Fellover School, Bodmin, Cornwall

This remarkable house, designed by Ronald Sims in 1961, is a fine example of mid-century architecture in St Breward, north Cornwall. It was thoughtfully renovated by its current owner to provide a space designed for contemporary living while retaining many of its original features, including a spectacular roof terrace. Approximately three acres of elegant lawns, ancient woodland, and river banks surround the house. Bodmin Parkway station is 12 miles away and provides connections to Exeter, Bristol, and London Paddington.

The Architect

The house was designed in 1961 by the architect Ronald Sims, who was commissioned by its original owners on the recommendation of the renowned architect Sir Basil Spence. Sims had just returned to England after a period of working and studying in the USA, which was, at the time, at the forefront of modern architecture.

The house was originally designed to incorporate a small private school, hence its name, and the main reception room is a former school hall. The prominent chimney and hearth and the long, low horizontal rooflines of the house indicate that Sims studied the work of Frank Lloyd Wright whilst in America, and it is thought that he may have worked in Lloyd Wright's office. The desire to integrate buildings into their natural surroundings, something strongly espoused by Lloyd Wright, was a prominent driving force behind the designs of modernist architects at the time, and this home is a wonderful example of this in practice.

The Tour

A private, tree-lined driveway forms the approach to this magnificent house, which sits in approximately three acres of land. Entry is to a light-filled entrance hall, with original teak parquet flooring that runs throughout the house. Interior timber-framed glazing looks onto an expansive reception room, which sits to the right of the entrance hall.

Double doors washed in a deep-blue tone unfold into the main reception room. This remarkable space is bathed in natural light from exterior windows on three sides, arranged in a striking formation that offers wonderful views of the mature trees in the surrounding gardens. At the front of the room, windows are perfectly positioned at desk height for working, studying or drawing – a relic of the room’s former purpose as a school hall.

To the rear of the space, two shallow steps lead to a carpeted sitting area with an elegant chimney-style log burner. Timber-framed windows offer fantastic views of the grounds, and a glazed door opens onto a paved patio area.

A set of sliding wooden doors to the left of the sitting area leads to an open-plan kitchen and living space, which can also be accessed from the hallway. In the kitchen, white cabinetry is complemented by wooden worktops and cupboards, and there is an integrated electric hob and oven, as well as bar seating.

There is ample space for dining and entertaining, with mesmerising views of the gardens, which can be accessed via a sliding wooden door. The kitchen and dining area are characterised by elegant timber panelling overhead, while in the sitting area, a beautiful granite fireplace and hearth are set into a curved wall.

A library sits adjacent, slightly elevated by two shallow carpeted steps. A built-in teak bookshelf occupies the majority of one wall, and the space is currently used as a music room. The ground floor is also home to a utility room and a WC at the front of the plan, which can both be accessed via a side entrance to the house.

A grand wooden staircase ascends to the first floor. The principal bedroom has a wonderful curved wall to the rear, where two shallow steps lead to an elevated area currently used as a dressing room. There is a built-in double bed with a striking headboard, made bespoke to fit the room's proportions. Large windows on two walls provide tranquil treetop views, and a set of wooden double doors opens onto a superb rooftop terrace. An en suite bathroom is attached to the principal bedroom, with grey tiles underfoot, forest-green walls, a blue bathtub and dual basins.

There are two additional bedrooms on the first floor, both with arresting views of the greenery beyond. A family bathroom is finished with striking marble tiles, a glass panelled shower and a bathtub with gold fittings.

There is a separate garage at the front of the house, alongside a self-contained annexe with a kitchenette, dining area and two bedrooms. There is also a shower room with a sink and a composting WC.

There is also a lower-ground floor, used as a soundproofed music studio and with windows that look out to the garden.

Outside Space

This remarkable house is nestled in approximately three acres of land, including a carefully maintained lawn and a variety of mature trees. Close to the house there is a paved patio area for outdoor dining, framed by fragrant wisteria.

The grounds encompass areas of woodland and a peaceful river bank of around 180 metres with fishing rights. There is also a set of modernist sculptures in a secluded corner of the grounds. A spectacular roof terrace with treetop views is accessed from the principal bedroom.

The Area

The house sits in the beautiful Camel Valley in the hamlet of St Breward Churchtown, close to the larger village of St Breward. The latter has a renowned pub, The Old Inn, a café, shops and a church. There are a number of highly regarded pubs in the surrounding area, including the St Tudy Inn and the St Kew Inn.

For provisions, there is a Co-op a nine-minute drive away in Camelford, and a selection of larger supermarkets in nearby Bodmin. Local farm shops such as St Kew and Trevathan are excellent for sampling fresh produce.

A number of well-known towns and fishing villages are within easy reach. Port Isaac is approximately eight miles away; its exquisite harbour has become known as the setting of Nathan Outlaw’s Michelin-starred The Fish Kitchen. The town is also a lovely place to begin a hike along the South West Coast Path, passing through Port Gaverne and heading towards the famed Tintagel Castle.

Beloved fishing village Padstow is a 35-minute drive away. It is renowned for the restaurants owned by Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth, such as The Seafood Restaurant and No.6, respectively, in addition to the hip Prawn on the Lawn. From here, Cornwall’s northern coast has plenty of surfing and sailing prospects, the nearest just 15 minutes' drive away.

There are primary schools in St Breward, St Tudy and Camelford, and the highly regarded Callywith College secondary school is a 20-minute drive away, with Bodmin College only slightly further afield.

The nearest major town is Bodmin, which is linked to the A30 towards Exeter. From Exeter, there are links to the M5 towards Bristol and the A303 towards London. Bodmin Parkway rail station runs services to London Paddington in approximately four hours.

Council Tax Band: E