Thirty years within the same family’s arms, this beautiful six-bedroom home is now ready to welcome a new generation

Frances and Jon Mathias bought Golborne Old Hall, near Tattenhall, in 1991, but were unable to move into until April 1992.

‘When we bought the property it was a shell,’ Frances says. ‘We needed to have kitchens and bathrooms fitted and decoration throughout. It was in a very sad state, but it was clear to see what kind of home it could be for us, with our three children, who were very young at the time.’

It really is a glorious home, not least because Frances and Jon didn’t stand still when it came to the interior design, modernising and updating several times over their three decades of residence.

‘We went through the whole house several times over the years,’ Frances adds, ‘and replaced the kitchen and all the bathrooms in 2016, so it’s just ready and waiting for the new owners to move in.’

Everything is really quite stylish as it stands, with Frances and Jon’s décor simply serving to enhance the very beautiful bones of this 17th century building. It may date back to 1682, but the interior has been finished and decorated in a way wholly sensitive to the building’s age, serving to enhance the property’s original features without compromising on comfort or style.

Built with a warm brick, beneath a slate roof, the house has an impressive front façade with a Doric doorcase and inside features include the original 17th century oak staircase with decorative balusters, exposed ceiling and wall timbers, some mullioned and sash windows, and a variety of impressive fireplaces.

Perhaps the most exciting amendment to this ancient building, however, is the addition of a lovely indoor heated swimming pool, sauna and Jacuzzi, with a games room above, in what was once a traditional farm building.

‘This was the very last thing we did, when we first moved in,” Frances says. ‘With three children it has had a lot of use over the years; lots of family time and many birthday parties took place here. Now our children are all grown and have flown the nest, so it’s time for us to move on and pass this house on to the next family.’

With six bedrooms across two floors, a comfortable drawing room, a library and a sitting room perfectly set up for family movie nights, it’s a spacious home just waiting to welcome a new family, and it’s clear to see that family and friends have been a huge part of life at Golborne over the past three decades, with every room designed to provide space and comfort.

‘We have filled the house many times,’ Frances says. ‘Our annual Christmas party was a major event in the calendar, with over 100 guests each year – luckily there’s ample room for parking. We even held three weddings here, in the gardens and rear terrace.’

The grounds to front and rear are certainly impressive, but it is the views that must take centre stage here.

‘We can see right across to the Welsh hills from the front gardens,’ Frances says. ‘The sun starts on the rear of the house and moves around to the front – we get the most incredible sunsets over the hills. I shall certainly miss that pleasure. To the rear, we can see both Beeston and Peckforton castles, and Bolesworth too. It’s a wonderful view and quite unique, I think.’

As well as open lawns surrounding the house, In the north east corner of the garden (and so enjoying plenty of afternoon and evening sun) against a brick wall is a marvellous open-fronted and covered BBQ area, set on a flagged terrace and with a fireplace creating the perfect gatherings spot for summer evenings or winter nights.

Sitting on the edge of Tattenhall village, and just minutes from Tarporley, this property offers all the seclusion of a truly rural location, with all the amenities necessary to daily life just minutes away.

‘Tattenhall and Tarporley are just lovely,” Frances adds. ‘Tattenhall easily supplies any immediate needs, with a small shop and a post office, and a lovely pub, and Tarporley is a lovely place to spend time, with lots of independent shops and restaurants. Chester is only 12 minutes' drive away too, so we really have everything we could possibly need very close by – and all this space at home.

‘It really is a wonderful family home, and I shall miss all the space and the views, but it’s time to move on – life's an adventure, it’s said, and we’re ready for our next one.’

Golborne Old Hall is for sale for offers in excess of £2,500,000.

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