"Windyridge," Church Brow, Bowdon

Built in the early 1920s in Arts and Crafts style with the interior largely designed and furnished by Liberty's.  Sold to Tom Pierce in 1939, it became the vicarage after WWII. The house was offered for sale in 2022.

After the end of the First World War Noel Dethier determined to settle in Bowden and eventually built himself a house on a site of 0.6 acres adjacent to the church. A resume of N D replies to various questions regarding the house was published in Bowdon Sheaf.

 Noel Dethier recorded that he found his ideal site close to Bowdon Parish Church on a high ridge of ground owned by the Church Commissioners. He continued - It was not for sale but I obtained a reduced rental by paying a capital sum. I drew plan after plan of my ideal house to suit that particular site. The main rooms to look over the county towards Chester - the hills of Derbyshire on the east and the rise of the land towards Lymm on the west. Most houses have a back and a front. I am by nature an artist and I could not bear to think of my house on that site having an ugly back. The side facing north with the picturesque thatched (then) cottages must be preserved from any unsightliness so the plans I sketched showed an elegant front entrance, lovely stone mullioned windows of the kitchen and scullery and the same for the windows of the smaller rooms on that side of the house. In other words, I made the back look like a front Every view from Windyridge was a picture of beauty and godliness. A monument to a wonderful and loving wife and a house worthy to become a Vicarage (which was his intention from the beginning). The lounge and dining rooms and the interior was designed by Liberty's of London and the fire place of brick and stone was also designed by Liberty's. An elegant and dignified design. The lounge of Liberty's design was perfected by a combination of simplicity, beauty and strength shown by the use of oak on the walls with a great supporting beam of oak across the ceiling. The oak mantelpiece and oak shelf and by the numerous electric candle lighting around the room and the strong metal central fitting of candle lighting.

I must add that it was with a feeling of trepidation when I showed my plans drawn to scale to Mr Brazier a local architect. To my relief he said "this could be built!" I knew nothing about the qualities of brick, stone, slates, timber etc. Mr Brazier did not disappoint me, Windyridge has given pleasure to many people, may it for ever be so". (The oak work was done by Mr Pennington). [Maurice Ridgeway: Bowdon Sheaf No 24 October 1994]

“Windyridge” is an imposing inter-war house standing in 0.61 acres of grounds. It is constructed of rendered brick with sandstone mullioned windows, all under a hipped Westmorland slate roof. The ground floor was planned with the principal reception rooms comprising drawing room study and dining room all facing south-west, giving distant views over the Cheshire countryside. The dining room is an elegant and well proportioned, room designed by Liberty’s of London with fireplace and bay window with a pleasant garden aspect. The drawing room, 25 feet in length is likewise to Liberty’s design with a feature stone fireplace, decorative wall timbers and oak beamed ceiling. To the entrance front   west is a small sitting room is to the right and the kitchen and breakfast room to the left. The first floor contains five bedrooms and bathroom

Reference      Maurice Ridgeway: Bowdon Sheaf No 24 October 1994