High Kingsdown, Bristol

This three-bedroom mid-century house sits on the multi-award winning High Kingsdown Estate in Bristol. Wonderfully renovated, it maximises light, flow and functionality, using clean lines and natural materials to uphold the home’s period feel. Outside is a west-facing garden, accessed via banks of south-west-facing glazing that also draws in a beautiful quality of light.



The Tour



The High Kingsdown Estate is a peaceful part of Bristol’s Cotham neighbourhood, developed in the late 1960s with landscaped communal spaces and a pedestrian-friendly layout. The estate has been highly celebrated over the last decades, winning a Department of Environment award in 1971, International prize for architecture by the Belgium Institute in 1974, and a RIBA commendation in 1975.



Set in a quiet position, the house’s dynamic roofline cuts a quietly distinctive profile. Entry is to a porch, which passes a neat WC on the way to the open-plan living spaces.



The social heart of the home, the kitchen, living and dining room has been wonderfully executed. Engineered wooden floors extend underfoot, and full-height, grey-framed glazing opens directly to the garden. A Rais Poleo wood-burning stove has been added to create a warming focal point in the winter months.



Connected but distinct, the kitchen sits around a corner. It has gloss-white cabinetry, marble worktops and integrated appliances, including those from NEFF and Miele. The cabinetry extends to form an island or informal weeknight dining space. A trio of windows here ensure the space is bright and airy.



An original staircase ascends to the first-floor landing. All three bedrooms extend from here, with soft carpeted floors and mid-century horizontal windows that face out over the garden. The principal is especially generous, with built-in, floor-to-ceiling storage concealed by a gauzy white curtain.



Set at the far end of the upper level, the shower room has an understated feel, with marmoleum floors and white walls that amplify its natural brightness. The attic covers the full footprint of the house and is boarded.



Outdoor Space



A private, west-facing garden unfolds beyond the house, its seamless transitions making it an extension of the living space in the warmer months. A paved terrace provides plenty of space for dining, while raised beds are planted with a variety of shrubs.



The garden provides access to the garage, which is currently used as a utility room and workshop.



The Area



The house is well-positioned to explore Bristol’s brilliance. It sits close to the independent shops, cafés, and restaurants of Cotham Hill and St Michael’s Hill. Whiteladies Road and Clifton Down station are conveniently placed.



The independent food scene across the city has grown exponentially in recent years, with a diverse selection of restaurants cropping up in the centre and various neighbourhoods. Clifton Village has an excellent selection of independent cafes and restaurants, including Tradewind Espresso, Bosco Pizzeria, and Spicer + Cole. The Michelin-starred Wilsons on Chandos Road is a firm local favourite, alongside Dongnae and Little Hollows Pasta. Bravas, Pazzo, and Clifton Lido and its restaurant are all within easy walking distance, as is the Everyman cinema.



Well-served for cultural activities and annual festivals, Bristol also has a thriving art and music scene: Arnolfini and Spike Island lead a well-regarded annual programme of contemporary exhibitions and performances. The Watershed, a much-loved institution located along the harbourside, hosts talks and events alongside a programme of independent film screenings.



Highly regarded nearby schools include Cotham Gardens Primary School, Cotham School, Redland Green School, Bristol Grammar School, Clifton High School and Clifton College.



Temple Meads station is within walking distance, with the intercity rail service also easily accessible from Clifton Down, Redland or Montpelier stations, each within a 10-minute walk of the house. By car, the surrounding Somerset countryside and the Devon and Dorset coasts are easily reached, as is Bristol’s international airport.



Council Tax Band: D