St. Martins Road, Knowle

"Our home is an elegant, light-filled sanctuary on one of South Bristol's most beautiful streets. It draws you in the moment you step inside: high ceilings and an abundance of natural light, a gorgeous stained glass entryway door, original plaster cornicing, Edwardian floor tiles, and a stunning hand-carved staircase all make for an impressive and welcoming first impression. We love sipping our morning coffee in the conservatory watching the gorgeous colours of the sunrise, the birds and the clouds drift by. Especially in the fall, we love evening drinks tucked into the living room's cosy bay window watching the sunset down our tree lined street. The large open plan kitchen is the heart of it all, always full of life, while the conservatory is where we gather for long meals, watching the rain or sunshine on the glass. In spring, some of our favourite evenings have been spent on the terrace, glass in hand, watching the sky turn pink as the sun sets over the city. In winter, the open fireplace brings such warmth and coziness; in summer, the terrace becomes ideal for tea and BBQs in the sun, as we throw open the conservatory doors transforming the space into a wonderful entertainment area that has hosted friends and family for memorable times we cherish to this day."

The home

One of South Bristol's most sought-after streets, at the very top of Upper Knowle, lined with grand Edwardian homes and mature trees, and yet the heart of Bristol only minutes away. This extraordinary semi-detached five-bedroom home on St Martins Road has been lovingly and extensively renovated throughout, finished to an exceptional standard, and is offered with no onward chain.

Highlights include a premium, newly installed, custom-designed Harvey Jones designer kitchen, fully remodelled bathrooms with Witt and Berg showers and a free-standing copper bath, and a conservatory extension to the rear. The kitchen wall has been opened up to create a bright, open-plan kitchen diner featuring two cooking ranges, a restored Victorian range and a Lacanche range, integrated white goods, and underfloor heating that runs through to the living room, kitchen, and downstairs bedroom/study. Off the conservatory and kitchen dining space is a large, versatile room with its own access from the garden, ideal as a studio or home office.

High ceilings, period character, and a superb quality of finish run throughout. Every fireplace has been renovated and fitted with original pieces sourced from as far afield as York, ornate cast iron radiators have been installed, the original leadlight and stained glass windows have been carefully triple glazed, and all other windows replaced. The original floorboards have been retained and restored throughout the house. On the ground floor, a guest WC has been added beneath the stairs, complete with an antique cistern sourced from the Lake District and a tap from a château in France. Upstairs, a beautiful central staircase rises through the heart of the home, illuminated from above by a new top-floor skylight that pours natural light down through the landings and the centre of the house.

The middle floor offers three bedrooms, including the master overlooking the garden; the smaller bedroom opens onto a balcony at the front of the home. The two top-floor bedrooms have been remodelled with added eaves storage and an additional dormer for extra light, while large Velux windows fill the rooms with sunshine and frame a wonderful dual aspect that the home's elevated position, high on the hill of Upper Knowle, opens up on either side: on one side, views across to the heritage-listed water tower and the countryside skyline stretching towards Bath; on the other, views towards the Clifton Suspension Bridge and out to Dundry. That elevated setting brings a reassuring practical benefit too, with the house sitting comfortably above any risk of flooding. This floor also houses the large water tank, pressure pumps, and water softener, installed to ensure consistent pressure and the longevity of appliances. A new boiler has been fitted along with new plumbing and electrics throughout, every ceiling and wall has been replastered, and the entire house has been redecorated.

The outside

A remarkably large and private garden for the area. Side access runs through a newly rebuilt lean-to, and a generous patio wraps around the conservatory, creating a fantastic space to host family and friends all year round. Beyond it, the garden stretches out to two sheds at the rear, with an ancient apple tree at its heart that still bears the most delicious apples each year. To the front there is off-street parking with an electric charging point.

Living in Knowle

St Martins is one of the most sought-after roads in South Bristol, known for its leafy greenery, its grand Edwardian homes, and above all its tranquility. It is the kind of street where you hear birdsong rather than traffic, and yet you are never far from the buzz of local life. Just off Wells Road, you are on the doorstep of a thriving hub, home to an ever-growing selection of independent shops, cafés, and restaurants. Enjoy artisan produce and coffee at Fox and West, freshly made pizza at Acapella, relaxed drinks at The Smoke Box, craft beers at Bruhaha, and beautiful blooms from Floriography, famous for its stunning Christmas wreaths. For dining, Bank offers exceptional food and a renowned Sunday lunch, while The Oxford provides live music and The Knowle Pub serves as the perfect neighbourhood spot for food, drinks, and garden gatherings.

Life in Knowle offers an exceptional sense of community and access to some of Bristol's most cherished green spaces. Perrett's Park lies less than a mile away, a fantastic spot for play, picnics, or city views, while Redcatch Park and its vibrant Community Garden are only a short walk away, hosting family events, tennis courts, sports, and gatherings throughout the year. Arnos Vale Cemetery, with its scenic walks and popular Atrium Café, is also nearby, as are Victoria Park and Callington Road Nature Reserve, perfect for weekend strolls or dog walks in every season. The gorgeous art deco Jubilee Pool is just a 6-minute walk away, while the Knowle tennis club and cricket club are a 4-minute walk.

Families will appreciate the outstanding local schools, including the much-loved Sydenham Road Pre-School, Cleve House School, and Hillcrest Primary, all a short walk away, along with the Totterdown Children's Community Workshop providing quality wraparound care. There are also excellent transport links to schools right across the city, including dedicated school-run transport to the highly regarded Sidcot School.

What truly sets the street apart, though, is its people. This is a genuinely friendly road, home to neighbours who have lived here for decades and who look out for one another. New arrivals are always warmly welcomed, with an invitation to the street WhatsApp group and the next street party already in the planning.

Knowle is very much an area on the rise. The major redevelopment of nearby Broadwalk is bringing a fresh wave of restaurants, cafés, grocery stores, and lifestyle amenities, adding even more to an already vibrant and well-connected neighbourhood. For a buyer, that combination of an established, sought-after street and an area so clearly on the up makes a home of this size and quality an excellent long-term investment as well as a wonderful place to live.

And for all its peace and quiet, the home is superbly connected. You are just 12 minutes from Bristol city centre by car, 8 minutes from Temple Meads station, and only 30 minutes from the centre of Bath. Temple Meads offers fast rail links to London and beyond, while the city centre is also an easy cycle or bus ride down Wells Road. It is a rare combination: the calm and greenery of a quiet, settled neighbourhood, with the whole city, and Bath, within effortless reach.