- Landmark Grade II listed townhouse in central Knutsford +
- Historic former home of 18th-century highwayman Edward Higgins +
- Over 5,100 sq ft across four floors including extensive cellars +
- Elegant period features throughout, including sash windows and oak flooring +
- Five spacious bedrooms, three reception rooms, and a vaulted ceiling landing +
- Large rear garden, detached double garage, and parking for up to three vehicles +
- Set on a no-through road overlooking Little Heath and The Heath +
- Short walk to Knutsford town centre, train station, and Tatton Park +
Heath House is a landmark Grade II listed townhouse positioned on the highly sought-after Gaskell Avenue in the heart of Knutsford. Steeped in history, the property proudly displays a plaque commemorating its association with Edward Higgins, the 18th-century highwayman immortalised in Elizabeth Gaskell’s The Squire’s Tale and Thomas de Quincey’s The Highwayman.
Arranged over four levels including extensive cellars, the house extends to over 4,830 sq ft and offers a rare combination of period character, generous internal space, a large rear garden, and the convenience of off-road parking for up to three vehicles, in addition to a detached double garage—an exceptionally rare feature for a home so centrally located.
The accommodation includes five spacious cellar rooms, ideal for wine storage, hobbies, or future conversion, subject to the appropriate permissions. On the ground floor, a welcoming hallway leads to a series of elegant and well-proportioned reception rooms, including a sitting room, a stunning vaulted ceiling living room, and a spacious dining room filled with period charm. The breakfast kitchen is bright and inviting, supported by a separate utility room, and prime for extension to create a modern open plan living kitchen/diner (STPP). Period features such as oak board flooring, sash windows, original doors, and fireplaces are found throughout, with the dining hall famously used as a filming location for Sherlock Holmes.
The first floor comprises two large double bedrooms, a family bathroom, a large split level study, and a galleried landing area creating a wonderful feeling of space and light. The second floor offers three further bedrooms, one with an en suite, along with a generous landing area that could easily be used as a reading nook or informal workspace. The detached double garage, located to the rear, adds additional secure parking or storage options.
While Heath House is rich in historical character, it also offers significant scope for modernisation and enhancement, subject to listed building consent, making it an ideal opportunity for buyers looking to blend contemporary design with period elegance.
Set on what is now a no-through road, once overlooking the Knutsford racecourse—now Little Heath and The Heath—the house enjoys an exceptional setting just moments from the town’s array of boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. Knutsford is a thriving market town with excellent transport links, including a nearby train station providing access to Manchester in around 42 minutes and connections to London via Wilmslow, Crewe, or Macclesfield.
The area is well served by both local state schools and esteemed independent schools such as The Grange, Terra Nova, and Kings School Macclesfield. There are extensive leisure facilities including golf courses, sports clubs, a leisure centre with a swimming pool, and of course, the beautiful Tatton Park just a short walk away.