Cressbrook Hall

A fine Grade II listed Tudor style Hall set in approx. 15.56 acres of gardens, park and ancient woodland with wonderful views over the waters of Water-cum-Jolly and the dale beyond.

Distances (approximate): Ashford in the Water- 3 miles; Bakewell- 4 miles, Buxton (opera house)- 10 miles; Chesterfield (trains to London St Pancras from 1 hr 46 mins)- 17 miles; Sheffield- 19 miles; M1 (junction 29)- 21 miles; Manchester (international airport)- 40 miles.

DESCRIPTION

A wonderful Hall situated in an alpine like setting which has been used for many years as both a family home and wedding venue.

The property is approached by either the front or rear driveway leading to an area of parking for several vehicles.

Ground floor: the grand front door opens into an entrance hall which leads into the inner staircase hall with a large window at half landing level giving excellent light. To the left are the interconnecting drawing room and sitting room both with marble fireplaces and open grates and with spectacular views over the garden and down the valley. Steps from the inner hall lead down to a cloakroom with WC and door to the gardens. The dual aspect dining room also has a marble fireplace with open grate and wonderful views. The kitchen, to the front of the house has two large windows giving excellent natural light and has a range of units and a four oven oil fired Aga. Two archways lead to the breakfast room off which is the architecturally recognised Orangery which was restored in 2001 with two double French doors opening onto the gardens. Through the Orangery is a sitting room with steps up to a large conservatory with a recently refurbished bar and a large mezzanine gallery and function room. A doorway from the conservatory leads to a small lobby with stairs down to WC’s and onto a second doorway into a commercial kitchen. Off the kitchen a door leads into an inner lobby with WC and small office.

First floor: overlooking the gardens are two good bedroom suites, one with an en suite shower room, the other with a recently fitted bath/shower room which has retained an original roll top bath. To the rear is a bedroom and bathroom suite and a further ‘family suite’ comprising two bedrooms and a bath/shower room. The inner landing has a WC off and leads to a small eighth bedroom with adjacent cloakroom. This inner landing also leads to the function room and has a rear staircase to the ground floor.

Second floor: large double bedroom with en suite bathroom, further double bedroom and en suite bathroom, three large storage areas and tank room.

Lower ground floor: this is an extensive and flexible area extending to approx. 2,800 square feet with rooms including; workshop, laundry room, utility room, three WC’s, nine further rooms, bathroom, pellet store and boiler room with wood pellet boiler.

Garden Cottage comprising three bedrooms, shower room, shower/wet room, kitchen/living room.

Hall Cottage comprising sitting/dining room with open plan kitchen, three bedrooms and a bathroom.

Outside: gravel driveway with parking for a large number of cars. Formal gardens with stone balustrade and spectacular views over the valley, these have been beautifully planned with areas of lawn and borders planted with a wide variety of plants and shrubs consistent with the original garden plan. A stone doorway and steps lead down to a large area of garden which has been left to go somewhat wild and then to a further large lawned area ideal for football/sports and play area, The Nuns’ Steps lead to the river below. Adjacent to the front and rear drives are further areas of mown land interspersed with mature trees and woodland

FOR SALE- FREEHOLD

Guide price: £2,750,000 subject to contract

SERVICES

Mains water and electricity are all connected. Drainage is into a private system. Wood pellet biomass boiler for central heating.

FIXTURES AND FITTINGS

Fitted carpets, standard fixtures and fittings are included in the sale.

Any fixtures and fittings not mentioned in this brochure may be available by separate negotiation.

COUNCIL TAX: band H

POSTCODE: SK17 8SY

DIRECTIONS From Bakewell take the A6 towards Buxton, turn right onto the B6465 to Ashford in the Water and immediately left into the village, first right at the shop and follow the signposts for Monsal Head/Wardlow. At the Monsal Head Hotel turn left to Cressbrook, down the steep hill and along the valley floor, just after Cressbrook Mill, bear left up the hill. The lower drive will be found on the left hand side after approx. 300 yards however access is better through the main, upper drive which is another 100 yards on. From the A623, Manchester Road, turn onto Mires road and proceed to Litton, turn left onto Hall Lane and after 0.7 miles merge onto Bottom Hill Road follow for a further 1.2 miles and the driveway to the Hall will be found on the right hand side.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Caudwell & Co give notice that: These details have been prepared in good faith however they are not intended to constitute part of an offer of contract and should be used as a guide only. Any information contained herein whether in the text, plans or photographs should not be relied upon as being a statement or representation of fact. No person in Caudwell & Co has any authority to make or give representation or warranty on any property. Any measurement or distance referred to herein is approximate only.

VIEWING

All viewing is to be strictly by appointment with Caudwell & Co on 01629 810018 or 07766 565893

Accommodation

Main House: entrance hall, inner staircase hall, drawing room, sitting room, dining room, orangery, further sitting room/garden room, conservatory, kitchen and breakfast room, commercial kitchen, office, cloakroom, function room, five bedroom suites, family suite with two bedrooms and bathroom, bedroom eight, three WC’s, extensive cellar rooms, two cottages.

Amenities

Upper and lower driveways, gravelled parking areas, formal gardens, further extensive gardens/parkland and ancient woodland.

Situation

Cressbrook Hall is in a unique setting with an Alpine feel overlooking a deep limestone gorge created by the River Wye. It is within a short drive of the very pretty village of Ashford in the Water with its local shop, two public houses, renowned boutique hotel, village hall and games field. The market town of Bakewell and spa town of Buxton are both within easy reach with their more extensive range of shopping, recreational and transport facilities including trains from Buxton to Manchester. Schooling nearby includes primary schools at Litton and Great Longstone, secondary schooling at Lady Manners in Bakewell and private schools including S Anselms in Bakewell, Repton, Sheffield Girls' and Westbourne School for Boys and Girls

Cressbrook is in the heart of the Peak District National Park yet the Hall retains a sense of seclusion and privacy on account of its unique setting tucked in the trees high on the valley side. It is perfectly placed for and easy access to a wide range of outdoor pursuits including walking, climbing, riding, cycling, gliding, sailplaning, paragliding and fishing. There are many places of historical interest and note nearby including Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall, the historic spa town of Buxton with its recently renovated Grade I listed Crescent.

Historical Note

Cressbrook Hall was designed by the ecclesiastical architect Thomas Johnson of Lichfield and built in 1835 for the Cressbrook Mill owner, Henry McConnel of Manchester, it is a fine example of a William IV house in the grand Tudor style.

The formal terraced gardens were designed and created by Edward Kemp who trained under Joseph Paxton at nearby Chatsworth House. Our clients are in possession of a copy of Kemp’s original planting plan and in 1995 they embarked on an ambitious restoration programme to restore the gardens to their former glory.

The Hall remained in the McConnell family until 1908. During the First World War it was occupied by a local MP and later during the period 1939-1945, was rented by Columbia Pictures who moved their administration from Wardour Street. After a period of remaining uninhabited Cressbrook Hall became a convent until the railway line between Bakewell and Buxton closed in 1968. After this Cressbrook Hall then moved back into private ownership, eventually becoming the home of our clients in 1979.

Over the past 42 years the property has been a much loved family home and base for a vibrant, thriving business providing self-contained accommodation in cottages on the estate, bed and breakfast in the Hall itself and hosting wedding celebrations and corporate events.