Inside the medieval mansion on sale in Lymm

Steeped in history, and surrounded by a moated estate, the Grade II* listed heritage site is a wonder in the beautiful village.

Now, however, it is a time for a new chapter to be written in Lymm Hall’s history as it is being sold for the first time in a century.

Current owners Paul, who was born and raised in the hall, and his wife Mary Cottrill are downsizing at the age of 70.

“It was a wonderful place to bring up the children,” says Paul, a former GP in the village.

Paul and Mary Cottrill

“It has this truly unique aspect of being incredibly close to the village, so the children could all walk to school and their friends in the village could quite easily come to visit them.

“Yet at the same time it has the feeling of being somewhere very remote.”

Over the years the couple have hosted a family camping event on the estate, which they dubbed Campathon, where immediate relatives would all pitch up tents in the garden.

“One of their favourite things was the ‘slippy, sloppy, slide’ we created by running a hose down a piece builder’s plastic sheeting,” recalls Mary, a retired French teacher. “They’d have hours of fun.

“We even held a 70th birthday party here recently and had around 110 guests in attendance.”

Paul and Mary admit some sadness and trepidation at moving after such a long time, but the keen travellers, who have explored more than 100 countries, are looking forward to moving closer to their children in Surrey.

“Time marches on,” says Mary. “And as wonderful a home as this has been, the important thing is to be near family.”

The family that originally lived at Lymm Hall were the de Limmes during the reign of Edward III from 1327 to 1377.

They owned much of the village and lived in the hall until 1342 when their property was transferred by marriage to the Domville family.

In the 14th or 15th century, the original hall, now known as the Moat House, became too small for the lord of the manor so a new one was built close by.

The Moat House is one of the properties that remains a part of the current estate.

Inside the property

A new house was built in the Elizabethan period and this forms the basis of the present Lymm Hall, although several alterations have been made to the property.

The Cottrills now hope a new family will create happy memories of their own at Lymm Hall.

Paul also hopes the new owners will maintain the azalea and rhododendron gardens, which over the years have hosted the village’s Picnic Festival.

“They’re a riot of beautiful colours when they come into bloom in May and have brought us a lot of pleasure over the years,” he says.

The estate, which spans more than nine acres, comprises Lymm Hall in the west wing, three apartments in the east wing, the Moat House, Shippon, a coach house and outbuildings.

Also included is a two-acre development plot with planning permission for five detached houses.

It is currently listed with the Gascoigne Halman office at The Cross in Lymm and price is available on application.

Bobby Shahlavi, manager of the Lymm office, says: “Lymm Hall is a renowned and highly regarded family owned estate with an important, rich and diverse history.

“It is an honour and pleasure to be involved in selling such an iconic landmark and is one of the most significant properties to come to the market in Cheshire within the last few years.”

Anyone interested in viewing the property should call 758345 or email lymm@gascoignehalman.co.uk