Big Fenton Farm - Lot 2

Big Fenton Farm Lot Two:

Grassland extending 165.36 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.

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.

Lot Two -

Farm Buildings - Lot Two offers 165.36 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.

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.

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