South Widcombe, East Harptree, Bristol, BS40

Fair Orchard is a beautiful stone built house, picture perfect in the spring adorned in wisteria. Located in the quiet hamlet of South Widcombe, a short distance from East Harptree, it offers uninterrupted views of the open countryside and rolling hills within the Chew Valley. The cities of Wells, Bath and Bristol are all within easy reach from this secluded retreat. 

Upon entering through the original front door there is a spacious and welcoming entrance hall with a window overlooking the attractive front gardens which are full of mature shrubs and plants. There is a  slate tile floor and a door leading off to the right where you enter a stunning dual aspect  kitchen /dining room which was extended and refitted in 2022. The property can be accessed conveniently via  wide steps leading to French doors on the garden side. On the other side of the room there are bi-folding doors that span the width of the room.  From here there are breathtaking unspoilt  rural views across an open field to oak trees and hills beyond. Honey coloured  limestone flooring, with underfloor heating, spans the kitchen and dining room.  

A handmade wooden kitchen houses a good array of cabinets,  quartz worktops, an under-mounted stainless steel sink, Bosch integrated oven and microwave and a stunning turquoise electric Aga with tiled splashback.  The quartz covered large central island   houses a Bosch induction hob, deep pan drawers and wide plate drawers, pull out bins, and a breakfast bar.  Within the kitchen there is space and plumbing for both an American style fridge freezer and a dishwasher. The dining area can accommodate a large table and chairs for at least 12 people.  

To the side is the boot room and back entrance through the side garden, with the same limestone flooring and underfloor heating. There is plumbing installed for appliances if required, as well as space for coats and boots. There are both hot and cold taps on the outside wall by the back door.

Adjacent to the kitchen facing the side garden is a cosy snug, with a vaulted ceiling and exposed beams, and two sets of French doors overlooking and leading to the side lawn where apple, fig, quince, damson and greengage trees, as well as flowering cherry and an old magnolia can be found. A wood-burner with stone surround makes this a pleasant room for relaxing.

Off the main entrance hall is a utility room with stainless steel sink under the window, washing machine and tumble dryer and the "Worcester" boiler (installed 2022). At the end of this room is the downstairs cloakroom with low level WC and wash handbasin. Next door is a study overlooking the rural views with wide wooden floorboards and a storage cupboard This could potentially be bedroom 5 if required. To the left is an inner hallway with curved wooden staircase leading to the first floor with an understair cupboard, and a door  to the main sitting room. This is a generous dual aspect room characterised by substantial oak beams and a stone fireplace with inset wood-burner. The room narrows at one end and in one corner is an integral  glazed display cabinet.  Finally at the far end of the sitting room is the office. This room has a dual aspect and  has its own entrance and flagstone flooring.

Upstairs  there are four bedrooms and a bathroom. The  master bedroom is a generous room which  overlooks the front gardens and the rural views to the rear. There is a walk in wardrobe  and a well appointed bathroom. The ensuite bathroom with wooden floor comprises double vanity unit, large walk-in shower enclosure with waterfall shower, WC and bath with traditional taps with hand held shower head.

The guest bedroom at the other end of the house, is a splendid  light filled room with a dual aspect and  far reaching countryside views. It also has its own en-suite, with a shower, WC and wash hand basin.

The third bedroom is a comfortable double sized bedroom overlooking the front garden.  The fourth bedroom also accommodates a double bed and overlooks the front garden. The family bathroom has attractive Moorish style tiles and  bath,  overhead shower, vanity basin and WC. On the landing there are two shelved linen cupboards, one housing the hot water cylinder. 

Outside

The property is approached by a gravelled driveway providing ample parking and giving access to several outbuildings. The double garage, currently used for storage, has two sets of large wooden doors, a pedestrian door and a staircase to an upper floor. Next to the garage is an open timber store, used for storing hay and logs . Closer to the house is a generously proportioned artist studio with triple aspect, skylight windows, two access doors and a sink. Alongside the studio are two stone-built stables. These  offer potential for conversion (subject to the necessary consents)

Adjacent to the drive is a large lawn  with borders of mature trees, shrubs and roses. There is a magnolia, several fruit trees including apple, quince and cherry along with a timber summerhouse offering a lovely sunny spot to sit and enjoy the garden. There is a high stone wall which gives privacy  and will hold the summer sun’s warmth making it a great place for growing fruit. 

A tall hedge with arch and gate separates the driveway from the house and formal front garden. To the front of the house is a pathway leading to front door, kitchen and office. The path also leads up to the front gate which opens onto the lane. At the front of the house, steps lead up to the formal gardens which are enclosed by neatly clipped box hedging and feature a cottage style garden.  An arch leads to an area of lawn with raised vegetable beds and fruit trees including apple, plum and greengage.  To the side of the house is a garden area with a tree line along the lane which has been used for compost and  garden  cuttings. The path continues to the rear of the house with a further area of lawn and patio  outside  the kitchen/ dining room., making the perfect spot for outdoor furniture and entertaining. Within the garden are further seating areas to be enjoyed throughout the day.

A short walk across the lane from the property are two paddocks, totalling 4.05 acres. Both paddocks benefit from fields shelters, water and gated access.

Fair Orchard is a beautiful stone built house dating back to the 18th century, picture perfect in the spring adorned in wisteria in bloom. Located in the quiet hamlet of South Widcombe, a short distance from East Harptree is offers uninterrupted views of the open countryside and rolling hills within the Chew Valley. The Cities of Wells, Bath and Bristol are all within easy reach from this secluded retreat. 

Settled within charming cottage gardens full of flowering shrubs and fruit trees, with various areas to enjoy and equate to around two thirds of an acre in total.

The property has been extended over the years making it an ideal family home, further enhanced with a selection of outbuildings including a studio, double garage with an upper floor,  stable blocks and  paddocks of 4.05 acres for those of you with equestrian needs or outdoor pursuits. 

Location

South Widcombe is a small hamlet just one mile from the village of East Harptree and on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills. The hamlet is peaceful and quiet, with a strong sense of community and surrounded by beautiful countryside and rolling hills.

East Harptree has a church, a community owned pub and shop; a hairdresser and a village hall, which is used for community events and meetings.

Nearby, the picturesque City of Wells offers a range of local amenities and shopping facilities with four supermarkets (including Waitrose), as well as twice weekly markets, cinema, leisure centre, a choice of pubs and restaurants, dentists and doctors, two churches and both primary and secondary state schools together with Wells Cathedral School.

For those travelling by train, Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads stations are circa. 15 miles away and have direct trains to London Paddington. Both the City of Bristol and the Georgian City of Bath, a World Heritage Site, are located just 15 miles away and are easily accessible.

The property is barely visible from the road and is located via the driveway  entrance. 

Entrance Hall - 4.04m x 3.75m (13'3" x 12'3")

Wooden door to the front aspect, thermostat control, radiator and slate  tiled flooring. 

Kitchen/Dining Room - 7.9m x 5.7m (25'11" x 18'8")

Double glazed French doors and two double glazed windows to the front aspect, three skylight windows, a lantern  glazed roof above the dining area and double glazed bi-folding doors to the rear aspect. This generous and well lit room  has a kitchen area including a large island, both with quartz work tops, there is an inset sink with a mixer tap over. There is an electric  Aga with an extractor hood over plus a range of fitted appliances such as an induction hob, oven, microwave oven and space for a dish washer and American style fridge/freezer. The room also has a limestone  floor with underfloor heating. 

Snug - 6.7m x 3.1m (21'11" x 10'2")

Two sets of double glazed French doors to the side aspect and a double glazed window to the front aspect. There is a vaulted ceiling with exposed wooden beams, roof trusses and recessed down lights, a stone fire place and hearth with a log burner, radiator and television aerial point. 

Boot Room - 3.6m x 1.86m (11'9" x 6'1")

Wooden door with double glazing to the side aspect, recessed down lights, consumer unit, space for appliances, boots and coats, with a limestone floor and underfloor heating. 

Study/Bedroom - 3.6m x 3.3m (11'9" x 10'9")

Double glazed window to the rear aspect, fitted cupboard with shelving, recessed shelving and a radiator. 

Utility Room - 2.7m x 1.9m (8'10" x 6'2")

Double glazed window to the side aspect, a range of wall and base units with laminate work tops, stainless steel sink/drainer with mixer tap, spaces for a washing machine and tumble dryer. There is a floor mounted Worcester oil fired boiler, radiator and vinyl flooring. 

WC - 1.9m x 0.9m (6'2" x 2'11")

Double glazed window to the side aspect, consumer unit, radiator and vinyl flooring. There is a  low level WC and a wall mounted wash hand basin. 

Inner Hallway

Double glazed window to the rear aspect, winding stair case to the first floor with an under-stairs storage cupboard and a radiator. 

Sitting Room - 7.6m x 4m (24'11" x 13'1")

Double glazed windows to  the front and a double glazed and a single glazed window to the rear, exposed wooden ceiling beams, four wall mounted lights, stone fireplace and hearth with a log burner, radiator and a television aerial point. 

Office/Bedroom - 3.8m x 3.67m (12'5" x 12'0")

Door and double glazed window to the front aspect with a double glazed window to the rear aspect, recessed down lights, consumer unit, radiator and flagstone flooring. 

First Floor

Landing

Double glazed window to the rear aspect, radiator, airing cupboard with hot water cylinders and shelving, linen cupboard with shelving.

Bedroom One - 4m x 3.9m (13'1" x 12'9")

Double glazed windows to the front and rear aspects with a radiator. 

En-suite - 3.9m x 3.7m (12'9" x 12'1")

Double glazed windows to the front and rear aspects, recessed down lights, extractor fan, two radiators and a towel radiator with wooden flooring. There is a bath with shower attachment, a double shower cubicle with a mixer shower and marble tiled walls, vanity unit with a marble tops and twin wash hand basins, and a low level WC. 

Walk In Wardrobe - 2.75m x 1.8m (9'0" x 5'10")

Recessed down lights, storage units and wooden flooring. 

Bedroom Two - 3.5m x 3.3m (11'5" x 10'9")

Double glazed windows to the rear and side aspects, two wall mounted lights, radiator and exposed wooden floor boards. 

En-suite - 1.6m x 1.6m (5'2" x 5'2")

Loft hatch and vinyl flooring. There is a shower cubicle with a mixer shower over, pedestal wash hand basin and a low level WC. 

Bedroom Three - 3.9m x 3.1m (12'9" x 10'2")

Double glazed window to the front aspect and a radiator. 

Bedroom Four - 3.9m x 2.6m (12'9" x 8'6")

Double glazed window to the front aspect and a radiator. There is a loft hatch with a pull down ladder and partial boarding in the loft space. 

Bathroom - 2.6m x 1.9m (8'6" x 6'2")

Double glazed window to the side aspect, extractor fan, tiled walls, towel radiator and wooden flooring. There is a bath with a glass shower screen and a mixer shower over, vanity unit with a wash hand basin and a low level WC. 

Outbuildings

Studio - 7.93m x 4.05m (26'0" x 13'3")

Double glazed doors to the front and side,  double glazed windows and skylight windows above, vaulted ceiling, power and water, lighting and wooden flooring .

Stables - 5.92m x 4.52m (19'5" x 14'9")

There are two stables with power and light . 

Double Garage - 5.8m x 5.5m (19'0" x 18'0")

Two sets of barn style doors with an access door to the side, single glazed window to the rear aspect, power, light and concrete floors. There is a floor above with a stairway, light and wooden floorboards. 

Gardens

Adjacent to the drive is a large expanse of lawn with borders of mature trees and shrubs and a timber summerhouse. offering a lovely sunny spot to sit and enjoy the garden. There is a high stone wall which gives privacy and respite and will hold the summer sun’s warmth making it a great area for gardening 

A tall hedge with arch and gate separates the driveway from the house and formal front garden. To the front of the house is a pathway leading to the front door, kitchen and office. The path also leads up to the front gate which opens onto the lane. At the front of the house, steps lead up to the formal gardens which are enclosed by neatly clipped box hedging and feature cottage style garden. An arch leads to an area of lawn with raised vegetable beds and fruit trees including apple, plum and greengage.   

To the side of the house is a garden area with a tree line which has been used for compost and cuttings. The path continues to the rear of the house with a further area of lawn and patio area next to the dining area in the kitchen/ dining room, making the perfect spot for outdoor furniture and entertaining.

Driveway 

Accessed from the lane to the eastern side of the house, laid to gravel and can accommodate around eight cars dependant on size. 

Paddocks

Across the lane, a hundred or so metres away with a metal five bar gate and hedge borders are two paddocks in a L-shape which measure in total around 4.05 acres, each with wooden field shelters and a water supply. 

Agents Notes

Kindly note some items mentioned or seen in the photographs may not be included in the property, please check with the Property Agent. For further information or details about this property please visit. nigelfudge.exp.uk.com 

EPC = E, Council Tax Band – G (£4013.50) – Bath & Northeast Somerset, Services - Mains electricity, Mains water, Septic tank,  Oil Heating. Freehold property. Built in the 18th Century.

Quote Ref NF0664