Willaston Road, Thornton Hough, CH63

A remarkable Grade II Listed country estate of exceptional character, set within approximately 22 acres of private grounds in one of the Wirral’s most sought after locations.

A HOME OF DISTINCTION, HISTORY AND RARE PRESENCE

There are homes that impress through sheer scale, and then there are homes that leave a lasting impression through something far more difficult to create; atmosphere, provenance and soul.

Hidden discreetly within approximately 22 acres of beautifully arranged grounds and approached via a sweeping, private driveway through rolling paddocks, Stanacres is a truly remarkable Neo-Gothic manor house of exceptional architectural significance. Built between 1849 and 1851 for Anglesey timber merchant Owen Jones and designed by celebrated architect Charles Verelst, this substantial Grade II Listed residence extends to almost 8,000 sq ft and represents a rare opportunity to acquire a home where history, lifestyle and modern family living sit in complete harmony.

Beyond its striking façade and architectural detailing lies a home that has evolved through generations, one that has welcomed merchants, ship owners and notable residents through its doors and played host to remarkable moments over almost two centuries.

Today, Stanacres remains every inch the grand country residence it was intended to be, while providing the warmth, flexibility and practicality demanded by contemporary life.

A MAGNIFICENT ARRIVAL

The journey to Stanacres is an experience in itself.

A long private drive winds gracefully through approximately eleven acres of front paddocks where horses graze peacefully and wildlife regularly appears along the route including hares, pheasants, ducks, geese and buzzards among them. Anticipation builds until the house finally reveals itself amongst its mature landscape. Arriving home here feels entirely removed from everyday life. The sense of privacy is extraordinary, yet despite this seclusion, Thornton Hough village and excellent transport links remain only moments away.

ARCHITECTURE DESIGNED TO INSPIRE

Stepping through the impressive entrance immediately reveals the craftsmanship and detail that define Stanacres. The scale is captivating. Soaring ceilings, intricate detailing, remarkable proportions and beautifully preserved original features create an immediate sense of grandeur. The stencilled emblem of the Port of Liverpool coat of arms above the staircase remain as a subtle reminder of the home’s fascinating origins and its connection to Liverpool’s maritime heritage.

Throughout the house, period character has been thoughtfully preserved and enhanced through extensive restoration works undertaken by the current owners, ensuring that the property’s heritage remains intact while allowing it to function effortlessly as a modern, family home.

ELEGANT SPACES FOR LIVING AND ENTERTAINING

Stanacres was clearly designed as a house for entertaining and celebration. The principal reception rooms are exceptional in both scale and atmosphere. The formal drawing room is particularly breathtaking, with parquet flooring, a marble fireplace and magnificent French doors opening directly onto the gardens. In warmer months the outside landscape appears to spill effortlessly indoors, while in winter the open fire creates a wonderfully intimate atmosphere. The sitting room offers a more relaxed setting with a log burner and stunning full height windows framing uninterrupted views across the lawns and lake beyond. The formal dining room provides perhaps the greatest sense of occasion of all. Beneath an extraordinary ceiling, this is a room that feels destined for celebrations, family gatherings and unforgettable dinner parties.

THE HEART OF THE HOME

The kitchen retains a wonderful sense of authenticity and proportion. At its centre sits the traditional AGA, surrounded by bespoke cabinetry and generous preparation space, creating a room perfectly suited to both family life and larger scale entertaining. Overlooking the courtyard and former stables beyond, the space offers exciting future potential should a purchaser wish to further evolve or enlarge the kitchen arrangement.

A separate utility and preparation room further enhances practicality and supports the seamless flow expected of a home of this calibre.

ACCOMMODATION OF REMARKABLE SCALE AND FLEXIBILITY

Across the upper floors, Stanacres continues to impress. The principal suite is exceptional, featuring a luxurious ensuite with underfloor heating, twin basins, a rolltop bath and spectacular views stretching across the estate.

In total there are eight generous double bedrooms, six benefiting from ensuite facilities, along with dressing rooms and additional flexible accommodation spaces.

Original fireplaces, elevated views and architectural detailing continue throughout.

The upper floor provides enormous versatility and could easily accommodate guest suites, independent living arrangements, home offices, creative studios and an extensive range of family requirements.

EXTRAORDINARY POTENTIAL BELOW

Beneath the house lies a remarkable lower ground floor spanning almost the full footprint of the property. Historically used as workshops, wine stores, offices, game larders, an original ice room and storage areas, this vast space presents an exceptional opportunity for future owners.

A private wellness suite, gymnasium, cinema room, contemporary wine cellar or further leisure facilities could all be incorporated while complementing the home’s historic fabric.

LANDSCAPED GROUNDS OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE

The gardens and grounds at Stanacres are every bit as remarkable as the house itself. Designed by renowned landscape architect Edward Kemp, whose work on Birkenhead Park famously influenced the design of New York’s Central Park, the grounds themselves form part of the property’s extraordinary story.

Extending to approximately twenty two acres overall, the estate includes approximately five acres of formal gardens surrounding the house and a magnificent private 1.5 acre lake. Paddocks and grazing complete the grounds and a stone gazebo and entertaining area, former stables and outbuilding are the perfect compliment.

The grounds have become a natural sanctuary rich with wildlife. Spring in particular transforms the estate into something almost magical. Rhododendrons burst into colour, ducklings and goslings arrive on the lake, owlets emerge among the trees and the landscape awakens with extraordinary life.

For equestrian buyers particularly, the neighbouring Olympic standard facilities create an exceptionally compelling lifestyle opportunity. Equally, the land offers scope for a variety of country pursuits and leisure interests.

A VILLAGE LIFESTYLE THAT IS DIFFICULT TO REPLICATE

Thornton Hough remains one of The Wirral’s most desirable villages and has retained the quintessential character that makes it so sought after. Picture postcard cottages, excellent pubs, highly regarded schooling and wonderful countryside walks create an exceptional lifestyle environment. The award winning spa and dining facilities at Thornton Hall Hotel sit nearby, alongside restaurants, cafés, golf facilities, equestrian amenities and the renowned village community itself.

Despite the wonderfully rural feel, excellent connectivity places Liverpool, Chester, Manchester, North Wales and the motorway network all within convenient reach.

A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME PART OF ITS STORY

Stanacres is far more than a substantial country house. It is a home that has hosted remarkable lives and extraordinary memories; from merchants and polo players to private performances by world renowned musicians. Yet despite nearly two centuries of history, there remains an unmistakable sense that the story here is still unfolding. For its next custodians, the opportunity is not simply to acquire a magnificent residence but to become part of its legacy.

VENDOR INSIGHT – STANACRES

When did you first find this home, what first drew you to it, and what was it that instantly captured your heart?

“Having lived in suburban properties all of our lives, even though we had a lovely 5 bedroom Victorian property in half an acre, we were looking for something “different”. When we saw Stanacres with its striking Gothic architecture, grand rooms with intricate detailing and its own lake all in a rural setting but just a few miles away, we knew we’d found something special.”

Following those first impressions, how has your connection deepened over time, things like the architecture, the setting, the atmosphere and experiences all play a part?

“Over time you get used to the impressive, high ceilings and huge doors and windows, the expansive lawns, the lake and the seclusion of being nestled in the countryside. You just come to think of it as home. It’s only when you have visitors that you are reminded how special the property is and how privileged you are to live there.”

How would you describe the feeling of arriving home, whether at the end of a busy day, after a weekend trip or simply just a few hours away? 

“Arriving home after any trip you always have the anticipation of seeing what wildlife you can spot on the fields down the drive. Regulars include hares, rabbits, the occasional stoat or weasel, geese with goslings and ducks with ducklings in Spring, the resident heron, pheasants, partridge and buzzards. By the time you reach the house there are usually some horses observing you break their tranquillity as you arrive home and have a sense of pride and awe that you actually live here.”

Tell us a little about the home’s history. Have you made any changes or additions that you feel have enhanced its character or functionality?

“Stanacres was built between 1849-1851 for an Anglesey timber merchant Owen Jones who shipped timber into Liverpool hence the coat of arms of the Port of Liverpool stencilled on the main staircase. The architect was Charles Verelst (formerly Reed) who was the Chair of the Liverpool branch of RIBA at the time. The gardens were laid out by Edward Kemp, author of “How to lay out a garden”, who had been instrumental in laying out Birkenhead Park which was a new concept at that time and was the basis for the design of Central Park in New York. Since then, Stanacres is shown to have had many notable residents including ship owners, wine merchants and seed merchants many of whom had an extensive staff of gardeners, grooms, butlers, footmen, maids, cooks, nurses, coachmen and stockmen. Stanacres also featured in Pevsner & Hubbard’s Cheshire Volume of The Buildings of England. The work undertaken during our time at Stanacres has been to help bring it back to its impressive best.”

Is there a particular feature or detail that holds special meaning for you?

“One specific feature that holds great memories for us is the stone gazebo as part of the walled garden overlooking the lawn and lake. During the Covid lockdowns of early 2020 we spent a lot of time as a family there when the weather was not quite warm enough to sit out of the protection from the south westerly breeze that the gazebo must have been built to shelter occupants from. We had so many memorable times that upon reflection now, we didn’t feel confined at all.”

Which spaces do you find yourself gravitating to most, and why?

“One place in the house that gets very good use is to sit at the full height windows in the rear lounge overlooking the lawn and lake. It’s like having your own nature reserve right there in front of you. We have seen wildlife right close up that we have only ever seen on TV before.”

How does your home make day to day living feel special? Whether it’s morning light in the kitchen, cosy evenings by the fire, or garden views that never get old?

“With fantastic country views from (nearly) all elevations of the house you feel so much more connected with the weather and the seasons. The large windows allow the sunshine to stream in and warm you, but in the colder months it’s cosy and warm in front of the open fire or log burner. The views over the lawns and the lake and the fields out front change with every season but some of the best views are from the rear of the house where on a clear day you can see over to Moel Famau in the Welsh Hills.”

What time of year does the property feel most magical, and why?

“As we transition from cold wet and dark winter into the warmth and brightness of spring, the grounds of Stanacres transform into a green and flowering, somewhat enchanting garden. The leaves sprout on the trees, the Rhododendrons burst into flower and before you know it there’s ducklings and baby moorhens on the lake, goslings on the field, fledgling owlets fluttering over the lawn, herons nesting on one of the islands, woodpecker chicks chirping for food from the nest in the chestnut tree and many more species of birds nesting than I would care to try and name. The farm and equestrian neighbours help the feel of rejuvenation with lambs and foals in the fields and paddock most years too.”

For families, what do you feel makes this such a wonderful place to raise children?

“Having brought our three sons to Stanacres when they were around the end-of-primary to start-of-secondary school ages we’ve seen how the property can prove a great play ground at all ages. As younger children they and their friends would have a great time exploring the grounds and the house itself or boating on the lake (sometimes also in the lake) with supervision. As young teens it’s ideal for indoor or outdoor “sit-offs”, playing end-to-end football on the lawn or razzing a dirt bike or motor buggy up and down the fields. As older teens they found enjoyment having somewhere to invite friends from school or the rugby club and give the smoke detectors a good try out. One year they had a festival on the fields where about 40 of them camped and barbequed into the night all out of earshot of us. There must have been over 20 hatchbacks along the drive. Along with many New Years Eve parties we’ve hosted a parent’s 80th on the lawn and a 25th wedding anniversary party with marquees, DJ and an Abba tribute act in the garden. The stone gazebo also makes a great bar by the way. In summary Stanacres makes a wonderful family home not only for special events but for day to day family living. Everyone has enough of their own space but it still feels like a family home.”

How would you describe the local community and the lifestyle on offer?

“We’ve found the local community most welcoming and have made many friendships that have endured and will last long into the future. As well as friendships forged at the school gates with many other parents there are also other places to get to know people including the local 17th century thatched pub and the equidistant rugby club (along with Stanacres known in our house as the “magic triangle”). You will meet people there from all walks of life and in our experience you can easily be asked to join a golf society, shooting club, squash club, lunch club, walking group or just go for coffee and a chat at one of the local cafes.”

Are there favourite local spots, cafés, pubs, restaurants, walks, hidden gems etc that really capture the spirit of living here?

“Very close by there are three pubs (all of which serve a great Sunday roast), a couple of cafes, a hotel with gym, wellness and beauty, various restaurants, a livery and equestrian centre, two shoots, numerous walks across countryside that it’s hard to believe is so close to suburbia and easy access to many bars and restaurants in Heswall or Parkgate.”

What do you think the next owners will fall in love with most?

“The next owners are likely to have an historic interest (if the walls of Stanacres could talk there must be so many stories to tell), perhaps an appreciation of architecture, an enjoyment of the seclusion and wildlife, maybe an interest in equestrian or country pursuits or maybe just the fact that it’s definitely different and special.”

Who do you imagine would feel most at home here?

“Stanacres will appeal to people for a range of possible reasons but at the end of the day it makes a fabulous family home.”

As you prepare to move on, what will you miss most and what will you take with you in your memories?

“One of the things we will miss most is stepping outside the front door and seeing no other houses, only countryside. That said, as our sons (supposedly) reach adulthood and move away, it is time for us to move on from a special place that has been part of a wonderful phase in our lives and allow Stanacres to give to someone else what it has given to us.”

Additional Information 

Services: Mains electricity and water. Private drainage (Shared septic tank). Oil heating.

Council Tax: Band H.

Local Authority: Wirral.

Tenure: Freehold.  

Broadband: (Information taken from checker.ofcom.org.uk)  
Standard – 12 Mpbs (highest available download speed) – 1 Mpbs (highest available upload speed)  

Mobile coverage: Good outdoor (Information taken from checker.ofcom.org.uk)  

We always recommend you contact your supplier to discuss the availability of broadband and mobile coverage at this property.  

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