The Croft at Aston juxta Mondrum on sale for £975,000.

Is there a more evocative English village name than Aston juxta Mondrum? Or a place more romantically French than the province of Champagne?

Ciaron Jordan, a man whose life has been one long, fascinating journey is about to make the move from one to the other: to leave behind the pretty rural community of Aston near Mondrum for new beginnings in a home in the region that produces the most fabulous and famous tipple in the world.

The long-term goal of the plumber-turned-developer of high-end properties has always been to retire at 55. He celebrates that birthday this month with the fulfilment of his ambition and a new, very personal project – finding his perfect retirement home, most likely close to the medieval town of Troyes, with his wife Carlie, a Shar Pei named Drey and rescue cat Barney. 'I have done what I want to do in England and am looking to the next chapter. I love the Champagne region area for the climate, the lifestyle and the carp fishing. And property in France is ridiculously cheap,' he says. 'We will look to rent first while we find the right place – probably a farmhouse with land, to work on and settle in.'

Ciaron and Drey on the oak and glass staircase created by Cheshire Stair Design. (Image: Kirsty Thompson)Welcome to The Croft. (Image: Kirsty Thompson)

The current family home, The Croft, on Church Road, in 'AJM' (as he calls it) is up for sale and its new residents will be taking ownership of a property with the trademark excellence of Ciaron and Jordan Home Developments Ltd, the Cheshire-based business he founded when he decided to go it alone.

The Croft is built to the highest standards, with a style and sympathetic features reminiscent of the type of boutique hotels Ciaron has used as inspiration for its pristine décor. And while the avid carp fisher, former Mr Britain body-builder, high-performance-car enthusiast and sport-lover has founded his success on hard graft, when it comes to creating a desirable property, his favourite part is adding the finishing touches. 'I love the interiors side of the job. I like simple lines and a fairly minimalistic style with pieces I find in shops and online. I spend hours trawling the internet and shopping, he says. 'I search and search for things.'

One search took him to Top Secret Furniture in Holmes Chapel where he found the statement aluminium Timothy Oulton desk that sits in the room used as an office.

The office with its statement aluminium desk. (Image: Kirsty Thompson)

Ciaron started his working life alongside his father Brendan, an electrician and heating engineer by trade. He began by 'flipping' properties, then on new builds and extensions until, with the advice, encouragement and support of Cheshire property developer Graham Price, he bought his first plot.

Jordan Homes has specialised in building rural, bespoke homes, and barn conversions such as the firm's final project, The Shippon, on Whitegate Road at Marton, near Winsford, currently on the market for £875,000.

When the pandemic arrived and with it a shortage of building materials and work, Ciaron kept his team in employment building his new home at Aston juxta Mondrum, and the property next door, Mulberry House, on an overgrown paddock belonging to a neighbour, that had planning permission for two detached houses.

Solid wood units and quality appliances in the pristine kitchen. (Image: Kirsty Thompson)

'I was born in Nantwich, then lived in Crewe with my mum and dad, went to London for five years, which was too much of a culture shock, and Sandbach, and back to Nantwich. I used to drive through AJM and think what a lovely community it was. It wraps around Worleston, which has St Oswald's Primary School; St Oswald's Church; The Royal Oak, which serves really good food and the fantastic J Hulse (bakers and grocers) family-run village shop, which makes and sells the best pies and cakes. It's a great place to live and I will miss the village and the people here but I have had enough of England generally.'

Jordan Homes is closing with Ciaron's retirement but its sister company, Cheshire Stair Design, is thriving under the directorship of his daughter Melody, who is 24 this month.

The solid oak and glass staircase with its illuminated glass risers that dominates the hall at The Croft is built to the exacting standards and with the highest quality materials Cheshire Stair Design reputation is built on. 'I was being pulled from pillar to post running both businesses so when Melody was 19 she joined me at work, and completely blossomed. She has taken it to a different level.'

The master bedroom's illuminated bed, created by Ciaron, stands in the middle of the room - an idea he saw in a boutique hotel. (Image: Kirsty Thompson)

Each room at The Croft is finished immaculately with wallpapers and artworks chosen by Ciaron, including several paintings by Northern Irish artist Terry Bradley. There is a bespoke, hand-painted solid-wood kitchen with high-end appliances, and the house is filled with typical Jordan Homes user-friendly extras such as sensor lighting in bathrooms, WCs, storage cupboards and wardrobes.

The sitting room with its carpet that twinkles with silver threads looks out onto the spot-lit gardens, water feature and countryside beyond, while the snug has the Midas Touch with gold fittings and statement wall. 'I love grey and that is the main colour that flows throughout the house but each room is individual with different touches. I don't want be Mr Grey,' says Ciaron.

The upstairs was cleverly designed to make The Croft anything from three to five bedroomed. The current configuration is luxury bathroom; master bedroom with a balcony, luxurious en suite and Ciaron's dressing room; a second large bedroom with beautiful dressing room for Carlie's wardrobes; and a guest room. Concealed doors mean the upstairs can be opened up and the dressing rooms converted to fourth and fifth bedrooms.

One of the two stylish dressing rooms that can be converted to make bedrooms four and five at The Croft. (Image: Kirsty Thompson)

Extra cavity insulation keeps the house warm and helps retain energy. The sound system is embedded in the ceiling and different music can be streamed to different rooms.

Whoever moves into The Croft can be assured they are buying a home built to the highest standards in a setting that retains the best of English village life as well as the most charming of names.

Ciaron says: 'I have made a lot of friends in AJM, our neighbours are great and we love the area and I know am taking a leap into the unknown but I can't wait now to make the move to France. I have so many new ideas.'

The gardens reach out to the countryside beyond. (Image: Kirsty Thompson)

The Croft, Church Lane, Aston juxta Mondrum, a five-bedroom home, extending to 2604 square feet with double garage with gym over, on a landscaped plot of circa 0.40 acre with open views to the rear is on the market for £975,000.

The Shippon, Whitegate Road, Marton, an individually crafted detached barn from Jordan Homes, extending to circa 2430 square feet, in generous gardens with rural views, off-road parking and a detached double garage is being sold for £875,000.

For both properties contact: Gascoigne Halman Tarporley

01829 707885

tarporley@gascoignehalman.co.uk

gascoignehalman.co.uk

The Croft at Aston juxta Mondrum, built by Ciaron Jordan as his family home, is on sale for £975,000. (Image: Kirsty Thompson)