Court Cottages, Norton Fitzwarren, Taunton, Somerset

This charming 1930s cottage is a home with real personality, combining original period details with a long list of carefully considered improvements both inside and out. Set back behind a large front garden with driveway parking for three cars, it has an attractive sense of space from the moment you arrive.

An entrance porch opens into the hallway, with the lounge positioned at the front of the house. This is a warm and welcoming room, centred around a large, newly installed wood-burning stove that gives the space a wonderfully cosy feel. Character details found throughout the home, including Bakelite light switches, provide a lovely reminder of its 1930s heritage.

Across the rear of the house is the kitchen/diner, a bright and sociable space with plenty of room for a dining table and direct access out to the garden. The British-made bespoke kitchen has been thoughtfully designed, with fitted cabinetry complemented by open shelving, clever Magic Corner storage and an integrated dishwasher. It is a kitchen that feels individual to the house rather than simply fitted into it, with good storage and a practical layout for everyday life.

Upstairs are two well-proportioned bedrooms, with the main bedroom stretching across the front of the cottage and offering an excellent amount of space. The second bedroom overlooks the rear and works equally well as a comfortable bedroom, guest room or home office, while the family bathroom completes the first floor.

Outside is where an already lovely home really comes into its own. The rear garden has been professionally designed and landscaped from top to bottom, creating a fantastic space for relaxing, entertaining and spending time outdoors. Premium porcelain paving sits alongside a newly laid lawn, Scottish cobbled gabion walls, bespoke log stores and new fencing, giving the garden a smart, contemporary finish while retaining plenty of warmth and character.

It is the attention to detail behind the landscaping that makes the garden particularly impressive. Dimmable spotlights and feature lantern lighting create a great atmosphere after dark, while multiple outdoor sockets have been installed, including dedicated power for future patio heaters or other outdoor appliances. There is also an Ethernet connection ready for an outdoor TV or entertainment area, with Wi-Fi connectivity extending right through to the rear of the garden.

Even keeping everything looking its best has been made easier, thanks to a Rain Bird smart irrigation system with five independent watering zones. The lawn, planting and trees can all be watered at the touch of a button through the app.

At the end of the garden is a brand-new garage/man cave that adds a genuinely useful extra space. With Wi-Fi, lighting and multiple power sockets throughout, it could become a gym, workshop, home office, hobby room or entertainment space depending on what the next owner needs.

There is also a separate fully renovated utility outbuilding/laundry room, complete with a new roof, window and door and a porcelain tiled floor. It is another practical addition that helps keep laundry and household jobs separate from the main living accommodation.

What makes this cottage stand out is the balance it strikes. There is still plenty of 1930s charm and individuality, but the current owners have invested heavily in the areas that make a difference to everyday living. From the bespoke kitchen and log burner to the landscaped garden, smart irrigation, outdoor connectivity and versatile outbuildings, there is an impressive amount going on behind its characterful exterior.

Owners Love: "Our favourite feature is the garden. Blood sweat and tears have gone into making it the way it is. It has been designed with so much thought, and with the lighting, landscaping, entertaining areas and garden room, it genuinely feels like an extension of the house.”

James Loves: “I love the character of the cottage and how cosy it feels, especially with the log burner, its great to see a property preserving so much of its heritage"