Village between Wells & Bath

DOWNSIDE HOUSE. CHILCOMPTON, SOMERSET, BA3 4EU

Between Bath, Wells and Bristol.

*

A charming and elegant Georgian house with generous accommodation, 2 self-contained cottages, garaging, beautifully landscaped gardens and a peaceful village setting.

The house, sympathetically improved in recent years, is hugely appealing and includes a hall, cloakroom, 4 fine reception rooms, a well fitted kitchen and cellars which include a utility room, gym area and stores.
On the first floor are 5 bedrooms and 5 bath/shower rooms and on the second floor are 2 further bedrooms and a bathroom. In all 7 bedrooms and 6 bath/shower rooms.

**

The one bedroom cottage is self-contained with separate access (plus blocked internal access to the main house) and the two bedroom cottage is also self-contained with separate access. Both have been very successful holiday lets and are also ideal as long term lets (being privately situated from the house) or for family use.

The property has extensive parking and garaging and is enhanced by delightful, mature landscaped gardens with great privacy.

Location

The one bedroom cottage is self-contained with separate access (plus blocked internal access to the main house) and the two bedroom cottage is also self-contained with separate access. Both have been very successful holiday lets and are also ideal as long term lets (being privately situated from the house) or for family use.

The property has extensive parking and garaging and is enhanced by delightful, mature landscaped gardens with great privacy.

Description

Downside House is Georgian, Grade 11 listed, dating back to 1734 and of stone construction, part rendered under a slated roof with coped verges and tall chimney stacks. It was once the doctor's House for Downside School and Abbey. This very handsome house has a classical symmetrical south elevation incorporating a central doorway with a portico with a triangular pediment on brackets and a central window with a curved architrave above.
The west elevation is simpler and equally attractive including the main entrance shielded by a pillared flat roof porch.
The house looks out from the southeast and west onto its gardens The north wing of the house has been neatly and discreetly adapted to provide 2 separate cottages.

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The property has been very skilfully landscaped. Double (electric) gates open from the lane into a large, gravelled courtyard bounded by laurel hedging, willow, beech and cherry trees. This area provides plenty of parking for all. A pedestrian gate opens to a pathway to the cottages and a field gate opens to an inner gravelled courtyard which provides further parking and is flanked by the garage building and the house.

Accommodation

The house has great charm and character, enhanced and complemented by the considerable works of recent years which include re-roofing in 2013. The kitchen is well equipped, and bathrooms have been added, all with style and in keeping with the house.
The accommodation, whilst very spacious, is also very liveable .
The front door leads in from the porch to an entrance hall with flagstones to the central hall. Double doors open into the drawing room which has oak flooring, double French garden doors, floor to ceilings windows and a marble fireplace with a multi fuel stove. Folding doors open to the billiard room, again with timber flooring, floor to ceiling windows and a fireplace with a multi fuel stove.
Adjacent is the dining room which has stone flooring, French garden doors, a window seat, a panelled wall and a top mounted sliding door to the kitchen.

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Also approached from the hall is the sitting room which has a carved stone fire surround and multi fuel stove.
An attractive, wide and glazed door leads from the hall into an inner hall with a cloakroom (basin & wc), doors to the garden and cellar, and a doorway through into the kitchen. This has flagstone flooring, French garden doors and is well fitted and equipped and includes a central island with a quartz top and a breakfast bar. Appliances include a large gas Rangemaster Toledo with gas hob and electric hotplate, extractor, and dishwasher and there's space for an American style fridge/freezer.

Cellars

Steps lead down from the inner hall to the cellar which includes a utility area (with fitted units and plumbing), a small storeroom and an area used as a gym.

Upper floors

An elegant, gently rising staircase from the hall leads to a large, light and airy landing on the first floor which has 5 bedrooms and 5 bath or shower rooms.
At the top of the stairs the two bedrooms each have an en suite shower room.
The principal bedroom, with a southerly aspect, has a cleverly designed en suite with a dressing area with fitted wardrobes and a bathroom with a freestanding rolltop bath and large double shower cubicle.
The adjacent bedroom also has a southerly aspect and an en suite bathroom.
The fifth bedroom is served by the family bathroom which has a bath.

The staircase continues to the second floor which has 2 large bedrooms, both with vaulted ceilings with exposed beams. Between the two is another bathroom.

Outside

Flanking the inner courtyard is a substantial garage which has 2 electric doors, light and power. Internally it has rack shelving, a workshop area and a loft storage area. Adjacent is a wood store and beyond is a chicken run and children's play area sheltered by a horse chestnut tree.

*****

Wisteria and vine adorn the front elevation of the house which looks out onto the well landscaped and maintained lawned gardens. These include flower and shrub beds, espaliered apple, pear and plum trees, a 300 year old horse chestnut tree and a splendid kitchen garden. This has various raised beds (vegetables, soft fruit and dahlias), cloches and an excellent hardwood greenhouse with double glazing, cavity insulated walls and lighting. There's also an irrigation system from a well.
A mature hedge screens a further lawned garden and paved terrace with a hot tub which is tucked away and conveniently situated near the French doors to the kitchen

The cottages- The Nook and The Garden Rooms

From the main entrance courtyard, a gated pathway leads to the cottages which are both of a high standard.
The first is The Nook and is very attractive with Virginia Creeper and a neat and pretty lawned garden with a stone log store now a small sheltered sitting area.
The cottage includes an entrance hall and a comfortable sitting room with engineered oak flooring and a fireplace with a wood burner. The well fitted and equipped kitchen has flagstones fitted units, cooker, extractor, fridge/freezer and dishwasher. A utility area has a washer/dryer. Also on the ground floor is a bathroom with a bath and an electric heated towel rail

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A staircase from the sitting room rises to the good size double bedroom which has a built in wardrobe.
The second cottage is The Garden Rooms, and this also has its own very pleasant garden.
The accommodation, all on the ground floor, has oak flooring throughout and marble tiles on the bathroom floor. French doors open from the living area onto a private garden, again ideal for alfresco dining. There are two good size bedrooms, one having a walk-in wardrobe. The bathroom has a large walk in rain shower, roll top bath and electric heated towel radiator.

Other points

Mains services and gas central heating with 3 zones. Council tax band G.
The property is listed and exempt from EPC requirements. Around 5,000 sq.ft. (465 sq.ms.)

Directions

Post code BA3 4EU
What3Words hydration.waistcoat.taped

Important Notice

Roderick Thomas, their clients and any joint agents state that these details are for general guidance only and accuracy cannot be guaranteed. They do not constitute any part of any contract. All measurements are approximate and floor plans are to give a general indication only and are not measured accurate drawings. No guarantees are given with regard to planning permission or fitness for purpose. No apparatus, equipment, fixture or fitting has been tested. Items shown in photographs are not necessarily included. Purchasers must satisfy themselves on all matters by inspection or otherwise. VIEWINGS - interested parties are advised to check availability and current situation prior to travelling to see any property.


To View please contact the Agents

Roderick Thomas
1 Priory Road, Wells, BA5 1SR
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