A dreamy south Cheshire mansion with elegance, grace, land and superb stables
Penny Churchill looks at an elegant south Cheshire mansion which has come up for sale.


The well-heeled county of Cheshire is blessed with many extraordinary and unashamedly extravagant homes, not least the extraordinary Ollerton Grange, whose appearance on the market we recently covered. Many of those mega-mansions are in and around Alderley Edge, which has been hugely popular among the superstars of the two big Manchester football clubs; David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo are among those who once called the area home.
Life is altogether more restrained in dreamy south Cheshire, where Will Whittaker of Strutt & Parker’s farms and estates team is handling the sale of Ash House, plus its 186 acres of land.
Ash House is being sold at a guide price of £5.1m for the estate as a whole, or in up to four lots, with a guide price of £2.95m quoted for the main house, its gardens and grounds, separate office, stables and paddocks, some 20 acres in all.
Located three miles from Bunbury and five miles from Nantwich, the estate is being sold on behalf of the executors of the late Sir John Barlow, who died, aged 88, in December last year. A gentleman of the old school, Sir John had something in common with the aforementioned footballers: as well as a former High Sheriff of the county, he was a keen horseman, polo player and successful amateur jockey in his younger days. He was later a popular steward at Aintree and Cheltenham.
According to Mr Whittaker, Sir John bought Ash House as a working farm with a relatively modest farmhouse in 1970. It operated as a tenanted farm until 1996, when Sir John moved there to live and embarked on a major renovation of the house and gardens.
The result was the present handsome, 7,852sq ft country house with six bedrooms and four reception rooms set in beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds
There is a separate office, garages and outbuildings, stables and paddocks, a large range of farm buildings, a semi-detached three-bedroom cottage and three lots of arable and pasture land.
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Ash House is for sale at £5.1m for the estate as a whole, or in up to four lots, with a guide price of £2.95m quoted for the main house, gardens and grounds. See more pictures and details.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
Credit: Alex Reay / Jackson-Stops
A lavish Cheshire mansion for sale that mixes furnishings by the King's interior designer with unashamed bling
Few homes mix old and new with the chutzpah shown at Ollerton Grange, and it's hard not to be impressed
A Grade II-listed miniature castle fit for a princess, complete with tower rooms and roof terrace
Rachael Turner explores the wonderful character property in Cheshire.
The 'majestic' swathes of Cheshire and Yorkshire in line to become England's newest AONBs
England looks set to have two new Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, in Cheshire and Yorkshire. Carla Passino reports.
-
Six superb homes, from chocolate box cottages to grand Tudor mansions, as seen in Country Life
Our regular round-up includes charming home counties houses and superb grand country house in Ireland.
By Toby Keel Published
-
Rare species: Meet the young gardeners destined for greatness
Sam Finch is the youngest head gardener at the National Trust.
By Charles Quest-Ritson Published
-
Six superb homes, from chocolate box cottages to grand Tudor mansions, as seen in Country Life
Our regular round-up includes charming home counties houses and superb grand country house in Ireland.
By Toby Keel Published
-
A billionaire's thatched cottage is for sale in Surrey, once owned by the oil magnate J. Paul Getty
Chestnut Cottage is a joyous little home — albeit one with the most unusual bedrooms to acreage to price balances we've ever seen. Toby Keel takes a look inside.
By Toby Keel Published
-
Medieval Italian? 19th century French? 16th century German? You're spoilt for choice if you're looking to buy a gorgeous continental castle
From hills of Italy to a Bavarian palace, Toby Keel takes a look at three of the finest castles for sale across Europe today.
By Toby Keel Published
-
How to buy a house at auction
Buying at auction can mean you secure your dream property for a bargain price, but preparation is the key
By Annabel Dixon Last updated
-
The homes of two 1980s TV icons are both up for sale at the same time
The houses where Bob Monkhouse and Sir Terry Wogan spent decades of their lives are currently on the market. Annabel Dixon takes a look.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
Living on the edge? A lighthouse for sale on a clifftop on one of the most remote islands in Britain
Bressay Lighthouse was built by the father and uncle of the 'Treasure Island' author.
By Rosie Paterson Published
-
Alan Titchmarsh is selling his Hampshire home (and the garden that comes with it): Exclusive pictures and interview
After many happy years in Hampshire, the writer, broadcaster and national treasure Alan Titchmarsh is selling up and looking to move. He spoke to Penny Churchill about his years at Manor Farm House.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
A Lake District escape with views that will make you feel like the king of all you can see
Mellguards's many guest rooms and dual staircases make this property perfect for people who love to host, but tire of their guests quickly.
By Lotte Brundle Published