Winscombe Hill, Winscombe

A beautifully appointed and meticulously renovated detached period home, set in an enchanting sheltered position on Winscombe Hill. The first record of a property on the site dates back to 1630, with the earliest known record of 'The Knoll' appearing sometime between 1695 to 1743. The house has undergone many improvements over the years with the most significant addition being that of a romantic 'Arts and Crafts' style front facade completed in the 1930's.

Occupying a private yet not isolated position 'The Knoll' sits resplendently on the hillside with its painted elevations, clay tiled roof and beautiful stained glass windows. The property is surrounded by nature with the backdrop of ancient woodland creating a hugely evocative first impression. The property is also blessed to be within easy reach of the excellent local amenities and schools that Winscombe has to offer as well as miles and miles of meandering National Trust footpaths and bridleways.

The property offers approximately 2,000 sq ft of versatile accommodation to which our current owners have made many superb alterations including re-sighting the original position of the kitchen to the front of the house, in order to take full advantage of the wonderful views.

Entering the property there is a useful entrance porch ideal for de-camping dirty boots and cloaks that continues into an impressive entrance hallway which features a Victorian tessellated floor and a superb restored vintage radiator. To the right of the hallway is a charming sitting room with a beautiful fireplace with a paved hearth and brick surrounds, the fireplace is inset with a cast iron wood-burner ideal for taking the chill of the winters evening. To the front of the room leaded stained glass windows add further opulence and character.  To the left of the entrance hallway is the truly magnificent kitchen/breakfast room, the kitchen is fitted with a substantial range of bespoke solid wood units which are complimented by an appealing quartz counter top. The kitchen features an integrated larder style fridge/freezer, dishwasher and range cooker. There is a large island unit ideal for informal dining and entertaining guests and a beautiful limestone floor complete with underfloor heating. Within the room there is more than enough space for a breakfast/dining table an a lovely outlook over the front garden. Beyond the kitchen is a second reception room which is currently utilised as a music/family room, the room benefits from the same beautiful limestone flooring as the kitchen and has a wonderful dual aspect, along with a superb feature fireplace with a wood surround and open grate. 

To the rear of the house is a further reception/dining room which is showered in excellent natural light from the south facing windows and additional well placed Velux's. A slightly more contemporary feeling room there is a traditional oak herringbone floor, wood burning stove and chic whitewashed walls.  To one end of the dining room is a large utility room which also hosts the boiler and also useful storage whilst to the other end is a luxurious bathroom complete with a claw foot bath, classic white suite, slate tiled floor and a cool metro tiled splashback. 

On the first floor you will find the properties four bedrooms and a further shower room off a lovely split galleried landing. The master bedroom looks out over the rear garden as does bedroom four, with bedrooms two and three looking out over the front lawn with views beyond. All the rooms are tastefully decorated in soft muted tones and quality carpets. The shower room which can be found on the half landing is another alluring room with a luxurious level of finish, it has a large walk in shower with a rainfall showerhead, metro tiled walls and smart white suite.

Outside the garden surrounds the property to all sides and has been skilfully nurtured to allow wild flowers to sit alongside both native and non native trees and plants. There are areas of full sun including a wonderful recently completed decked area and also areas that are  sheltered by the surrounding trees. It really is a truly evocative and magical spot, perfect for outside entertaining but also nicely manageable with good delineated lawned areas interspersed with paths, mature beds and seating areas. There is a range of outbuildings including two workshop rooms with power and water, store room and detached garage set along the road at the end of the garden and a large tarmac area offering generous off street parking. 

Whilst under our current owners tenure the property has undertaken numerous improvements including extensive damp proofing, under floor heating in parts, replaced central heating (including refurbishing 100 year old radiators), re-sighted the original kitchen, installed mains electricity to the garage, additional insulation to some walls and ceilings.

As mentioned the property is conveniently positioned in a wonderfully rural location, with great access to Winscombe High Street, and Sidcot and Churchill schools and very good access to transport routes, both to Bristol, Bath and Wells and to the M5 motorway. It really is the best of both worlds, a sheltered rural position, with great access to everything, not least, for lovers of walking or equestrian pursuits, that beautiful surrounding countryside. 

SITUATION

The North Somerset village of Winscombe was recently placed as the second best place in Britain to raise a family by family investment firm OneFamily (survey in 2015) and is nestled in the beautiful Mendip countryside within commuting distance of Bristol. Its atmosphere is one of bustling activity, with a variety of shops, professional offices and community facilities including church, doctor and primary school ( Winscombe is in the Churchill Academy and Sixth Form Centre ( catchment area for secondary education, which has recently been awarded 'Outstanding' by Ofsted and also benefits from a modern sports complex, and there is also a dry ski slope nearby. Private sector schooling is also close by at Sidcot and the Downs School at Wraxall is within easy reach. Country activities available within the area include horse-riding, walking on the Mendips and sailing on Axbridge Reservoir, and there are also several excellent golf courses in the area. The lovely cathedral city of Wells is a drive away, as is the famous beauty spot, Cheddar Gorge. As mentioned, Winscombe is within commuting distance of Bristol but also has good access to the seaside town of Weston-super-Mare and the M5 at junction 21 to travel north or junction 22 to travel south. There is an international airport at Lulsgate and access to a mainline railway station at Weston.

DIRECTIONS

Travelling on the A38 from Bristol, proceed past Sidcot School and through the traffic lights onto Bridgwater Road. Pass Sidcot school playing fields on your right hand side and continue past the Hotel on the left hand side. Proceed for a further half a mile or so up the hill passing the garage on your right hand side, take the turning immediately after the garage to the right which is signposted Winscombe Hill, continue past the National Trust parking area and along the lane for another half a mile of so passing Winscombe Hall along the way. As you start to descend down the hollow you will find a large parking area to the left with the Knoll sat just above.