About this home
Property Details: - Type: Detached house - Bedrooms: 5 - Bathrooms: 3
Agent: Fine & Country - Derbyshire Phone: 01332 494726
There are houses at this price. And then there are opportunities.<br/><br/>Elmwood is the latter. A masterfully restored 1930s residence behind private electric gates on the edge of Eccleston Village. 3,033 sq ft of exceptional craftsmanship across the main house and a fully self-contained detached annexe, set on 0.35 acres of south-facing grounds. All of it overlooking the permanent green expanse of the Duke of Westminster's Eaton Estate, a view that will never be built out.<br/><br/>For a buyer who simply wants a magnificent family home rich in period features, Elmwood delivers without question. But for a buyer who also wants their money to work, this is rare. The detached annexe, finished to the same exacting standard as the main house, functions seamlessly as a luxury holiday let in one of England's most visited cathedral cities, a long-term rental, or a home for family that feels like a home rather than an afterthought. Reviewing Air BnB and Sykes Cottages at current Chester-area short-stay rates, a conservatively run holiday let of this calibre could potentially offer a considered return, a meaningful offset against ownership costs from day one.<br/><br/>The 0.35-acre plot warrants attention in its own right. Gated, private, and south-facing — land of this scale and quality, with countryside views, this close to Chester, at this price, does not come along often.<br/><br/>Behind the handsome red-brick façade, the restoration is the work of artisans rather than developers. Hand-rolled plaster ceilings with intricate bird's-beak detailing, crafted by an award-winning craftsman. Original herringbone parquet throughout. Restored cast-iron fireplaces in every principal room. A bespoke kitchen built around a four-oven Aga, framed by 18th-century botanical tiles sourced from Natural History Museum plates. Every room carries the quiet confidence of work done properly, by people who cared.<br/><br/>Chain free and ready to occupy. Elmwood does not need you to imagine what it could be, it already is.<br/><br/>The Main House<br/>Entrance & Ground Floor<br/><br/>A wide entrance hall sets the tone immediately: original herringbone parquet underfoot, high ceilings, and a generous cloakroom with coat and boot storage neatly integrated beneath the stairs. A dedicated utility room — plumbed for washing machine with dryer space — keeps the practical invisible.<br/><br/>Two reception rooms flank the hall, each with deep bay windows, hand-crafted fireplaces with log burners, and those remarkable curved plaster ceilings, period features rarely found at this level of preservation. Light pours in. The proportions feel generous without being cavernous.<br/><br/>The kitchen is the heart of the home, a bespoke country-house design built around a four-oven Aga, opening into a conservatory that draws the garden in and floods the space with natural light. On a clear day, the rural views across open countryside make this one of the finest spots in the house to simply sit.<br/><br/>First Floor<br/><br/>Upstairs, four bedrooms are arranged around a generous landing. The principal suite overlooks the Eaton Estate through a Juliet balcony, complete with a dressing room and a luxurious en suite bathroom, an oasis of calm with outstanding countryside views. A second generous double bedroom and two further bedrooms, one currently fitted as a handcrafted library, equally suited as a nursery or home office, served by an equally well-appointed family bathroom with en-suite quality finishes.<br/><br/>The Annexe — 1,308 sq ft | Detached | Fully Self-Contained<br/><br/>Discreetly positioned but fully independent, the detached annexe is architecturally cohesive with the main house and finished to the same exacting standard. Whether used for multi-generational living, as a holiday let, a long-term rental, or a professional home office and studio, it offers genuine flexibility without compromise.<br/><br/>On the ground floor: a private sitting room with log burner overlooking the rear garden, a well-equipped kitchen, a dedicated office and workspace, and a detached double garage with electric doors and ceramic-tiled floor — with adjoining side store. Above, a spacious en suite bedroom provides complete autonomy for guests, extended family, or tenants.<br/><br/>As a holiday let, the annexe represents a compelling income opportunity. Chester draws millions of visitors annually for its races, cathedral, Roman heritage, and the Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa is on the doorstep. Rental income from a well-presented annex or annexe of this specification in this location can realistically offset a significant portion of annual ownership costs.<br/><br/>The Gardens & Grounds<br/><br/>Approached through electric gates onto a sweeping private drive with parking for eight vehicles plus a detached double garage, Elmwood's south-facing grounds have been thoughtfully landscaped to follow the sun across the day. A Gabriel Ash greenhouse, a separate workshop ideal for hobbies or additional storage, and a summerhouse — perfect for evening drinks with those uninterrupted countryside views over the Eaton Estate — complete the picture. Seclusion and substance in equal measure.<br/><br/>Location<br/><br/>Eccleston sits in a semi-rural pocket of Cheshire that is increasingly difficult to find: genuinely peaceful, with walking access to the River Dee, the Grosvenor Garden Centre, and the Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa, yet with the connectivity of a city suburb.<br/><br/>Chester city centre is 3.5 miles. The King's School is 1.6 miles, The Queen's School 2.5 miles, and Chester Business Park under a mile. Mainline rail at Chester connects directly to Liverpool, Manchester, and London. The M53 and M56 are within moments.<br/><br/>Key distances include:<br/>The King’s School, Chester approx. 1.6 miles<br/>Queen;s School, Chester approx 2.5 miles<br/>Chester Business Park approx. 1 mile<br/>Chester city centre approx. 3.5 miles<br/>Mainline National Train Links from Chester City Center<br/>M53 & M56 is within moments, with routes to Manchester, Liverpool & North Wales<br/><br/>Local lifestyle highlights:<br/>Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa<br/>Grosvenor Garden Centre<br/>Eccleston Village & The Ferry Stage for riverside walks, rowing and open-water swimming<br/>The Eaton Estate and surrounding countryside<br/><br/>Elmwood is a home for those who value craftsmanship, privacy, and flexibility — offering two beautifully finished living spaces in one exceptional setting, moments from both city and countryside.<br/>Services, Utilities & Property Information: <br/>Utilities – Mains Electric and Water, Oil Central Heating, and Private Sewerage Plant<br/>Property Type – Detached Home<br/>Construction Type – Standard <br/>Council Tax – Cheshire West and Chester<br/>Mobile phone coverage - 4G and some 5G mobile signals available in the area - We advise you to check with your provider.<br/>Internet connection – FTTC available - We advise you to check with your provider. <br/>Parking – Garage Parking (2), Off-road Parking (8) <br/>Tenure: Freehold | Council Tax Band: F | EPC Rating: D