Historic Whitegate House hits the market for a cool £1.25m

Whitegate House, in Whitegate, was once the Vale Royal Abbey estate manager’s grace-and-favour home, and at another time, a coaching inn called the Rifleman.

The grade-II listed property is also believed to have been the British residence of Lord and Lady Delamere after selling most of the Vale Royal Abbey Estate in 1947 to make their lives in Kenya. 

Situated in the centre of Whitegate village, opposite the primary school, the house balances rural tranquillity and accessibility, with Hartford, which has lots of dining opportunities, only 10 minutes away by car.

With five large double bedrooms with period features, two ensuite, it is the ideal residence for a large family and also has ample room for guests.

The current owner has retained all the original period features, including open fireplaces, wooden or tiled floors, and cast-iron radiators, creating a home which combines historic charm with modern comforts.

The formal dining room at Whitegate House - if only the walls could talk! (Image: Yopa)

But prestige doesn’t come cheap. Whitegate House is currently on the market for offers in the region of £1,250,000.

Yopa’s Leesa Orton, who is marketing the property on behalf of the owners, said: “This house is the perfect home for relaxing and entertaining, and it is a unique opportunity to own a once in a lifetime property.

“Outside, the house is surrounded by multiple gardens, landscaped patio and decked areas, a vegetable patch, log stores, mature woodland, and gated parking area for several vehicles. 

The glorious kitchen is 'the main hub of this home' (Image: Yopa)

 “A stunning new large kitchen extension is the main hub of this home, with limestone flooring, integrated appliances, quartz work surfaces, and a large dining area that provides access via French windows to the gardens and other outside entertaining areas.

“There is a cosy morning room with an open fireplace and further French doors to a second paved area, overlooking the gardens and beautiful woodlands.

“The large hallway, with its grand wooden staircase and original flooring, is a classical central feature of this house.

Outside space include patios, woods, established flower beds, vegetable patch, mature woodland, and parking for several vehicles (Image: Yopa)

“It has a large, dual-aspect dining room, which is a fabulous place to hold formal dinner parties, the sitting room, with amazing views of the gardens and woodlands, the boot room, cloak room, morning room, utility room, and cellars.

“The main bathroom, with Jack and Jill doors, has a walk-in shower, loo, ample storage, and a beautiful copper bath, making this the ideal retreat to relax in.

“Off the landing, there is a further shower room with WC, and another staircase leading to two attic rooms, which have the potential to be used as further bedrooms or office space.”