The Cottage, Heywood Old Road, Birch

Located on the west side of Manchester Road, close to the bridge that carries the M62 Motorway, this house is marked in the Manchester A Z as "The Cottage". It appears in John Archer's list of Edgar Wood's buildings but it's provenance is something of a mystery. and the only house that matches the character of those drawings in Birch is this one. John Archer goes on to say that, "The Jacobean detailing and use of vernacular materials leads to the supposition that they belong to Wood's authorship." Archer believes that 1894 is the probable date for the building.

Exquisite, extravagant, decadent, bold, homely, brimming with original features. All these words and more do not give justice to this magnificent period cottage. The property was designed by the famous local architect "Edgar Wood" who also has such credits to his name as the Royal Exchange Building in Manchester. The Property has planning for a single storey kitchen extension and also a double storey extension to make it a four bedroom house. Built at the turn of the century this Edwardian house has definite Tudor influences. Over the years it has been immaculately maintained and also improved using the best quality fixtures, fittings, and workmanship throughout. Mixing period features with modern conveniences is not an easy task yet they have been seamlessly knitted together here, the subtle secondary double glazing and the gas fired central heating hidden beneath decorative covers. In brief the property comprises;  entrance vestibule opening onto the dining room with oversized open stone fireplace, adjacent to the dining room is the hugely spacious yet surprisingly cosy lounge, the kitchen features a fully fitted range of solid wood units. Upstairs there are three double bedrooms two with open fireplaces and beamed ceilings. The bathroom has a most fantastic three piece suite with both the vanity basin and roll top bath set on walnut plinths. Outside there are extensive woodland terraced gardens, ample off road parking and an attractive patio garden to the rear of the house. An old saying goes "an English mans home is castle" Be quick and make this yours today as we are expecting a rush of interest. [Sales particulars - no date]

Reference           Academy Architecture 1896ii page 98 - perspective drawing of entrance hall