Prestbury mansion in UK's top five most-viewed properties

“In the summer, it’s just fabulous!” smiles owner Evie Gray – stepping out through the bi-folding doors that lead seamlessly from her large living/dining/kitchen room onto Overdale’s extensive rear garden patio.

“You get the sun from 10am until 9pm. We’ve had so many wonderful barbecues – having fun well into the night. We’re not overlooked from the road, so you get that real feeling of freedom that’s so important when you value your privacy.” 

Sitting in a secluded spot on Macclesfield Road, Overdale is an exquisite detached residence. One of the top five most-viewed homes for sale on Rightmove in 2019, it has attracted a steady stream of starry viewers since it went on the market. 

“Premier League footballers who play for local clubs have been to view the property,” reveals Evie. “There was a nice young chap here only this morning. It’s the ideal sort of house for a footballer to be honest. We’ve got a massive driveway that they can park their luxury cars on, and a purpose-built leisure suite on site. It’s got a 15m swimming pool with a home gym suspended above it; a sauna; a games room; and a cinema room, as well as access to the double garage. 

“It’s all in the same wing and it doesn’t intrude into the house, but you can get to it easily enough from the hall and the kitchen. We only had the extension built three years ago, so it’s in prime condition. We’ve also bought the extra land at the back, so you could easily lay a football pitch out there!” 

Evie shares Overdale with her husband Vince, who is a solicitor. The couple have three sons and a daughter, who are all married or partnered and have moved out – hence the decision to put their much-loved family home on the market. 

“The property is much too big for just the two of us,” explains Evie. “It’s such a lovely home, it’s a shame not to be getting the most out of it, so we are choosing to downsize. I could absolutely see another family moving in here and loving it!

“Overdale is a great place for children. The garden’s massive and wraps around the whole house, so they can run and play football. You’ve got Prestbury CE Primary School on the doorstep; then there’s The King’s School, which is opening a new £60m campus on Alderley Road later this summer. Our children went to The Fallibroome Academy over in Macclesfield.” 

With family entertaining at the heart of Overdale, Evie says her favourite room is the stunning open-plan living-dining kitchen with a family snug area. The kitchen was designed by David Lisle of Macclesfield, who has been creating kitchens and interiors for more than 30 years. 

“It incorporates the family room and the dining room, which opens out onto the garden,” says Evie. “I love having lots of people round and I don’t like to feel left out when I am cooking in the kitchen. The layout is ideal because you can still feel a part of things when people are milling about, so you don’t miss out on the chatter and the fun!

“I also love the big lounge on the ground floor. My son plays the piano in there and I sit in front of the open fire and listen to him. 

“In the morning, I like to open the door from the master bedroom suite and walk out onto the balcony. We’ve got sun loungers up there, so you can lie back, look out over the gardens and take in the view of the countryside beyond.” 

Evie and Vince bought the property from a builder 18 years ago in July 2002. The structure had been passed by planning, but they were able to tweak some of the interior layout to suit family life as it rose up from its footings. 

On the first floor, in addition to the master bedroom suite, there is a guest bedroom with luxury en-suite; a sumptuous shower room; and three further double bedrooms (two with en-suites). Recently, the couple have extended into the roof – creating two further bedrooms (both with en-suite facilities) and a further balcony accessed off the hallway overlooking the rear. 

“From the outside, the house looks traditional, but on the inside it’s modern,” adds Evie, who is retired now, but used to work in fashion at a department store. 

“I was supported by an interior designer, who helped me to put together a classic but contemporary look and choose all the furnishings. 

“All of the furniture was made to fit the house and is available for a separate fee. The sofa in the cinema room is bespoke. It had to be built inside the room or else we’d never have fitted it through the door!”

Overdale is handy for Prestbury village, which Evie says makes for a lovely walk in the summer. The lucky buyer will have their pick of local pubs and restaurants, with Gray family favourites being The Leigh Arms, The Bridge and The Coast. 

“Prestbury is the sort of place where you often see celebrities,” says Evie, who is originally from Newcastle-upon-Tyne and has lived in Cheshire for 27 years. 

“If you’re looking for a true retreat from the public eye, with all the convenience of the village on your doorstep, then Overdale is a fantastic choice of home.” 

Overdale is on the market with Gascoigne Halman (guide price £3,950,000). 

gascoignehalman.co.uk