Location

Foxbank Farm has provided the current owners with a family home full of character, ample space to enjoy and entertain. More broadly, the farm has provided the opportunity to manage and improve a important part of the landscape in the foothills of the Peak District. By blending agriculture and conservation the owners have substantially improved the ecological value of the farm, now blending a habitat for Britain’s flora and fauna alongside food production.
Foxbank Farm could, alongside this, enable a new owner to develop a more extensive principle home (such as by converting the stone buildings to additional accommodation or hosting spaces, subject to the necessary consents), pursue other rural interests, whilst enjoying living in a peaceful corner of Cheshire.

Set in the foothills of the Peak National Park and yet perfectly placed nearby to the market town of Macclesfield. The town is on the main West Coast line, with London Euston from 1 hr 47 mins and Manchester Piccadilly from 23 minutes.
In addition, Manchester Airport sits just 16 miles to the north. The area is popular for outdoor pursuits with golf courses, livery, cycling routes and lovely scenic walks. The farm also sits just below The Ryles Arms pub, providing traditional local hospitality within easy reach.

The market town of Macclesfield has all the main supermarkets, specialist shops and the amenities one would expect of a town of this size, excellent schools including Kings School Macclesfield (6 miles) and Beech Hall preparatory school (5 miles), with Terra Nova, Alderley Edge School for Girls and The Ryleys School within easy reach. Many of the principal private schools of south Manchester provide coach access from the town.

Description

Foxbank Farmhouse

At the heart of the farm is Foxbank Farmhouse, a beautiful detached stone property, which is Grade II listed. The house provides a modern kitchen diner, formal dining room, lounge and sitting room on the ground floor, along with a cloakroom. To the first floor are four bedrooms (including a master ensuite), one of which is currently used as a study. Surrounding the farmhouse is a carefully maintained formal garden, from which excellent views of the lower part of the farm can be enjoyed.

Annex & Outbuildings

Within the farmstead are two traditionally constructed stone outbuildings, in part of one sits an existing annex. The annex provides a kitchen-diner, two bedrooms and a shower room, providing ideal independent guest accommodation. The rest of the barns are currently used as ancillary storage, as well as containing a sauna to one end. The buildings provide practical utility space from which to care for the house and farm but could equally be converted to provide additional entertaining space or accommodation, subject to the necessary consents.

The Farm

Comprising some 98 acres, the farm can be thought of in three parts. The lower pasture, either side of the main drive and surrounding the farmhouse, provides the most productive grazing land, currently managed by sheep and could either be let or utilised in-hand as part of an agricultural or equestrian operation, for instance.

The highest land, and grazing in the South Western part of the farm, provides excellent accommodation land, interspersed with a number of traditional landscape features (such as stone walls and mature trees). Walking up to this part of the farm is the only way to fully appreciate the scope of the property, as well as providing outstanding panoramic views.
In the central and eastern part of the farm are a diverse mixture of habitats, from historical man-made features (including a significant historic quarry, with its servicing infrastructure still visible in places), to woodland and more recent improvements (including a series of ponds, fed by the river that runs through the property). This part of the property, alongside providing ample space for the owners to relax and enjoy, is shared with birds of prey, deer and newts to name a few. The current owners have worked closely with Cheshire Wildlife Trust to improve the habitat value of the farm, now a maturing and diverse conservation story.

Services

We understand that the property is connected to mains electricity, private drainage, benefits from a borehole water supply and is heated via heating oil. In addition there is a backup generator installed at the property. We have not tested any services and buyers should make their own enquiries.

Minerals, Sporting and Timber Rights

The mineral, sporting and timber rights, so far as they are owned are included in the sale.

Planning & Rights of Way

The farm is offered subject to any development plans, tree preservation orders, ancient orders, public rights of way, town planning schedules or resolutions and planning charges which may be or come into force. The purchaser will be deemed to have full knowledge of these and satisfies themselves as to the effects that such matters have on the property.
The selling agents draw the buyers attention to the public rights of marked on the sales plan.

Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) & Grant Schemes

There are no BPS entitlements included in the sale, the selling agents are not aware of any other grant schemes in force at the property.

VAT

In the event that the sale of the property, or part of it or any right attached to it, becomes chargeable for the purposes of VAT, such tax will be payable by the purchaser in addition to the consideration.

Easements, Covenants, Rights of Way and Restrictions

The farm is offered for sale subject to and with the benefit of all rights of way either public or private, all easements and wayleaves, whether specifically mentioned or not. There are public rights of way across the farm. For further information, please ask the selling agents.

Statutory Designations

Foxbank Farmhouse is Grade II listed.

Viewing and your Safety

All viewings must be arranged through the selling agents. In keeping with the nature of the property, we advise that all viewers bring sensible footwear and clothing to view the property. What3Words – Access is at: ///pilots.first.enter