Pheasant Walk, High Legh, Cheshire

An ingenious incarnation of mid-century design, this five-bedroom house by architects Material Studio occupies a quiet, leafy location on the fringes of High Legh, Cheshire. Comprehensively reconfigured, a series of bright and immaculately executed living spaces are at once sensitive to their 1960s origins yet decidedly contemporary, designed with easy, open living in mind. Outside, a private wraparound garden is made up of bountiful beds, lawns and peaceful dining spots. Warrington, with rail connections to London Euston in around one-and-three-quarter-hours, is around seven miles away, while Manchester lies 12 miles north-east.



The Tour



Set back from Pheasant Walk, the house is accessed via a cobbled driveway, flanked by rose beds, a section of lawn and bordering hedges. There is off-street parking in front for several cars.



The approaching elevation reveals to the building's origins while projecting creative modern detailing and a contemporary material palette. Planes of buff brickwork and cream render, swaddled in climbing ivy, meld with recently added vertical boards and swathes of glazing.



A protective canopy, formed by the cantilevering first floor, projects over the recessed main entrance. A burnt-orange door, bounded by a tall, glazed panel, opens to reveal a capacious L-shaped hall, with plenty of storage for everyday items. A modern flourish, cork flooring runs underfoot.



The ensuing interconnected interior spaces are playful and welcoming, illuminated by a beautiful quality of natural light that floods through doors and windows. Flexibly designed, the plan lends itself to varied configurations. The large primary living space occupies the entire south-west corner of the plan and takes a predominantly open layout. Wonderfully social, it blends seamlessly into the garden via a bifold screen adjacent to the dining space.



The main space to gather, sit and relax is set at a slightly lower level. The authentically brown tones are reinforced by beautifully restored five-fingered parquet flooring and impressively pristine birch ceiling boards. An original fare-faced brick chimneypiece provides a natural but unobstructive focal point.



To the left is the affable and relaxed kitchen and dining area. Generous runs of teak-edged cabinetry, worktops and a large central island have been crafted by local designers Edge CNC in a 1960s style, complimented by an array of Louis Poulsen lights. Throughout, the detailing is simple, diverting attention through the numerous openings towards the outdoors.



A pair of studies open directly from the hall. Each offer a quiet retreat and leafy outlook and would work equally well as additional bedrooms. Tucked alongside is a utility room/boot room, with storage units and a glazed side door to the garden. A WC, replete with colourful and geometrically patterned popham design tiles, completes the ground-floor layout.



A large rooflight overhead, drawing in plenty of natural light, sits above the hallway where an arresting refurbished staircase with open-fronted treads and a jigsaw of horizontal and vertical balustrading, ascends to the first-floor landing. From here, four bedrooms extend, each with a distinct but similarly serene character.



The well-proportioned principal suite is bathed in natural light from a pair of west-facing windows. It has a large en suite shower room replete with spirited popham design tiling.



The three remaining bedrooms are also beautifully considered, aptly simple and unadorned. They share an immaculate bathroom with a bathtub, a large walk-in shower and brass fittings.



Outdoor Space



The house sits centrally on its plot, within an attractively landscaped garden that receives light throughout the day. Closest to the house is an expansive paved terrace that extends from the kitchen and hall - an atmospheric and convenient spot for outdoor dining and hosting.



Lovingly planted beds are filled with fragrant roses, flowering shrubs and swathes of purple catmint. Mature trees and neatly trimmed high hedges offer shady spots to read on dry days. Grassy lawned areas, perfect for kicking a ball or setting up a trampoline, wrap the house.



There is an en bloc outdoor storage area, to the right-hand side of the main entrance, handy for bikes and garden equipment and an electric vehicle charge point.



The Area



High Legh is a picturesque village in the heart of Cheshire. The area is surrounded by agricultural farmland and green expanses, and the village has a strong community spirit. There is a local shop in nearby Broomedge, a lively village hall and a primary school, as well as tennis, cricket, and golf clubs. For provisions, there is a Marks and Spencer Simply Food and a Sainsbury’s in nearby Lymm, which also has a post office, a doctor’s surgery and a secondary school.



Several excellent farm shops offering local produce can be found in the area, including Abbey Leys Farm, which has a monthly farmers’ market, and Waugh Brow Farm Shop and café. Options for dining out abound, including the highly regarded La Boheme restaurant, which is just an eight-minute drive away. 17th-century country pub The Bear's Paw is another local favourite within walking distance of the house.



National Trust-maintained Tatton Park is less than a 10-minute drive away, and encompasses a neo-classical mansion, a medieval hall, landscaped gardens and 1,000 acres of deer park. The estates of Dunham Massey and Arley Hall are also close by.



Manchester, with its dynamic arts and cultural scene, is approximately a 35-minute drive from the house. Local highlights include Mackie Mayor, a vibrant food hall situated in a Grade II-listed market building, Foundation Coffee House, the Manchester Craft and Design Centre and the Whitworth Art Gallery.



There are plenty of excellent schooling options in the area, including High Legh Primary School, just a few minutes’ walk from the house, and Lymm High School. Bowdon Church School is also highly regarded, as are Loreto and Sale grammar schools.



The area is well-connected, and close to both the M56 and the M6. Manchester airport is a 13-minute drive away, and Warrington and Liverpool are also within easy driving distance. Warrington rail station is approximately 7 miles away and offers services to London Euston in around one-and-three-quarter-hours.



Council Tax Band: G