Bagborough, Taunton, TA4

A fascinating old house offering versatile accommodation together with two cottages occupying an elevated setting on the edge of this popular Quantock Hills village.

The handsome facade of Higher House is enhanced by a mature Wisteria which decorates the stonework and stone mullion windows. The exact date of the house is unknown, but the more formal front of the house was no doubt an addition to a more modest older property on the original site. The formal recessed porch leads into the reception hall, which has a cloakroom and WC, and a short flight of stairs lead up to the inner hall leading to the magnificent drawing room with period fireplace and tall leaded light mullion windows incorporating French doors out into the garden. The room faces due south and enjoys particularly wonderful views. There is a smaller sitting room providing a comfortable room to sit with art deco wooden fireplace, and bay window enjoying the views. The rear hall leads into the courtyard with an oak panelled door with circular window. Also leading from the hall is the dining room with light wood parquet floor and double doors and step leading up to the kitchen/breakfast room, which is well fitted with central island and electric AGA. Further French doors lead out into an inner courtyard facing east. A former kitchen, laundry, and rear hall complete the ground floor. A fine turning staircase with unusual Newal Posts, believed to come from a nearby stable, leads to the principal landing where there is an en suite bedroom and beautifully furnished library with cupboards, bookcases and doors to a guest bedroom and a well fitted bathroom. There are two further bedrooms on the first floor sharing a family bathroom. Return to the mezzanine landing where there are a few stairs to the principal bedroom suite with sitting/dressing room, bathroom and bedroom. There is a further guest bedroom and shower room off this landing.

The self-contained apartment with kitchen/living room and bedroom can be accessed on the ground and first floor. A pretty courtyard to the east of the main house leads to two sympathetically renovated cottages, Honeysuckle Cottage having two bedrooms, a bathroom and kitchen/dining room and The Mouse House having one bedroom, a bathroom and open plan kitchen/sitting/dining room. The cottages have in the past provided a good income from holiday lettings.

The gardens at Higher House provide quite a feature and include a deep terrace to the front of the house with path leading to a smaller circular terrace ideal for table and chairs and enjoying glorious views. The lawned gardens are partially walled and have a number of mature shrubs and trees and deep well-stocked mixed borders. The gardens have a further terrace, a garden store and flight of steps leading up to the gravelled parking courtyard having electrically operated doors leading out onto the village road and an open fronted double garage with lockable store to one side. An opening leads into a further expanse of lawn with further south facing terrace, a folly and further flight of steps leading up to a further undulating area of garden with levelled area thought to have been a former lawned tennis court. The all-weather tennis court lies on a slightly lower level. A gently sloping paddock faces due south and is ideal for those wishing to keep ponies or horses and has access out onto the village road. In all the gardens and grounds extend to about 5.5 acres.

Tax Band: G