£1.4m Georgian home with gym and hot tub is on the market

Primrose House is being marketed by Jackson-Stops estate agents is described as a “wonderfully secluded property” which has retained some of its 18th century features.

The house has also been adapted to suit the preferences of a modern buyer, complete with a hot tub and space for a gym.

Richard Stephenson, vendor of the property, has been living in Primrose House for 27 years and said it was in need of renovation when he first took over.

(Credit: YouTube/Karl Ormerod, Jackson-Stops Estate Agent)

Richard said: “It was in a very poor condition but it was an absolutely stunning property and we wanted a project.

“The nice thing about the property is that it is completely private, which is the one of the main reasons why we chose it.

“Nobody knows this house is there yet we can still walk into the middle of Clitheroe in 10 minutes.”

The property dates back to the 18th century. According to the Jackson-Stops website, James Thomson, a relative of Bury-born Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel,  transforming the original stone cottage into the grand residence it still is today.

James had a reputable career in calico printing.

Richard said: “We have retained some of the property’s original features throughout the renovation.

“We restored it to the grandeur it was when it was first built and adapted it to modern living.

“The grand rooms, including the ballroom, were passion [projects] for us. The garden was overgrown so we cleared that up.”

Richard said the main renovations took place over 10 years but said, due to the size and nature of the home, work is continuous.

Primrose House in Clitheroe (Image: Jackson-Stops)

He said: “Work took place over a 10 year period but work on a house like this is continuous. It is a labour of love.

“Every room has been renovated and there are 29 of them.”

Richard is now looking for a new family to “pass the baton” on to.

He said: “We have brought our family up in the house and now we want to pass the baton on to someone else.

“Although it looks like a house it is a home and there is a place for everyone to enjoy. Children absolutely love it. If you want to bring up children with a totally memorable life experience this is the house to do it.

“The house has so much character and it’s an absolute joy. It would be impossible to build a house like this today, with this much detail.”

Renovators have taken great care to preserve and showcase many of the original features, including ornate cornices, ceiling roses, and marble fireplaces.

Outside, the sash windows have been maintained and the building’s main façade has been rendered.

Ideal for book-lovers, the house has a library, complete with wood panelled walls and wooden floors.

The room is described as “a quiet and serene space, filled with books and offering a peaceful retreat”.

The ballroom is one of Richard’s favourite rooms.

Ballroom inside Primrose House in Clitheroe (Image: Jackdown-Stops)

He said: “It is not a room you would normally find in the house. It has original mouldings and a fabulous chandelier and marble fireplace. It has to be the most spectacular room.”

The sitting room includes a a log burning fire, complete with a stone hearth and wooden mantle that matches the panelling.  

The kitchen and dining room have a lot of character as they were part of the original stone cottage. It boasts stone walls and four of the original stone lintels “serve as reminders of a time when food was cooked over open fires and iron stoves were used”.

A log burning fire is in the heart of the dining area.

A modern addition to the home is its gym, which features Maplewood flooring and mirrored walls.

When it’s time to unwind, homeowners can visit the spa room opposite the gym. This boasts a hot tub and rain shower.

The master bedroom is central and close to the main staircase. It boasts high ceilings and a stunning bay sash window which reveals views of the woodland and beyond. Wood panelling surrounds the bed head and the room has inbuilt mirrored wardrobes and dressing table.

Moving through to a spacious en-suite bathroom you will find a claw foot free-standing bath.

The gardens are described as “secluded and tranquil” and to the rear there is an elongated pond which was added by the current owners who have “painstakingly researched and designed a water feature to mirror the history and elegance of the home”.

Purpose-built by the current owners, Otters Rest is a separate property situated in a private space behind trees. It’s described as “spacious and contemporary studio home with private decking and gardens overlooking the waterfalls and brook”

It is currently being used as an Airbnb.