Horton, Leek
£1,250,000

Horton Vicarage is a stunning Georgian family home, lovingly restored to blend its original period features with modern touches. Built in 1753 by Josiah Wedgwood, for is son John Wedgwood, of the famous pottery family, this historic property boasts beautiful views and includes an extensive home office above the garage. The Vicarage, with its connections to Stoke-on-Trent’s renowned ceramics industry, exudes character and history.

Approaching the property, stone steps lead to the original front door and into a charming porch with a quarry-tiled floor. Beyond, a leaded door opens into a welcoming entrance hall featuring attractive parquet flooring, which extends into the drawing room. The hall also includes a cloakroom with a WC and houses the traditional Georgian staircase with panelling, leading to the first floor.  

The impressive 21’2" drawing room is located in the Victorian section of the house, offering ornate cornicing, three handsome west-facing mullion windows, and a coal fire with a marble and wood surround. This light-filled space provides far-reaching views. The delightful sitting room at the front of the property has a dual aspect, original windows with working shutters, bespoke window seating, cornicing, and an open fireplace. The formal dining room, located off the hallway, features traditional windows, working shutters, deep skirting boards, and an open fireplace with a marble and wood surround. This room flows into another hallway with Karndean flooring, connecting to the snug and kitchen area. A fully fitted utility room with a quarry-tiled floor is also located nearby, offering space for laundry appliances.  

The highlight of the ground floor is the expansive kitchen/dining area, designed by George Frederick Cabinet Makers of Leek. This space, featuring bespoke cabinetry, quartz countertops, a Lamona double oven, hob, and induction cooktop, is perfect for entertaining. Natural light floods the room through an atrium, and Velux windows, while sliding doors open onto a lovely patio. The adjoining snug offers a cosy spot for relaxation. The ground floor also includes an additional WC and access to the integral stone-built garage, which now connects to the house and offers access to the home office above. A charming barrel-vaulted cellar, accessible from the entrance hall, includes a wine cellar and two additional rooms.  

The bedrooms are spread across two floors. The first-floor principal suite boasts restored windows, triple wardrobes with mirrored fronts, two window seats, and a contemporary en-suite featuring a freestanding bath and a walk-in power shower. Three more double bedrooms with fitted wardrobes or cupboards and a family bathroom are also on this floor. On the second floor, two spacious double bedrooms each have walk-in wardrobes and en-suite shower rooms. A storage cupboard is also located on the landing.  

Externally, Horton Vicarage is set within a generous plot, surrounded by beautiful wrap-around gardens enclosed by dry stone walls. The home office above the double garage can be accessed from the house or the garage and features wood-panelled walls, a large boardroom (formerly the Sunday school room) with exposed timbers and stone walls, an inglenook-style fireplace with a wood burner, and a storage room. With fibre broadband and modern amenities, this space could be converted into an annexe or holiday let, subject to the necessary permissions.  

The property’s exterior is equally charming, with two lawn areas, mature trees, and well-stocked borders at the front. A gravel path encircles the house, leading to a raised garden with vibrant flowerbeds and a sun terrace shaded by a mature Scots pine. A large terrace below offers an ideal spot for alfresco dining.  

Location:

Situated along a quiet lane, Horton Vicarage occupies an elevated position overlooking a scenic valley in the historic village of Horton. The peaceful location is close to the well provided town of Leek which offers excellent amenities, including shops, bars, and restaurants. Horton is in a conservation area on the edge of the Peak District, known for its stunning countryside, offering some of the best walking, cycling, climbing, and caving in England. Nearby Rudyard Lake with its attractive narrow gauge steam railway, once a popular Victorian retreat, is now home to two sailing clubs. The area is well-served by excellent schools, including Horton Primary School, Endon and Leek High Schools, Kings in Macclesfield, Terra Nova Preparatory School, and Denstone College. Commuting is easy with good road links to Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, and other Midland business centres. Regular train services from Macclesfield to Manchester take just 21 minutes, and the region is well-connected to international airports, including Manchester, East Midlands, and Birmingham.