Ralph reviews a grade II listed detached property in Tarporley
If we’re honest, we all have a guilty pleasure or two, don’t we? Well one of mine is Gladiators – not in a historical context but the TV game show, I love it! Every week I have to make sure I am back from my walk, my feet are suitably cleaned, and my dinner is gobbled down, all in time for me to settle down in front of the TV and watch mesmerised as Gladiators and contestants pitch their wits and their strength against each other. Now I have to say that I do quite fancy myself as a bit of a gladiator of the pug world – I can certainly bark a good fight at any rate! I think a suitable gladiator name for me would be Legend, so I follow the human “Legend” religiously on the show, barking and doing “chasey tail spins” in support of my hero! By the end of each episode, I am quite exhausted!
However, With a view to emulating my hero, it has inspired me to get fitter so I have set up some circuit training in the back garden consisting of some small tyres off a child’s tricycle (they need to be small to accommodate my short legs!), a rope dangling from a tree (I hang on to this with my mouth and heave myself up several times – great training for the upper body), I play tug of war with a hosepipe (whilst attached to the tap) and I run lengths of the garden chasing my favourite tennis ball.
I do think all the hard work is starting to have an effect and, whilst I say so myself, I did look rather “buff” when I passed the hallway mirror this morning. Indeed, I stopped to admire the handsome chap across the hall from me, before realising it was me, at which point I wagged my tail in delight at myself!
Feeling somewhat hoisted with my own petard, I was only too delighted to head off to the very bijou village of Tarporley where I was keen to strut my stuff whilst perusing the subject of my latest Ralph’s Review, The White House – a Grade II listed detached property on the High Street of this ever popular village. Once we arrived in Tarporley, I puffed out my chest and ambled nonchalantly down the High Street, benevolently bestowing grins and tail wags on my adoring fans!
In due course I stopped outside an elegant, white-painted period property that, Dad informed me, is thought to date back to the 1790s and was once part of the old rectory estate – how fabulous.
Intriguingly, the property also looked like it encompassed both a residential and commercial element all under one roof. Oh, now this looked like it could be a very interesting proposition indeed. Without further ado, I stepped up to the beautiful period front door which opened into a charming hallway. The room oozed period charm with its part exposed timbers and sandstone. Taking a door to the left of the hallway, I found myself in a simply stunning drawing room. Period features such as the exposed timbers blended seamlessly with understated contemporary styling. I simply adored the parquet floor and the exquisite Edwardian style open fireplace. Such elegant surroundings were befitting of the type of canine company I would expect to keep in Tarporley – regal cavelier king Charles spaniels, refined Vizlas and graceful Afghan hounds… The drawing room opened out into a bright and spacious conservatory – the perfect space for summer soirees – with the doors open to the elements, it could be the perfect combination of inside/outside living on those balmy summer evenings
Back in the hallway I took another door which led me into a delightful dining room. With a beautiful period style bay window, a stone floor and exposed timbers, this was yet another atmospheric and welcoming room – the type of room that makes you want to invite all your friends over for dinner so that you can show it off!
My next stop was the kitchen which confirmed my view that the further into The White House you venture, the more delightful it is. The Kitchen was impeccably styled in a modern take on a country kitchen which was as beautiful as it was welcoming.
As I wandered around, my claws clattering merrily on the tiled floor, I noticed a set of stairs in the corner of the room and, with my interest fully piqued, I could not resist bounding up them. At the top I found myself in a beautiful bedroom. As I had come to expect from The White House, it was full of period features and exuded an aura of serene calmness. At the far end of the room I found an equally lovely en suite bathroom, complete with a period style claw-footed bath that almost beckoned me forwards. As I peered into its depths, I could almost smell the fragrant bubble bath and picture myself in my bespoke shower cap (with holes cut out for my ears) floating on my back with the bubbles tickling my nose!
Reluctantly I shook my head, clearing my mind of such delicious daydreams and headed back down the stairs to the kitchen. Before making my way back into the hallway, I found a very good-sized utility room and a cloakroom positioned conveniently just beyond the kitchen. Back in the hallway I trotted up the stairs to the main part of the first floor. There I found a further 3 bedrooms and a beautiful family bathroom.
As I had come to expect, each room was full of character and charm. The warm and welcoming aura of The White House was making me very reluctant to leave and, luckily, I had the perfect excuse not to. On the first floor landing, I spotted another set of stairs leading upwards. Oh, I thought to myself, there must be a second floor.
With a delicious sense of anticipation, I set off to explore, and boy was I glad I had. At the top of the stairs, I found myself in a vast open plan space encompassing a sitting room and a TV room. Modern flooring and styling melded perfectly with exquisite period features. Circumnavigating the room, I admired the exposed timbers and brickwork and, once in the TV room I spotted a set of French doors that opened out onto a Juliet balcony – oh wow – imagine settling down to watch the epic Romeo and Juliet film on the TV and actually being able to recreate the iconic balcony scene in real life. (I am sure my little legs could carry me all the way down to the ground floor and outside at top speed to woo my secret crush – Suzy the Saluki!)
In fact I thought I would try it now, off I set at quite a pace and part running, part tumbling, I managed to descend to the ground floor and outside in just under 46 seconds – not bad, I thought to myself with a couple of discreet pants. Whilst outside I thought I may as well have a wander around and seek out any hidden gems. And indeed, quite hidden from the High Street I discovered a lawned garden, a paved terrace and a cobbled courtyard which offered off road parking. Not only that but you could have knocked me over with a feather when, on the far side of the cobbles I spied a semi-detached barn. Trotting over I made my way inside and was met with a good sized room and a cloakroom downstairs and, on the first floor, another good sized room. This would be the perfect place for a games room, home office or gym, or the new owner could use it for storage. Now this could be especially useful as you may remember I mentioned that The White House comes with a commercial as well as residential space.
Wondering round the side of the property back to the High Street my final stop at this amazing property was the shop premises.
This encompassed everything you could possibly need – a large, attractive retail space together with a space to the rear which could be used as a preparation or storage room together with a cloakroom. Currently the space is used as a florists, and I wandered around inhaling the beautiful and exotic scents, only to dissolve in a fit of sneezes. Erm, maybe I would be better placed selling deluxe dog treats…. Then again….
With a wry smile I said my goodbyes to The White House and headed back to the office – full of thoughts of the opportunities this wonderful property would offer its new owners. If possibilities have started spinning through your head then please do not hesitate to contact myself or one of my team on 01244 322322 or [email protected] to arrange a viewing.
Until next time
Love Ralph X
