Bowdon, WA14

An outstanding Grade II Listed Victorian gentleman's residence of superb proportions nestling in beautifully maintained grounds of just over 1.5 acres. Oakley is an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic revival architecture sympathetic to its medieval origins. Standing on land originally acquired from Lord Stamford Oakley was commissioned by Henry Theodore Gaddum, a wealthy cotton and silk merchant of his time, and H T Gaddum's initials are still carved in the southerly elevation. Completed in 1869, the house sits under a hand finished Welsh slate roof, its sandstone elevations bear all the quintessential hallmarks of the skilled stonemasons of this period. Its faade, which reaches 30 metres in parts, is richly encrusted in leaf ornamentation, finials and animated gargoyles. The clock tower is surmounted with Tudor domes, whilst small busts of King Arthur and Guinevere adorn one of the rear doorways. In more recent years our clients have sympathetically and painstakingly updated and improved the property to create, without doubt, one of Bowdon's most important and finest properties, the likes of which are seldom seen in the market place today. Original features blend seamlessly with present day fixtures and fittings to create a wonderful family home. This unique property still retains many of its internal period features including high ceilings with sumptuous cornicing, 7'6" solid hardwood doors, deep skirting boards and oak flooring. The entrance hall features limestone flooring, folding arched glazed doors to the reception hall, again with limestone flooring, a sweeping staircase with hardwood balustrade and stairwell with boarded and glazed cathedral roof. The landing features open fretwork of quatrefoils and Gothic arches. The music room features a bay window with seating and a flamboyant panoramic scene by Zuber of Paris, originally produced in 1848, decorating the walls. The panels, produced by 2,300 hand blocks and 300 colours depict Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Jacqueline Kennedy installed a similar diorama by Zuber in The White House Diplomatic Reception Room. The music room leads through to the garden room, by Marston and Langinger, and on through double doors to the sunken garden with three-tiered water feature and pond. There are three further principal reception rooms but, without doubt, the focal point of family life is the well-equipped Jamie Robins kitchen, including numerous electrical appliances, a living dining area beyond which, in turn, provides a vital link to the leisure complex. To the first floor, the impressive master bedroom suite overlooks the south facing rear gardens and includes a large bedroom, dressing room and luxuriously appointed bathroom. The six remaining bedrooms on this floor are all in pairs and are served by three sumptuously appointed bathrooms. The second floor has, three attic bedrooms, a bathroom, dressing room and storage. Set at one end of the house over looking the stunning gardens and courtyard the leisure complex can be found with its generous pool, jacuzzi, seating area with games room, changing facilities and gymnasium above forming an amazing space. Set within the grounds are two completely self-contained cottages, the first of which being Chapel Cottage, ideal as a studio/home office with distinctive tracery windows and oak arched door. It overlooks the courtyard area to form a connection with the main house. This delightful studio cottage forms an ideal venue for overnight or more permanent guests. The Coach House is a more substantial property and is ideal as a dependant relative's accommodation, including a sitting dining kitchen, master bedroom and fitted dressing room/second bedroom with substantial bathroom. The gardens extend to just over 1.5 acres and include many mature shrubs, specimen trees, conifers and a large lawned rear garden, all of which enables a high degree of privacy and enjoys a splendid southerly aspect. Directly to the rear the substantial terrace leads directly from the living dining area to a large seating area complete with an outdoor kitchen, there is also an enclosed courtyard creating an ideal venue to relax with family and friends. The granite driveway to the front divides, leading to the enclosed cobbled courtyard and four car garage, or to the front, of the house where there is ample parking and turning space.