airy inner hallway where the staircase rises in front of us. Passing the stairs another door on our right reveals the main lounge which overlooks the front. In here the bright atmosphere of the hall is continued thanks to the sheer size of the forward facing picture window, while the room is adequately big so that even today's trend towards oversized furniture does not seem out of place and the room never feels overpowered. The main focal point of the room however, is the log burner sitting beneath its attractive wooden mantle. These are always appealing features, to me anyway and yes, they may produce dust and take extra work but the beauty of a real fire is always worth it.

The previous owners of this lovely home evidently share my view, because, passing through the large arch at the rear of the room we find another identical fire nestling in the hearth. It almost makes you wish for winter... Once again light is the watchword in here, this time courtesy of the large patio doors and the additional full height windows to each side of them. What we are left with is a very attractive dual purpose room equally suited for use as a dining room or secondary living space.

Another door at the top of the hall opens into a utility room which contains fridges and freezers plus large additional work surfaces. From here we pass into the kitchen where all the expected items and their accompanying storage cupboards, both high and low level fill every wall. With the exception of the entrance and the back door opposite, obviously. This has the effect of making the room, which is not the biggest on the planet a neat and ergonomically efficient space in which to work and takes the stress off the chef which can only be a good thing.

Stepping out through the back door onto the huge patio area the overall size of the garden comes as a pleasant surprise. The patio is separated from the adjacent drive by a low fence and from the lawn area by centrally positioned planters acting as a barrier but, being filled with various shrubs and plants, a very colourful one and the theme of colour continues around the entire perimeter. All this makes it a very relaxing place to be and easily big enough for children to 'express' themselves in safety without getting under adult feet.
Moving back indoors and climbing the stairs to the landing we come first of all to the family bathroom. Rather like the kitchen beneath it, this is not particularly big, but then it doesn't need to be. There is ample space for a pedestal hand basin, lavatory and traditional bath while in the opposite corner is a walk-in shower cubicle and if you need more than that, you're showing off.
Beside here and overlooking the rear garden is the first of the double bedrooms which is, as you would expect, a large and well proportioned room. It provides more than enough space for all the free standing furniture you could realistically want or need and however extravagant your taste, it is unlikely you would feel cramped.
Moving towards the front of the home we find the smallest of the rooms which, like so many of those in three bedroom houses is strictly a single. I say strictly, but I once had a room in shared house which was no bigger and contained a wardrobe, chest of drawers and double bed. Admittedly I was a student at the time and possibly a little less discerning... not to mention flexible.
Finally we come to the principal bedroom which, as is only right is the largest of all. Here you could indulge your taste in furniture to the extreme but for anyone with more conservative needs there is more than enough space to allow you to move around with ease, something that these days, is all too rare.

All in all this is a home that has a great deal to offer. For anyone still tied to the yoke of employment and needing to commute, the proximity of the motorway network is a Godsend and the ease with which you can get into the town centre removes another source of potential stress. Families with energetic children will appreciate the football ground to the rear of the home for when they grow too large for the confines of the back garden, or Dad has had enough of getting the heads knocked off his flower displays. And during the off season, when playing outside is too cold to be enjoyable and the garden has gone quiet for the winter, did I mention the log burners?