Oldfield Manor Farm, Oldfield Lane, Wirral, CH48

Every home should be your own personal castle. Very few come with a moat, a drawbridge and a story that begins in the age of monks and monarchs.

Of monks and manors

Welcome to Oldfield Manor Farm, built in 1536, at a time when Henry VIII ruled and monasteries were being dismantled across the land. Conceived as a manor house by monks, complete with priest holes hidden deep within its fireplaces, this iconic, one-of-a-kind home has weathered centuries of change.

Yet for all its Grade-II listed architectural significance, Oldfield Manor Farm, beyond its castellated façade, remains a warm and welcoming family home; its rooms spacious and inviting as opposed to draughty and imposing.

Pull through electric gates and onto the drive, where to one side the remains of the original moat and its sandstone bridge still stand in water. The house sits within approximately six acres of its own land, providing privacy, open views and a true sense of rural seclusion. Outside, parking is plentiful, with a triple garage and a single garage, while additional land is available by separate negotiation, including fields adjoining the barns, offering further potential for equestrian, agricultural or lifestyle use.

In more recent history, the farm was owned by Mr Tyson, a well-known Liverpool builder responsible for constructing the city’s law courts. Granted a lifelong tenancy, he lived here with his young wife, a former ballerina. A writer by nature, Mrs Tyson meticulously recorded the history of the house in her own hand, tracing its origins back to the monks who built it in the 16th century and documenting the succession of owners through the centuries. Following her death, the property passed to family in Australia, before being purchased by the current owners in 1994.

A sense of arrival

Dispelling all preconceptions of the austere, beyond the formal front door the entrance hall welcomes all with warmth; carpet covering the original York stone flags beneath. The entrance hall serves as the heart of the home, a focal point perfect for mingling in between moments, whilst the other rooms open up from the entrance hall ensuring it is a functional rather than transitory space.

OWNER QUOTE: “The entrance hall is such a great place to sit and relax and have a chat.”

Conveying its history in every room, exposed beams extend overhead, with an impressive stone fireplace concealing one of two priest holes introduced during the reign of Henry VIII, the second of which can be found within the dining room to the right.

Capturing comfort and history

Light streams in through a large window overlooking the garden, while beams, a feature throughout the home, trace the ceiling once more. The fireplace – in truth a second priest hole escape – captures with true authenticity the ancient heritage of the home.

Stepping down from the entrance hall, parquet flooring features underfoot in the cosy snug, a quiet reading room filled with light, where a door also leads outside.

Two handy cloakrooms can also be found downstairs; both uniquely furnished in Italian ‘Nautilus’ collection sanitaryware, lending convenience to guests during parties and when entertaining.

Family living

Capable of accommodating all, the lounge is another room flooded with light from large windows overlooking the garden. Deep alcoves recessed to either side of the imposing fireplace, engraved with the Tudor rose synonymous with the reign of Henry VIII, and the initials HR, serve as a solid reminder of the living history of this incredible home.

The practical flowing layout of Oldfield Manor Farm precludes any concerns over a ‘manor’ house being rambling or anything less than homely; with all rooms opening up off the main entrance hall – transforming it into the sociable hub of the home.

Also opening up from here is the breakfast kitchen, where York stone flooring evokes farmhouse comfort. Furnished with a gas hob, oven, microwave, dishwasher and built-in fridge, granite worktops provide plenty of preparation space, while a rear porch off the kitchen offers access to a large utility room and the second of the Nautilus-furnished cloakrooms.

Entertaining haven

From the main entrance hall, ascend the handsome and intricately crafted staircase, with its elegant wrought ironwork and carefully carved heart-shaped newels, emerging into the spaciousness of the open plan games room. Formerly a seven-bedroom home, a number of rooms have been opened up to transform the landing into a sociable upstairs hub, currently housing a full-size snooker table.

OWNER QUOTE: “It’s lovely to sit here, to chat and relax looking out across the fields.”

Tucked off to the left is the master suite, a bountiful bedroom bedecked in exposed beams and with serene views out over the greenery. With ample space for wardrobes and drawers, a latched door also opens to a shower room en suite.

Rest and revive

Turning left, another large bedroom, currently housing a single bed features windows to two aspects, with a ladder providing storage access above.

Soak and unwind in the main family bathroom, opening up off the large games room landing, furnished with a corner bath, bidet, WC and wash basin, again showered with light from a large window.

Guest accommodation can be found to the left in a large bedroom brimming with storage. Meanwhile spectacular views await from the beam bedecked fourth bedroom to the left, with panoramas stretching out over the lawn and patio.

OWNER QUOTE: “Although it’s a large home, it always feels so lovely and cosy, the central spaces on both floors ensure everybody comes together and connects; it’s not a rambling home where people get lost.”

Slice of paradise

Traces of the past extend to the outdoors, where an original stone trough, carved from a solid piece of red sandstone, and water pump on the patio draw water from a well once dug by the monks.

Lawn extends to the front, while the moat and lake create a soothing and tranquil backdrop; the perfect setting for summer parties and barbecues when entertaining.

Peaceful and relaxing, with raised beds filled with flowers throughout spring and summer, gaze back on the castellated face of Oldfield Manor Farm, and sense the serenity of the setting; a place where children can explore and adventure, roaming indoors and out as the koi carp and golden orfe shimmer beneath the surface of the moat.

Out and about

Footpaths begin almost at the doorstep, winding through fields and along country lanes lined in hedgerows heavy with blackberries waiting to be harvested by amethyst-fingered children and grown-ups alike.

Rural, but not remote, Heswall is a mere fifteen minutes away, a sociable and popular local hub bursting with coffee spots and bistros for relaxed lunches and evening dining, alongside a handy M&S Food Hall and Tesco.

For classic seaside days out, West Kirby and Hoylake are both close at hand, each with a beach perfect for family outings where the sight of the classic British seaside ice cream van can still be enjoyed.

Families are particularly well served, with respected grammar schools nearby, including West Kirby Grammar and Calday Grange, alongside Hilbre High School and a strong selection of primary schools.

Transport links are excellent and surprisingly convenient for such a peaceful, tucked-away setting. West Kirby and Manor Road train stations are both around three minutes away, making commuting or family trips straightforward. Meanwhile, the M53 is only a couple of minutes’ drive, offering easy access to the M56, the Liverpool tunnels and the wider motorway network, including the M6.

Balancing the best of both worlds, country calm pervades at Oldfield Manor Farm, a historic yet infinitely homely haven, offering an escape from the hustle and bustle of modern living.

A home made for memories, many already cherished, with countless more still to come. At Oldfield Manor Farm, no two days are ever the same, with something new always to be discovered around the corner.

Disclaimer

The information Storeys of Cheshire has provided is for general informational purposes only and does not form part of any offer or contract. The agent has not tested any equipment or services and cannot verify their working order or suitability. Buyers should consult their solicitor or surveyor for verification. Photographs shown are for illustration purposes only and may not reflect the items included in the property sale. Please note that lifestyle descriptions are provided as a general indication. Regarding planning and building consents, buyers should conduct their own enquiries with the relevant authorities. All measurements are approximate. Properties are offered subject to contract, and neither Storeys of Cheshire nor its employees or associated partners have the authority to provide any representations or warranties.

EPC Rating: G