Location

Church Leigh is an attractive village with the handsome and prominent Church of All Saints, believed to date back to Saxon times. According to Pevsner, the church is a masterpiece of an architect called Thomas Johnson of Lichfield, he left something of the old tower and rebuilt the rest in 1846. The church was paid for by the Bagots of Blithfield, and they spent enough to make the church absurdly large for its village.

The church can be seen from the back of The Old Rectory, with a wooded walk named 'The Monks Walk' leading to the church itself. The village provides access to some wonderful parts of Staffordshire including The Roaches which is superb for walking, Castle Ring ancient site and Wall Roman site.

Uttoxeter town has a well regarded racecourse on the outskirts, along with a golf course, recreation ground and leisure centre. The railway station serves the Crewe-Derby line, with further access to communication links via the A50 which runs between Stoke-on-Trent and Derby. The area is well placed for visiting Alton Towers, the JCB Factory and Trentham Gardens.

Denstone College is about eight miles away and is a well renowned independent boarding and day school. Further schools in the area include Thomas Alleyne's High School Uttoxeter and All Saints C of E primary school, Church Leigh.

Description

Approached via a gravelled, gated driveway bordered with mature Yew and Holly hedges, The Old Rectory is a handsome and prominent house standing in it's own grounds situated on the edge of the village. The house was built in the early18th century and remodelled in the mid 19th century. It is a Grade II listed former rectory, with a number of original features including working shutters, mullioned windows, high moulded ceilings and period fireplaces. The house has been remodelled over the last few years, including the addition of the orangery, replacement of all oak sash windows and a large detached double garage.

The original front door opens into a porch with an inner door leading into the sophisticated panelled entrance hall, with oak floorboards and two decorative archways, offering a feeling of space. The house offers in plenty of natural light and has a wonderful feel of a family home.

The formal drawing room feels very elegant, with mullion bay windows, original panelling and cornicing, French doors leading outside and a gas fire place with a wood surround. This room has wonderful views over the gardens. There is a formal dining room with shuttered sash windows and an open fireplace, and a separate sitting room/office with inset book cases, mullioned bay window, panelled walls and a fireplace.

The living kitchen is a fantastic room offering plenty of workspace with a large central island, bespoke fitted wall and base units, granite worktops and a four oven AGA with a separate integrated Siemens oven, dishwasher, double Belfast sinks and a wine cooler. There is a pantry off with shelving and double Belfast sink, plus a separate utility room with fitted white goods, a double Belfast sink and a door leading outside onto the decking area. Bi-folding doors provide access into the fabulous orangery which floods the kitchen with natural light and also serves as a wonderful entertaining space. This room has underfloor heating and there are two sets of French doors opening onto the terrace and gardens.

The grand staircase rises from the entrance hall to the first floor landing which offers plenty of space. Off which is the principal suite with a period feature fireplace, a dressing area and a luxurious ensuite bathroom. There are a further three double bedrooms, one of which has an ensuite shower room and a family bathroom. The second floor offers further living space with two double bedrooms, a sitting room, dressing room/gym and a bathroom. This space could potentially be used as flexible self contained living accommodation or a guest suite.

Gardens and grounds

The mature gardens are flanked by mature trees and hedging offering a shelter belt and privacy. A dry moat wraps around the house on two sides with stepped lawns bordered by a beech hedge. The stone terrace provides a wonderful space for al fresco dining which continues around the side of the house to a decking area, where there is an eight person spa pool and a seating area.

The large formal walled garden is predominantly laid to lawn with a raised terrace to one side, providing seclusion and privacy. A gravel path leads over a pretty moat bridge to a wisteria and rose arbour walkway, through to a wooded trail leading to a pedestrian gate to the paddocks, which are post and rail fenced with a field shelter and water connected.

The traditional outbuildings are situated immediately to the back of the house, including two stalls and a garden/log store set within an enclosed courtyard. The large double garage is situated on the main drive to the side of the house and is a recent addition, fully insulated, with heating, electricity and a room above.

Directions

From the A50 at Uttoxeter take the A522 Cheadle road passing through Beamhurst before turning left at Fole signposted Withington and Church Leigh. Continue under the A50 and at the crossroads turn right and take the left at the next T-junction into the village of Church Leigh. Turn right at the junction and The Old Rectory is on the left hand side with a gated entrance.