Big Fenton Farm - Whole

Big Fenton Farm comprises a dairy and livestock farm comprising a stone, timber farm and brick dwelling under a tiled roof which we understand is Grade II* listed. The property is in need of a comprehensive scheme of works and renovation. Together with the dwelling there is a range of traditional and modern farm buildings used principally for the housing of livestock, machinery and produce.
The land is principally laid to grass with some areas of woodland all of which extends to 172.6 acres or thereabouts.
Viewing highly recommended. Please also see the attached brochure.

History - Big Fenton Farmhouse is a Grade II* listed building constructed of part timber frame and is situated in the centre of Big Fenton Farm. The Farmhouse was first listed on 28th July 1950, approximately 72 years ago and the List Entry Number is 1106368.
The Farmhouse dates back to the early 16th Century, with original timbering and heavy oak doors with wooden latches found throughout. The dwelling has its own Chapel with Confessional Closet and it is recognised that Big Fenton Farmhouse is steeped in history. The true past of this once grand house we shall never know, but there are many legends and tales which have grown to surround the farmhouse over the centuries.
To the northern end of the ground floor there is a Confessional Closet, and above this on the first floor, there is a small chapel with inscriptions painted on the wall. Today the inscriptions are no longer legible, but the text on the walls are presumed to be of Low Church (Church of England) influences, who preferred more simple ceremonies. Further details of the chapel and its inscriptions can be found in the 'Lesser Chapels of Cheshire Part III' document by Raymond Richards.
Big Fenton Farmhouse is believed to have once been a recognised right of way to The Cloud, a prominent hill on the border between Cheshire and Staffordshire. Internally, the entrance hall gives front and rear access to the Farmhouse, otherwise known as the 'Passageway' which is said to be the old right of way. The novel by Beatrice Tunstall, written in 1939, called 'The Dark Lady', entails a story of the Fitton (Fytton) Family of Gawsworth, and is said to have used Big Fenton Farmhouse as part of its setting, where the dwelling is referred to as 'Silver Pit'. The 'Passageway' referenced by the authoress is similar to the one found in Big Fenton Farmhouse.

There have been connections presumed between Big Fenton Farmhouse and Mary Fitton of Gawsworth Hall. She was the daughter of Sir Edward Fitton of Gawsworth Hall and born in June 1578. At the age of approximately 17, Mary Fitton became a Maid of Honour to Queen Elizabeth I and was ordered, by her father, to be in the care of Sir William Knollys. However, he became infatuated with Mary which did not go unrecognised and was mocked in court by several members. Mary became mistress to several gentleman in her lifetime, one being William Herbet, later 3rd Earl of Pembrooke, and fell pregnant with a boy who later died after birth. They were both dismissed from Court by Queen Elizabeth I. Mary's mother was so appalled by her actions, she wished to hear no more of her daughter. The tale goes that she was not allowed back to Gawsworth Hall to be buried after living such a scandalous life, but rather at a nearby dwelling with a Chapel, which is believed to be Big Fenton Farmhouse. A burial mound, located in the rear garden, supposedly of Mary Fitton's, supports the tale.

Situation - Big Fenton Farm is situated in rural Cheshire countryside lying approximately 3.7 miles from Congleton and 6.9 miles from Biddulph.

Directions - From our Leek office, take the A523 towards Macclesfield, then turn right onto Leek Old Road. At the junction take another right-hand turn merging back onto the A523. At Bosley traffic lights, turn left onto the A54 Buxton Road. After approximately 2 miles, turn left onto Peover Lane, follow the road for approximately 0.5 miles and the property will be situated on the left down a private drive. The property can be identified by our For Sale' signs.

Lot One - THE FARMHOUSE, RANGE OF FARM BUILDINGS AND 7.24 ACRES OF LAND
FARMHOUSE

Big Fenton Farmhouse comprises a stone, timber frame and brick dwelling under a tiled roof which we understand is Grade II* listed. The property is in need of a comprehensive scheme of works and renovation.

Accommodation Comprises: - The dwelling house briefly comprises the following: -

Front Door

Passageway Leading To: - With stone flagged floor and rear entrance door off.

Kitchen - 5.99m x 5.41m (19'8" x 17'9") - With original open fireplace, separate Rayburn, cupboards, sink unit, tiled floor and staircase off.

Pantry - 1.63m x 5.11m (5'4" x 16'9") - With tiled floor

Utility - 3.07m x 3.25m (10'1" x 10'8") - With stillage and rear entrance door

Bathroom - 1.72m x 2.99m (5'8" x 9'10") - With bath, wash hand basin and low flush WC

Living Room - 5.11m x 6.0m (16'9" x 19'8") - With windows to two elevations, open fire place, exposed beams to ceiling and tiled floor

Inner Hall - With staircase off and door off to Cellar

Cellar - 5.72m x 4.00m (18'9" x 13'1") - Steps up to confessional box.

Confessional - 2.57m x 2.58m (8'5" x 8'6") - Confession Closet

Front Room - 4.52m x 4.87m (14'10" x 16'0") - With exposed wall beams, wooden floor

First Floor Landing - Oak Staircase leading to First Floor Landing with stairs to attic room (not inspected) and giving access to:-

Chapel - 1.98m x 4.0m (6'6" x 13'1") - With exposed beams to walls and ceiling

Bedroom One - 5.09m x 4.85m (16'8" x 15'11") - With exposed beams to walls and ceiling

Bedroom Two - 4.12m x 3.13m (13'6" x 10'3") -

Bedroom Three - 4.11m x 3.25m (13'6" x 10'8") - With fireplace

Bedroom Four - 4.36m x 4.23m (14'4" x 13'11") - With exposed beams to walls and ceiling

Cloakroom Off - With wash hand basin, low flush WC

Bedroom Five - 3.88m x 5.25m (12'9" x 17'3") -

Kitchen - Staircase leading down giving access to Kitchen

Farm Buildings - Together with the dwelling there is a range of traditional and modern farm buildings used principally for the housing of livestock, machinery and produce. They briefly comprise the following:

Farm Buildings One And Two - 1 - Brick and Tiled Workshop 5.52m x 13.46m - With loft over part, with small brick and sheeted lean to.

2 - Brick and Sheeted Building - Divided into stables/loose boxes in dilapidated order.

Farm Building Three In Sections - 3 Stone and Tiled Barn comprising of the following: -
Principle building in need of development.

Cart House 5.15m x 5.52m - With loft over comprising
Former Stable 6.64m x 5.53m
Former Corn Mill Shed 6.00m x 4.10m
Shippon for 8 7.94m x 5.54m Brick and tiled Lean To to the rear of stone barn 20.86m x 4.23m

Farm Building Four - 5.50m x 5.04m (18'1" x 16'6") - Brick and asbestos roof Milk Dairy - 5.50m x 5.04m with 2 bulk milk tanks

Farm Building Five - Range of dilapidated timber and sheeted buildings. Amounting to approximately 712.59m2 used for fodder and machinery storage.

Farm Building Six - Silage Pit - Open silage pit with concrete yard used for bale storage.

Land - The land is reasonably level in nature and is slightly undulated in areas and is considered to be capable of growing good crops of grass for either mowing or grazing purposes.

Services - We understand the property is connected to mains water and electricity with drainage being by private means.

Lot Two -

Farm Buildings And 165.90 Acres - Lot Two offers 165. 90 acres of grassland or thereabouts and a comprehensive range of farm buildings, including a mixture of traditional timber buildings and portal framed constructions principally used for livestock housing and machinery and produce stores.

Farm Buildings - Please note Numbers of Buildings as shown on the Building Plan are for reference purposes only.

Farm Buildings Seven To Nine - 7 - Portal frame Machinery Building 18.29m x 12.19m - Open sides with profile roof

8 - Earth wall Slurry Lagoon

9 - Above Ground Circular Slurry Tank

Farm Buildings Ten To Twelve - 10 - Block and asbestos Milking Parlour Building 11.70m x 4.65m - Housing a 10/20 Herringbone milking parlour

11 - Range of timbre framed Cow Kennels for 108

12 - Produce Store 15.15m x 22.86m
Constructed of concrete block and Yorkshire boarding, cement fibre roof and concrete floor, open fronted.

Land - The land principally lies to the north of the farmstead with a section of the land being on the far side of the canal. The land is reasonably level in nature although parts are slightly undulating. The land is considered to be in reasonably good heart and capable of growing good crops of grass for either mowing or grazing purposes. We understand that there are multiple bridges over the canal for access purposes.
Within the land, close to the northern boundary lies the following outbuilding:

Timber And Sheeted Outbuilding - With hardstanding area to the front.

Services - We understand that the property is connected to mains water and electricity with drainage being by private means. The land is also connected to a mains water supply.

Basic Payment Scheme - All the eligible land was registered for the Basic Payment Scheme and annual entitlements have been claimed. There entitlements will be transferred to the purchaser, subject to the rules of the Rural Payments Agency. The land is not entered into a stewardship scheme.

Local Authority - The local authority is Cheshire East Council, to whom any enquiries of a planning notice or other appropriate matter should be addressed.
We are not aware of any outstanding planning applications, planning consents or enforcement notices that affect the property, but should there be any we reserve the right to amend the valuation.

Thinking Of Moving - If you have a property you are thinking of selling or renting then please contact us for a free market appraisal and advice on the best way forward.
Contact our office on or email .

Tenure & Possession - The property is held freehold and vacant possession will be given upon completion.

Mapping - The plans provided in these particulars are indicative and for identification purposes only and interested parties should inspect the plans provided with the conditions of sale with regards to precise boundaries of the land.

Wayleaves & Easements - The property is sold subject to and with the benefits of all rights, including rights of way, whether public or private, light, support, drainage, water and electricity supplies and other rights and obligations, easements, quasi easements and restrictive covenants and all existing and proposed wayleaves for masts, pylons, stays, cables, drains and water, whether or not referred to in these stipulations, the particulars or special conditions of sale.

Please Note - The agent has not tested any apparatus, equipment, fixtures, fittings or services and cannot verify they are in working order or fit for their purpose, neither has the agent checked the legal documents to verify the freehold/leasehold status of the property. The buyer is advised to obtain verification from their Solicitor or Surveyor.

Viewings - By prior arrangement through Graham Watkins & Co. Please email: or telephone

Messres. Graham Watkins & Co. for themselves and for the vendor or lessor of this property whose agents they are, give notice that:
1.All statements do not constitute any part of, an offer of a contract;
2.All statements contained in these particulars as to this property are made without responsibility on the part of the Messrs. Graham Watkins & Co. or the vendor or lessor;
3.None of the statements contained in these particulars as to this property are to be relied on as statements or representations of fact;
4.Any intending purchaser must satisfy himself by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of each of the statement contained in these particulars;
5.The vendor or lessor does not make or give also Messrs. Graham Watkins & Co., nor any person in their employment has any authority to make or give, any representatives or warranty whatsoever in relation to this property.



Marketed by: Graham Watkins, Leek