IF you've ever fancied a living like a merchant, this stunning duplex apartment within the walls of a 19th century gothic house is our property of the week.

Oakmere Hall, which was built in 1867, is situated to the southwest of the villages of Cuddington and Sandiway, and this three bed apartment is set over two of its floors.

Although originally built for merchants and chemical manufacturers John and Thomas Johnson, they never actually moved in due to bankruptcy and its first resident was John Higson, a Liverpool merchant.

The massive living space, which is around 1650 square feet, is set within 14 acres of beautiful communal grounds and comes with the advantage of having no advance chain.

Built in a French Gothic style, from Lancashire freestone, the main entrance is behind a gatehouse, with a three-storey tower with an embattled pyramidal roof to the east of the frontage.

The apartment, on the market with Gascoigne Halman in Tarporley, with an asking price of £400,000 features an incredible open plan reception room with large windows giving sensational views of the substantial grounds.

With such a gothic and grand exterior the interior is very much mixes both classical and modern styles, with a massive living area on the first floor of the building overlooked by a sweeping left handed staircase.

A thoroughly modern kitchen with island and breakfast bar leads to a dining area, with a set of glass steps also leading to the second floor, which features the Master Bedroom, a bathroom and an additional bedroom.

The main bathroom of the house is done in a wet room style and is again finished to a modern and high spec, with a separate shower and sunken jacuzzi bath tub.

From the top of the stairs, a grand balcony offers views to the floor below, with gothic style beams criss crossing the high ceilings, with a significant skylight window bathing the space in plenty of light.

Back down on the first floor, there is a third bedroom with another bathroom featuring a shower only.

The property benefits from a large double garage as well as boasting additional residents and visitors parking.

Local amenities within easy reach of the home include Cuddington Train Station (1 mile), Delamere Station (2.1 miles) with both Cuddington and Sandiway Primary Schools both less than a mile away.