High Street, Wells

One of Wells’ statement houses uniquely positioned and offering peace and privacy within easy reach of everything that this beautiful small Somerset City has to offer. Avenue House comes to the market having been treated to an immaculate and detailed renovation. Over the last eight years it has been returned to a beautiful residential property where historical features of the Regency period align perfectly with a contemporary touch and artistic flare. The history is very evident, but the house is not weighed down by it and the accommodation offers beautifully proportioned, light, spacious living rooms and bedrooms, as well as practical spaces. The current vendors run a highly specialist business from the property and the craftmanship and attention to detail that lie at the core of this business are clearly apparent and have been used to great effect within the house.

Avenue House has a real presence about it and the front elevation is stunning, with its distinctive colour combining with the ornate balcony and beautiful planting, conjuring a wonderful feeling of a home in the Mediterranean. The property with its bell-hip and metal roofed veranda is also reminiscent of the elegant city of Bath. Approaching the property through the beautifully designed rear garden the tone is set; with a balanced planting scheme complementing modern and historic stone features. On entering there is a tantalising glimpse through the house towards the front door. The ground floor accommodation comprises three reception rooms and of note, the front facing drawing room painted a deep red to dado height and with deep skirtings, decorative cornicing and a ceiling rose creating a rich atmosphere. There are three sets of French doors providing access to the front of the property, creating the sense of formality that houses of this period are known for. Natural sisal floor coverings combine with a tasteful colour palette, elegant working shutters further underline the properties origins. A study and cloakroom complete the ground floor living accommodation and there is access to a multi roomed cellar, part of which now provides a gym.

At the centre of this Grade II listed property a stunning, graceful staircase constructed of ornate wrought iron with a polished wood banister rises to the first and second floors. An impressive twenty-one pane window with charming fan light floods the stairwell with light and provides a gorgeous spot to stop and enjoy an elevated view of the rear garden. At first floor level and spanning the width of the property to the front is a wonderfully spacious and light living area comprising a sitting room, kitchen/dining room and prep kitchen with doors out to the covered verandah. A superb meeting of the traditional, the contemporary and with a dash of the atmosphere of a Parisian apartment, perfectly blend here to provide somewhere that you don’t need or want to leave. In winter, the original open fireplace keeps things cosy with the option of closing the double doors that open the room up to the kitchen. Breakfast and morning coffee on the sunny south facing verandah is utterly delightful with the eye being led down the avenue of pretty Hydrangeas to glimpse people passing by on the High Street. The clean lines of the bespoke John Lewis of Hungerford kitchen with oak work tops sits very well with aged floorboards and is in keeping with the quality, care and attention that has been lavished on the property. The appliances are by Fisher and Paykel and Miele.

Spanning the width of the rear section of the house are two bedrooms and a bathroom. The larger bedroom benefits from a triplet of large, fitted cupboards and all three rooms enjoy pretty views of the garden. The bathroom on this floor is a real treat with the use of different materials adding texture and colour to a space where storage too has been given full consideration. On the second floor there are five further bedrooms, three with views across the roof tops of Wells towards Tor Woods and open countryside beyond. One of the bedrooms is served by a bathroom with separate shower which operates a Jack and Jill system, thereby serving as an en-suite and allowing access for guests in the other rooms. This floor also benefits from a second separate shower room from where there is access to a partially floored loft and from there, access if required, to the roof. These bathrooms are contemporary in style and superb quality. The remaining two bedrooms overlook the rear garden. The proportions of the house throughout are wonderful, with high ceilings and wide hallways accompanying stripped wooden floorboards and twelve pane sash windows to the first and second floors which flood the property with light. The current vendors have completed a remarkable renovation project and the property is ready to be enjoyed by its next custodians, we highly recommend viewing.

Outside
Parking for up to four cars lies at the rear of the property where the delightful garden is entirely screened with discreet and understated frosted glass panels. Entering the garden is a delight and provides a gently immersive experience with a beautifully balanced combination of hard and soft landscaping. Grey natural limestone paths and brick enclosed beds with steps creating different levels, define the space into distinct areas with a striking raised pond as the centre piece which is home to fish and softened with water lilies.

Two mature trees provide height and some gentle shade with fastigiate Yews providing vertical evergreen structure set against the handsome high stone wall that encloses the property on the eastern side. A very carefully curated, mainly white and purple planting scheme with pink and red accents, ensures that there is colour and textural interest throughout the garden and in every season. A hardwood decked sunbathing area is screened with evergreen Jasmine and a white Wisteria. A delightful potting shed whispers some of the history of the house with a bread oven still in place. Adjacent to the potting shed a lovely Cedar framed greenhouse provides a perfect spot to over winter delicate plants or to give seedlings a head start in the spring. In the evening, motion sensor lights illuminate the path from the gate to the back door and there are spotlights to highlight some key plants. From the rear there is access to a very useful undercroft which provides a perfect area for storage of bikes and outdoor equipment, and there is also a doorway from here into the cellar.

The front facing south side of the property enjoys a different outlook, with Wells High Street accessible via a Hydrangea bordered walkway and gate. The front of the property has been treated with a similarly carefully curated planting scheme, with a slight nod to the mediterranean and being South facing, some key plants benefit from an automatic watering system that has also been extended to the veranda balcony and the planters in the rear garden. There is a lovely little pond and fountain and a curved block path leads to the front door.  


Situation 
The ancient city of Wells is situated in the beautiful Somerset countryside surrounded by the picturesque Mendip Hills to the north and Somerset levels to the south. At the very heart of the city is the stunning medieval Cathedral with its Chapter House and adjacent Vicars’ Close. The Bishop's Palace, home for over 800 years to the Bishop of Bath and Wells is surrounded by a beautiful moat with resident swans and over 14 acres of stunning gardens. 


Wells offers all the amenities you would expect from a city including banks, doctors’ surgeries, dentist, a selection of primary schools and the excellent Blue School and Wells Cathedral School. The busy and vibrant High Street with its historic market square offers a small selection of chain stores such as Boots and Waterstones, plus a variety of independent shops, restaurants and pubs. The twice weekly market provides an excellent opportunity to buy good local produce, delicious fresh fish, meat products and a variety of street food. There is also a good choice of supermarkets including Waitrose, Tesco, Morrisons and Lidl.

Historic Wells provides a beautiful backdrop to a wide range of festivals and is now becoming Somerset’s go-to place for its annual food, literary, contemporary art, garden, comedy and theatre events. There is a regular programme of live-music in both the Cathedral and Cedar’s Hall, the auditorium of the famous Wells Cathedral School as well as shows at the Wells’ Little Theatre and an independent multi-screen cinema.

Other local attractions and amenities include the well-known Bath and West Show Ground just a few miles away, home to the annual Bath and West County Show and many other exhibitions as well as regular antiques markets. Bruton, now firmly on the map and home to The Newt, Somerset’s finest country estate as well as Hauser and Wirth, a world-renowned contemporary art gallery are both within a 30-minute drive. Golfers have a wide choice of golf clubs – Wells Golf Club, Mendip Golf Club with its amazing views, Wedmore Golf Club and for those seeking a real challenge, Burnham on Sea Golf Club. Sailing and fishing can be found on the Chew Valley and Blagdon Lakes and there are endless opportunities for cyclists of all abilities to enjoy the natural beauty of the stunning Somerset levels and nature reserves.

A minor injuries unit is close at hand being situated at Shepton Mallet Community hospital or West Mendip Hospital. 

The cities of Bath and Bristol are within commuting distance and there is a main line railway station at Castle Cary (13 miles away) with direct links to London Paddington, journey time 1hr 40 mins. Street and Glastonbury are 20 minutes away and Bristol airport is an easy 30-minute drive.

Directions  
Postcode BA5 2AJ
What3words ///universal.mavericks.pinks

Viewing by appointment only 


MATERIAL INFORMATION

In compliance with The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team’s Material Information in Property Listings Guidance.

PART A

Local Authority:  Somerset County Council
Council Tax Band: F
Guide Price: £1,500,000
Tenure: Freehold

PART B

Property Type: Detached
Property Construction: Standard
Number and Types of Rooms:  See Details and Plan, all measurements being maximum dimensions provided between internal walls.
Electricity Supply: Mains electricity
Water Supply:  Mains water
Sewerage:  Mains drainage
Heating:  Mains gas central heating
Broadband:  Full fiber broadband to the property.
Mobile Signal/Coverage:  Please refer to Ofcom website.
Parking: Private parking for three to four vehicles


PART C

Building Safety: Our vendor is not aware of any building safety issues or any planned or required remediation work but we recommend that you engage the services of a chartered surveyor to confirm. 
Restrictions: We are not aware of any significant/material restrictions, but we’d recommend you review the title/deeds of the property with your solicitor.
Rights and Easements: We’re not aware of any other significant/material restrictions or rights, but we’d recommend you review the Title/deeds of the property with your solicitor.
Flood Risk:  N/A
Coastal Erosion Risk:  N/A
Planning Permission: We are not aware of any undecided planning applications within the vicinity of the property 
Accessibility/Adaptations:  N/A
Coalfield Or Mining Area:  N/A
Energy Performance Certificate: N/A, Grade ll listed

No other Material disclosures have been made by the Vendor. This Material Information has been compiled in good faith using the resources readily available online and by enquiry of the vendor prior to marketing. However, such information could change after compilation of the data, so Lodestone cannot be held liable for any changes post compilation or any accidental errors or omissions. 

Furthermore, Lodestone are not legally qualified and conveyancing documents are often complicated, necessitating judgement on our part about which parts are “Material Information” to be disclosed. If any information provided, or other matter relating to the property, is of particular importance to you please do seek verification from a legal adviser before committing to expenditure.