Ralph reviews a detached bungalow in Tiverton

One of my most favourite things in summer is packing the car up with a delicious picnic (sausages, chicken, more sausages oh and more sausages!) and heading off wherever the feeling takes us.  Sometimes mum, dad and I enjoy splashing through the foaming waves at the beach, sometimes we like to explore the forest and, when we are feeling more energetic, we head off to the more hilly parts of Cheshire to get the old tickers working! 

This week saw us head off on just such an adventure in the beautiful countryside surrounding Beeston and Peckforton castles.  I always feel the pull of history when in such surroundings  – imagining myself right behind my master as Beeston Castle is besieged by a Welsh warlord or (in less fraught circumstances) wandering sedately behind Lord Tollemache as he surveys his magnificent country house castle at Peckforton.

Having traversed the hills surrounding both castles (it always seemed to be uphill) we stopped at a tranquil spot which afforded us views of the whole of the Cheshire plain and happily munched our way through the picnic.  Once we were suitably fed, watered and rested, dad informed me that, on the way home we were to make a little stop to see the subject of this week’s Ralph’s Review.  Needless to say, I was delighted and just like that my energy returned!

Once back in the car we headed to the village of Tiverton and pulled to a stop on a gravelled driveway beside a detached bungalow charmingly named Fairhaven.

I hopped down from the car and gazed around – what a beautiful, peaceful spot it was, surrounded by countryside and with views of both Beeston and Peckforton Castles.  With a little nod of approval and a sense of invigorated joie de vivre, I trotted up to the front door, stepped through an entrance porch and into a hallway.  I took the first door on the left and found myself in a light and airy sitting room complete with an impressive feature fireplace and large patio doors opening out into the garden.  On the sun-drenched, balmy day we visited, the doors were open and a gentle breeze tickled my whiskers, offering a lovely respite from the warm weather.

I saw that the sitting room opened into the dining room which was also a bright and welcoming space.  Following my nose (as I always do, whether or not food is involved!) I spotted a door off the dining room which led into the kitchen.  Once again this was a room that was bathed in sunlight from the very large window to one side of the room.  Beyond the kitchen there was a handy utility room and cloakroom.  Somehow this bungalow felt rather like the tardis – it had way more accommodation than first appearances suggested!

Making my way back into the hallway I continued on my quest and found two good sized bedrooms, a family bathroom and a study.  Wow, there truly is more space than you may expect in this fabulous property! 

By this stage my paws were somewhat itching to explore the outside space so off I trotted.  My expectations were again surpassed as I found a large garden to the front, side and rear of the property.  With lovely terrace areas on which to sit and admire the views, the garden mainly features lawned areas with magnificent established trees throughout.  I can vouch for them all as I had to fully sniff and inspect each tree as I came upon it! This did take some time as the entire garden stretches to around 0.65 acres.  On my travels I also spotted an attached single garage, a greenhouse and a boiler room.

At the end of our visit, as I wandered back to the car I took pause to gaze around again.  The tranquil setting of Fairhaven really is unrivalled with views of two of Cheshire’s most famous landmarks from the front and uninterrupted views of countryside to the back, this really is a case of location, location, location.  Added to which this gem of a property has planning permission for an extension to create first floor accommodation.  Fairhaven is a property which could be modernised and extended to suit any taste and, with a location such as it has, it is set to be a stunning home which will offer its new owners an amazing lifestyle in one of Cheshire’s most sought-after locations.

Until next time

From Chester’s independent estate agent

Ralph X