Nailsea - a significant Grade II listed period farmohouse with an extensive level garden

Mizzymead Farm is a house woven deeply into the history of Nailsea. Believed to date from the late sixteenth century, with origins thought to reach back as far as the reign of Henry VIII, this remarkable Grade II listed Tudor period farmhouse represents one of the town’s oldest and most historically significant surviving homes.

Approached discreetly at the head of a quiet cul de sac, the property reveals itself gradually. Ancient stone walls, gravelled approaches and a sheltered courtyard create an immediate sense of arrival, while the mellow character of the house speaks quietly of centuries past. Only a handful of properties of such great antiquity still stand in Nailsea, largely because the original village was very small, with scattered farms and cottages lying to the south of Silver Street, and Mizzymead Farm was certainly one of the most significant of those holdings and has a well-documented history that includes many well known local families.

During the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, the house and its estate was owned by Sir Edward Nevill and his descendants, with the ownership passing by 1719 to the Tynte family, who gave their name to nearby Tyntesfield Court. In 1788, John Robert Lucas an early industrialist who developed Nailsea’s famous glassworks, owned The Mizzymead Estate, but by 1816 though still owned by Lucas, the property was now rented to Richard Banwell. In 1828 ownership of the estate passed to John Lucas’s daughter and her husband, with later ownership passing to the Rodbard Trustees, who by the late 1890’s were landlords to the Wyatt family, the next owners of the farm. The Wyatts farmed here until the 1950’s but retained the house until 1986 when it was sold to the previous owners, who in turn passed the ownership to our clients.

Today, the house has evolved into an immensely comfortable and atmospheric family home, carefully improved by the present owners since 2012. Their thoughtful renovations have preserved the integrity and charm of the original farmhouse while creating wonderfully practical living spaces suited perfectly to modern life.

The accommodation unfolds with a natural and unforced flow, full of warmth and charm. Exposed beams, deep sill windows and beautifully proportioned rooms combine to create interiors of genuine comfort. The principal reception rooms are particularly impressive, generous yet welcoming spaces designed equally for relaxed family living and larger-scale entertaining.

The through reception hall opens to both the courtyard area and the gardens, with excellent natural storage space and a cloakroom-shower room beyond.

The sitting room enjoys a delightfully bright outlook across the south-facing gardens, with French doors opening directly onto the terrace and sunlight drawing through the room throughout the day. Exposed ceiling timbers and a fireplace with a wood-burning stove inset add richness and character, while the adjoining staircase hall leads naturally into a superb dining room with its striking moulded beam ceiling and wonderfully intimate atmosphere. Beyond, the stunning family room provides a more contemporary living space that blends seamlessly with the character of the house and draws the accommodation into the garden, connecting effortlessly with the terraces and landscaped grounds beyond.

At the heart of the house lies a superb kitchen-breakfast room, comprehensively fitted and designed for everyday family life, with generous cabinetry and a large island. Perfect for socialising and informal dining, it offers integrated appliances and extensive preparation space with quartz work surfaces. A range cooker is set into a former fireplace, and the spacious adjoining utility room adds a further level of practicality with a suite of cabinets matching the kitchen and additional deep built-in storage cupboards.

The final reception room is currently arranged as an exceptional home office or study; however, the space would work equally well as an additional sitting room, snug, studio or playroom.

Upstairs, the sense of character continues. The principal bedroom suite enjoys its own spacious en suite bathroom and dressing room with wall-to-wall wardrobes, while the remaining bedrooms each possess individual charm with exposed beams, sloping ceilings and deep-set windows overlooking the gardens. The accommodation balances period character with practicality beautifully, offering versatile family living without compromise – a rare attribute in a house of this antiquity.

Outside
The gardens provide an unexpectedly tranquil setting extending to almost a quarter of an acre. Carefully landscaped for ease of maintenance, the gardens, which are predominantly arranged to the south of the house, combine broad level terraces framing a sweep of lawn with ornamental planting, wide linking pathways and peaceful seating areas. Designed for relaxing long into the evening, the garden takes full advantage of the gloriously sunny position and offers a high degree of privacy, with only the tennis club and a single bungalow to the south ensuring an open aspect. A raised koi pond is positioned to one side of the south terrace, while a central permanent garden table complete with monolithic timber stools provides a striking focal point overlooking the garden.

On the opposite side of the house there is a walled courtyard complete with a well, beyond which lies the gravelled driveway and forecourt.

On the west side of the house, the 21’7” x 9’3” attached former dairy offers valuable storage — effectively providing much of what most would ordinarily require from a garage. Subject to any necessary permissions, there also remains excellent potential within the grounds for the construction of a detached double garage if desired, given the access available to the west of the house.

Photographs
See more photographs on our website.

Energy Performance & Construction, Services & Outgoings
The house has been assessed for energy performance and has attained a Band D-65 rating, well above the national average for England and Wales. The Council Tax band is G. All mains services are connected. FTH broadband is available. Cable TV and broadband are also available.

Mortgages & Finance
There is a bewildering array of funding options for this property. Our fully qualified independent financial advisor (I.F.A.), Graham will be pleased to provide FREE, impartial advice as you need it. Please call Janet Stirling at Hensons on , who will arrange this for you.

The Town & Connections to Bristol, Bath and London
Still affectionately referred to by many as “the village”, Nailsea enjoys a rare balance of thriving community life and exceptional convenience. The smallest of North Somerset’s four principal towns, it remains one of the most sought-after locations for those seeking straightforward access to Bristol, lying just eight miles from the city whilst retaining an altogether more relaxed pace of life.

The town offers an excellent range of everyday amenities, including both Waitrose and Tesco supermarkets, a pedestrianised shopping centre blending well-known national retailers with independent businesses, professional services, health centres, dental practices and a modern leisure complex with gym facilities. A growing café culture together with a number of well-regarded pubs and restaurants — including the acclaimed White Truffle restaurant — further enhances the appeal of the town centre, while good schooling for all ages, including a sixth form at Nailsea School, is available.  

Nailsea also retains a strong sense of community, with regular farmers’ markets, seasonal food festivals and numerous local events contributing to its increasingly vibrant atmosphere.

Surrounded by the attractive countryside of North Somerset, the town is exceptionally well positioned for both leisure and commuting alike. The nearby SUSTRANS cycle network provides scenic routes towards Bristol and the surrounding countryside, while Junctions 19 and 20 of the M5 are both within six miles, offering straightforward access to the national motorway network.

For those travelling further afield, Nailsea & Backwell mainline station lies within easy reach and provides direct services to Bristol, Bath, Filton Abbey Wood and London Paddington, making the area particularly attractive to commuters seeking a balance between country living and city accessibility.

Despite its peaceful setting, Mizzymead Farm is clearly exceptionally well placed, and rarely does a property combine such historical significance, architectural character and practical family living so successfully. Mizzymead Farm is not simply an old house but a home of immense atmosphere and provenance – a deeply special period property whose story has unfolded over centuries and will continue for the next fortunate owners.

Viewing:
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