Our Cheshire building surveyor, Stuart Scoffin MRICS, was blown away to discover that the barn conversion he was inspecting was within the farmstead of George Wade, a renowned field marshal in the early 1700s.
Stuart was surveying an immaculate modern barn conversion, but soon realised that the barn was originally within the demise of a large farmstead that locals claim was once George Wade’s Home: the Grade II listed Wades Green Hall. This impressive building dates from the early 1600s; its age is evident from the sloping roof on the rear outrigger! Whether or not Wade really lived there is unconfirmed, but the village church, St Bartholomews, does contain his vault.
George Wade himself had a successful early military career, but was best known for building a series of military roads into Scotland, opening up access to the Highlands and facilitating disarming of the Highland clans. His success was so great that he was even mentioned in a verse of the version of the National Anthem that was sung at the time.
Church Minshull itself is a beautiful village, with many 17th century properties like Wades Green Hall still standing. It has plenty of character and a rural feel, but is still within easy reach of Nantwich, Crewe, Chester and Manchester. All in all, a great place to buy a home!
