Cheshire House
Three architects and seven years in the making, it is no surprise that the tower has a number of accolades under its belt. As well as Kevin McCloud choosing it as one of his top 100 Grand Designs, the house has also won a plethora of awards.
Sitting on a hill, Lymm Water Tower is a family house of two discrete elements. A 19th-century, 90ft disused stone water tower, complete with a spiral staircase that wouldn’t look out of place in a medieval castle; and wrapped around its base a futuristic house that could double as a James Bond villain’s lair. The view from the ground floor is of fields and woodland; the view from the top – this being the tallest building around for miles – takes in Manchester, Liverpool and the hills of Wales and the peaks of Derbyshire.
Situated in the small town of Lymm, set in a third of an acre of mature gardens, and surrounded by huge trees of birch, oak and lime, the 130-year-old grade II listed landmark sits comfortably within a pastoral landscape.
The aim throughout has been to blend contemporary design with the building’s traditional features, resulting in simple, powerful detailing. Minimalist perfection: uncluttered, super-sleek, contemporary living, complete with 5 generous sized double bedrooms, including a double-height master bedroom with mezzanine bathroom. The 3 en-suites and one family bathroom are all contemporary, with deep baths and best rain shower head. Two open-plan reception rooms, a dinning room and a stunning kitchen, complete the ground floor. Outside, have breakfast by the Japanese Koi pond, or wander in the spacious grounds. For relaxation, sink into sumptuous sofas by blazing log fires, or chill out on the roof garden, complete with teak hot tub and 360° views.