Seller Insight

From the front, the house is very handsome, with superb kerb appeal,” say the current owners of 111 Station Road in Marple. “The attractive doorway, with its decorative sandstone pillars and archway, draws you in, then upon entry to the house you are greeted by a large hallway with Victorian tiled floor. Even this was enough to make me fall in love with the house, before I had even seen all the other lovely, characterful rooms. The house was built in 1897, and almost all of the original features have survived, from arches, covings and floors to stunning fireplaces and even the servant bells in the reception rooms and bedrooms. As I wander through the high-ceilinged rooms and see all this history, the house still makes me smile, even now.”

Since moving in, the owners have made various enhancements to this majestic period property. “We have done everything to keep the aesthetic integrity of the building, whilst making it more energy efficient and comfortable for contemporary life,” they say. “For example, we replaced the windows with bespoke hardwood double glazed units, and had the stained glass encapsulated in double glazing. The study was our main project, in what had originally been a tack room: we remodelled the floor plan to create more useful space, using reclaimed mahogany parquet flooring and real oak panelling to provide a luxurious place in which to work. We also had the full height cellar insulated – spanning the same floorprint as the house, it provides masses of storage and now ensures that the house is energy efficient. The coach house, currently a home gym, has ample storage, too.”

This is the ideal home for everyday life and entertaining alike. “Everyone tends to gather in the kitchen diner, a sociable space with Victorian cabinetry and a bespoke island built to match” the owners say. “For special occasions, the formal dining room makes a real impression on dinner party guests with its original coving and decorative fireplace; while the lounge is a cosy place to sit with a fire roaring on winter nights. The green tiled fireplace in this room even has fossils in the granite surround – yet another hint of history in the house.”

Outside, wraparound gardens provide and extension of the indoor living accommodation during the warmer months of the year. “The terrace to one side of the house gets the sun all day so is perfect for summer barbecues,” say the owners, “while the lower garden to the rear is semi-enclosed by stone walls and fencing to create a wonderfully secluded feeling. The whole plot is very private, being surrounded by trees and hedges, and looking over the memorial park to the front of the house. Electric gates and a cobbled driveway lead to a stone area by the coach house, so we have plenty of parking for guests.”

The local area has much to recommend it, too. “All amenities are within walking distance across the park outside the house,” the owners say, “including doctors, dentist, shops, library, train station, a primary school, and soon a new leisure complex with swimming pool, so there is no need to drive. Marple is a town with a village atmosphere – we have the best of both worlds here. Access to larger cities is easy, too, with trains from Marple direct to Manchester in 20 minutes, and Stockport to London in less than 2 hours. The new A555 road leads from just beyond Marple to Manchester airport, making international travel a breeze. Plus, the Peak District is right on our doorstep for beautiful walks – we can see the hills of Derbyshire from our back windows.”*

* These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent.

Below the home, and covering the full footprint of the house, is a cavernous basement with endless potential. It currently holds a utility / laundry room with an original feature stone sink and plumbing for two appliances as well as a workshop, wine cellar and storage rooms. However, the potential for this space is endless and could easily be incorporated into the house as additional reception rooms, bedrooms or workrooms.

Outside, the property continues to deliver. Formally the coach house, a separate annex now incorporates a garage with automatic door, a kitchenette and the former hay loft which is currently used as a gym. This unit could be used as is for a home office or converted to living accommodation to rent. The cobbled driveway provides plenty of parking and turning space and leads to the electrified gates set in a stone wall surrounding the property. Ideally located close to the towns two stations, the home is effortlessly commutable to Manchester and London. But if you don’t need to travel then you will find everything you need within walking distance. There are plenty of shops and businesses as well as excellent schools in the local neighbourhood. Memorial Park lies opposite the home which features a lovely children’s playpark, skatepark and bowling green. Also nearby is the Roman Lakes Leisure Park and the Marple Locks where a myriad of wildlife, including otters and kingfishers, can be spotted. And of course, Marple lies within the scenic Peak District where walking trails and outdoor attractions are abundant. This property is an ideal family home and a wise investment ready for the next chapter of history to unfold.

Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. Copyright © 2023 Fine & Country