A complete one off, this stand out and highly charismatic 1860’s barn conversion offers well-proportioned living space with lots of original architectural character features and the versatility of a generous self-contained annex which is perfect for a dependent family member or as a private workspace or hobbies area; the two are connected by the most charming walled cottage garden; a gloriously private and sheltered haven and sun trap which contrasts nicely with a second leafy garden. Enjoying some open and rural views, there’s parking for four cars and good access to the surrounding area via the network of footpaths for many miles of lovely countryside walks. The main house offers a super living kitchen, a generous sitting room, two spacious double bedrooms and a house bathroom. Across the walled cottage garden is the annex which has an exceptionally useful large hall/boot room, a living kitchen, bedroom/office and wet room. Situated just outside the village of Inskip, there’s lots to see and do locally with good access to the M55, M6 and the city of Preston. Vendor Insight The Granary was so different to anything previously seen, loved the good sized rooms, the original character features and the layout which has proved to be incredibly versatile and flexible. The tranquility and peace of the setting will be missed; the rural position, access to the countryside and the far reaching views. Location The Granary is situated just outside the village of Inskip, itself located ten miles north-west of Preston, straddling the B6259 as it winds its way to the northerly reaches of the Fylde Coast. If you are new to the area then there is plenty to see and do locally including some great cities, towns and villages, historic buildings, museums and monuments as well as Roman sites, ruins and old mines. In terms of countryside to explore there are country parks, nature reserves and SSSIs, formal parks, ancient and bluebell woods and hills. For those appreciative of waterways there are lakes, rivers, waterfalls and streams, canals and beaches. Also not to be missed are geological features such as a number of caves and areas of limestone pavements. It’s a diverse and multi-faceted area with much to its credit. In terms of day-to-day living, the nearest collections of shops and services are to be found in Great Eccleston (a little over 3 miles distant) or Garstang (just over 7 miles away) and for a wider selection, the city of Preston. At Garstang you will find a full range of health services (doctors, dentists, opticians as well as hairdressers and barbers), professional services (including solicitors and accountants), supermarkets (Booths, Sainsbury’s and Aldi), vets and a great choice of places to go for drinks and food as well as a busy high street full of independent retailers. The diverse and welcoming city of Preston offers a bustling shopping experience, busy markets, a thriving arts and cultural scene, a calendar of annual events and plenty of historical and heritage sites to visit as well as picturesque parks for a leisurely wander. There’s a wide selection of professional and healthcare providers with both NHS and private hospitals in the city. To the north, the Georgian city of Lancaster is also well worth visiting with much to offer all generations. Step Inside Put aside any preconceived ideas; The Granary is far from traditional as barn conversions go. Unique in terms of the arrangement of the accommodation this is a highly individual property that offers incredibly flexible living space with rooms of a good size having much in the way of original character features. The wonderful configuration of house and annex connected by an enchanting walled garden is incredibly special. There’s a second garden too and private parking completing the offering. Converted and completed in 2003, The Granary has been upgraded by the present owner who bought it in 2017. The result is a warm and welcoming country home that has immense character and charm and a strong connection with its two gardens. Arriving by car and the first sight is one of a substantial rustic, sliding barn door. The wood is reclaimed and wonderfully grained and tactile. An intercom is there for guests and connects through to the main house. Slide open the barn door to reveal an inner door. You’ve arrived at the annex through which the annex, walled cottage garden, main house and the leafy garden gradually unfolds and discloses itself. The entrance is intriguing and draws the visitor through – first appearances are indeed deceptive. First, the annex. Step into the central hall, open to the apex with exposed red brick and original beams, light flooding in from the skylight above and a utility area with a handy double belfast sink and plumbing for a washing machine. It’s great storage space with plenty of room to store coats and boots, outdoor and sports kit and garden furniture. A wide stable door opens to the walled cottage garden… but more of that later. To one side of the hall is a living kitchen, the ceiling rising to the roof’s apex. With space to cook, dine and relax, there are striking Spanish tiles laid to the floor and walls tying in with the smart navyblue doors of the fitted cabinets which incorporate an oven, hob and fan. Across the hall is a double bedroom or possibly an office, hobbies space or workshop, depending on how you wish to use this space. There are traditional pine floorboards, exposed trusses and purlins and a mezzanine floor built over. The adjoining wet room which offers a shower area, toilet, wash basin and bidet. The annex is ideal for guests, for a dependent family member or a boomerang teenager. It would also work incredibly well if you worked from home or wanted the dedicated space for a hobby. Next comes the walled cottage garden. This is an unexpected surprise and an absolute treat. The annex sits to the southeast, the house to the northwest. Red brick walls connect on either side. There’s an outhouse for storage and an Elite greenhouse for growing your own. Raised beds and borders are planted but leave room for seasonal vegetables. The herb garden is within easy reach of the kitchens for your culinary requirements. There are apple, plum, cherry and greengage trees as well as blackcurrant bushes and raspberry canes and not forgetting a grapevine. The garden has been organic for the last six years. The front door of the main barn is set within a small porch which has easy to reach log storage. The door is a complete one off, paneled and glazed, it’s got great character and gives a taste of what is to come. The hall leads into the dining kitchen; full of character features, lots of exposed beams and the same blue and white Spanish tiles as over in the annex. It’s a practical and well-equipped kitchen with granite worktops, the sleek modernity of the fittings contrasting well with the character of the historic farm building. Integral appliances comprise Bosch oven, De Dietrich combination electric and gas hobs, Siemens built in oven/microwave and dishwasher. The garden outlook through the glass door is lovely, no wonder the owner has placed an armchair here – it makes an ideal spot for a cup of tea whilst you peruse the weekend papers or catch up with your emails. An old pitch pine door opens to a roomy, bright and uplifting sitting room. Warm tones and tactile building materials give this a natural and rustic feel (a solid oak floor, red brick chimney breast around the Woodwarm stove, exposed timbers and an unusual original stone staircase) with a sliding patio door opening to the walled cottage garden making it bright and airy – not at all overlooked, it’s wonderfully private sitting here. Stone steps rise to the spacious first floor landing; a room in itself, this would make a good office, art studio or sewing area with a lovely outlook over the leafy garden to the fields opposite. There are exposed pine floorboards on the landing, both of the bedrooms and in the shower room, their warm tones echoed in the exposed beams. Both bedrooms have fitted wardrobes and the bathroom has a bath, separate shower, wash basin and toilet with wall paneling below a dado rail. The leafy garden has a lawn, beech and hawthorn hedges and tall Scotch pine trees which provide welcome dappled shade in the height of summer. A wooden verandah offers covered seating or further handy log storage. There’s a gate onto the lane. The Granary is a great and imaginative choice for a small or multi-generational family set up or a couple seeking to embrace the space, entertain or work from home. Truly a one off boasting enormous personality. Vendor Insight With space to cook, eat and sit in the armchair, the living kitchen is a space to chill and relax. It makes the perfect room in the summer and with the glass door open to the garden it adds a whole new dimension of inside/outside living. The sitting room is lovely whatever the season. In winter with the stove lit it is warm, cosy and very characterful, whilst in summer with the sliding door open to the walled cottage garden it has a totally different feel as the walled cottage garden becomes an outside ‘room’, extension of the home. The walled cottage garden is an absolute sun trap; sheltered and private, it’s idyllic, perfect for topping up on Vitamin D! The leafy garden is a cooler space, shaded by trees and there’s a verandah we can sit under if further shade is needed. The summer is lovely here, the gardens in full bloom and we have a choice of places to sit depending on the position of the sun and...
