Kilve, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5

Fine & Country are delighted to present Old Rectory House, an exceptional former rectory occupying an idyllic position at the foot of the Quantock Hills, a short walk from the coast. Set within c7.4 acres, this impressive country residence offers an outstanding and highly versatile family home, with extensive guest accommodation and exceptional leisure facilities. For those seeking an income opportunity, the property also offers the potential to continue its established and highly distinctive holiday and wellbeing business.

Old Rectory House enjoys a wonderfully private setting approached off a peaceful country lane with breathtaking views over farmland towards the sea and Welsh coastline. The handsome and imposing main house offers beautifully proportioned seven bedroom accommodation arranged over three floors, sympathetically improved to provide comfortable modern living whilst preserving the architectural character and elegance of its period origins.

Throughout the house, a wealth of original features creates a wonderful sense of history and grandeur, including numerous fireplaces, tall sash-style windows with shutters and window seats, decorative moulded cornicing, deep skirtings and exposed timber floors. Generous reception rooms and substantial bedroom accommodation make this an outstanding family home in its own right, with the scale and flexibility to accommodate both family life and entertaining.

The house is surrounded by approximately 7.4 acres of wonderfully varied grounds, comprising formal gardens and lawns, paddocks, a wildflower meadow and woodland together with an attractive pond creating an exceptionally private and secluded environment.

Over recent years, the current owners have thoughtfully developed the estate into a successful and highly regarded retreat and private event venue, creating a collection of beautifully conceived guest accommodation and wellbeing facilities which sit separately from the main house and complement its peaceful country setting.

Guest accommodation is provided by a beautifully renovated 3 bedroom cottage, a separate self-contained annexe and three award winning luxury shepherd's huts, together accommodating up to 14 guests. The cottages also offer considerable flexibility and could be equally well suited to independent accommodation for extended family or multi-generational living.

At the heart of the wellbeing offering is a dedicated studio and luxurious spa, complete with a heated swimming pool, cedar hot tub and treatment room, creating a wonderfully calm and restorative environment.

Within the woodland lies a further sanctuary designed to embrace its natural surroundings, incorporating a kitchen and banqueting hall together with a wood fired hot tub, sauna and ice baths. It is an enchanting setting for retreats, private gatherings and outdoor experiences, with superb views towards the sea and Welsh coastline with the surrounding woodland providing a memorable backdrop.

The property presents an exciting opportunity for purchasers wishing to continue and potentially expand the existing retreat, holiday and event business, with scope to further develop turnover if desired. Equally, its great appeal lies in its versatility. New owners may choose to operate the business on a more limited basis or simply enjoy the additional accommodation and exceptional leisure facilities for themselves, their family and guests.

* SELLERS INSIGHT

“Old Rectory House has been our home for the past ten years. What first drew us here was our desire to leave London and find a beautiful country home where we could create a multi-generational family life. When we arrived here and saw the sea views. We immediately thought, this is the one. In many ways, the house sold itself.”

“The cottage where my mum lived was completely renovated, with everything renewed, and it has become a real showstopper. The triple garage has been transformed into a beautiful yoga space, the pool has been updated, and we added three stunning shepherd huts, finished to a really luxurious standard. They have become a wonderful feature and have also provided us with a business that is incredibly easy to manage.”

“Our favourite room in the house has always been the kitchen. We love to cook and spend time together, and the AGA makes it such a warm and inviting room - not just for us, but for the cats, who can usually be found curled up beside it! It is a wonderfully sociable space, with the room running from the front to the back of the house.”

“Outside is where the magic is - the garden is peaceful and the sunsets over the sea during the summer are something we will never take for granted. We have worked hard to make the most of those incredible views, creating lots of different seating areas and decks where you can sit and enjoy them.”

“There is so much wildlife here too. We keep chickens, goats and sheep, and even have a resident woodpecker. We created a wildflower meadow and have tried to work with the natural beauty of the land rather than against it. We added wood-fired saunas and hot tubs, and deep in the woodland there is a beautiful banquet space, designed by a wood artist, with incredible sea views. There are different little areas and surprises throughout the garden and every part of it has its own character and purpose.”

“It is a home that was made for entertaining. With fires in almost every room, it is particularly magical at Christmas, when the whole house feels incredibly cosy. We have had New Year's Eve parties in the woodland banquet space, and with heating now added there, it has become somewhere we can enjoy throughout the year.”

“It is a wonderfully quiet and friendly community. We have made some amazing friends and loved becoming part of village life. There is always something happening, from the village pub and hall to the annual festival at the cricket club, craft club, golf society, yoga and coffee mornings.”

“What we will miss most is the space, the views and the closeness to the beach. We have loved this garden so much, and our children have too. They have grown up here surrounded by nature, learning to care for animals, exploring the woodland, playing outside and simply having the freedom to be children. They have been so safe, so happy and so at home here.”

* These comments are the personal views of the current owner and are included as an insight into life at the property. They have not been independently verified, should not be relied on without verification and do not necessarily reflect the views of the agent.

ACCOMMODATION

A recessed entrance porch with a part glazed door opens into an inviting reception hall, immediately setting the tone for the character and generous proportions found throughout the house. A handsome stone fireplace with living flame gas fire provides an attractive focal point, while tiled flooring continues through to an inner hall, off which is a cloakroom fitted with a contemporary white and chrome suite.

The principal reception rooms form an impressive and wonderfully versatile sequence of living and entertaining spaces. The elegant double aspect drawing room is particularly appealing, with deep shuttered windows incorporating window seats, timber flooring and a fireplace with inset woodburning stove. Adjoining is the equally charming double aspect dining room, again featuring deep windows with seating, timber flooring and a fireplace with woodburning stove, creating a warm and characterful setting for both formal and relaxed dining.

Bi fold doors from the drawing room open into the library/games room, providing a superb additional reception space equally suited to quiet relaxation or entertaining. Fitted shelving lines the room, complemented by an open fireplace and a shuttered bay with a door opening directly onto the rear terrace and gardens, creating a lovely connection between the house and its outside spaces.

At the heart of the home is the superb family room and kitchen/breakfast room, an expansive and sociable space designed for everyday family life and entertaining. The family area is beautifully light, with its double aspect complemented by a shuttered bay window and a door opening onto the terrace and gardens. A substantial fireplace with inset woodburning stove adds further character and provides a natural focal point to the room.

The kitchen/breakfast area is fitted with a bespoke range of cabinetry complemented by slate effect work surfaces and a stainless steel double bowl, double drainer sink with Quooker tap. Appliances include an integrated Miele oven and gas hob, while a traditional oil fired four oven Aga sits comfortably alongside the contemporary fittings. There is also plumbing for a dishwasher, together with part tiled surrounds and practical vinyl tiled flooring.

Opening from the kitchen is a double glazed conservatory with tiled flooring, offering another attractive place to sit and enjoy views over the gardens.

Completing the ground floor accommodation are a well equipped utility room and separate boot room, both fitted with Belfast sinks and tiled flooring, with doors providing convenient access to the outside. Together, these practical spaces complement the more formal accommodation and are particularly well suited to country living.

Arranged across the first floor are six generously proportioned bedrooms, each enjoying its own individual outlook, with views extending over the gardens, surrounding countryside or towards the coast. The bedrooms are served by five bathrooms, three of which are en-suite, each individually appointed and with a character of its own.

From the first floor landing, a further staircase rises to the second floor, where the accommodation offers considerable flexibility. Here there is an additional double bedroom or study, together with a bathroom and a useful L shaped studio/work room. This wonderfully versatile space features a vaulted beamed ceiling and painted exposed floorboards, creating a room of real character that could lend itself to a variety of uses, whether as a studio, creative workspace, games room or additional family accommodation.

GUEST ACCOMMODATION

Meadow House

Set discreetly away from the main residence and arranged off the entrance forecourt, Meadow House is a beautifully presented two storey cottage offering attractive and versatile guest accommodation.

The centrally heated interior includes a cosy sitting room, a well appointed kitchen/breakfast room fitted with an integrated oven, hob and dishwasher, together with a separate dining room. Also on the ground floor is a double bedroom with en-suite shower room, providing particularly convenient accommodation for guests.

On the first floor are two further double bedrooms, both enhanced by vaulted ceilings, together with a bathroom and separate W.C.

Meadow House enjoys its own private lawned garden with a covered timber decked seating area, creating a delightful space for outdoor dining and relaxation whilst taking full advantage of the wonderful views towards the sea.

THE ANNEXE

Adjoining Meadow House is a self-contained annexe, arranged as an attractive first floor studio style apartment. The open plan accommodation has considerable character, with a vaulted beamed ceiling and kitchenette equipped with an integrated oven, microwave and fridge. A separate shower room with W.C. completes the accommodation.

YOGA STUDIO

Adjoining the holiday accommodation and converted from former garaging is a superb yoga studio, providing a generous and highly versatile space suitable for a variety of leisure and wellbeing uses. Features include a woodburning stove and practical vinyl flooring, with access opening onto a private rear courtyard. The studio is equally suitable as a gym, games room or home office.

Off the courtyard is a useful washroom with W.C., Belfast sink and plumbing for a washing machine.

SHEPHERD'S HUTS

Positioned privately within the grounds are three beautifully appointed, individually styled shepherd's huts, each offering its own distinctive character and an appealing sense of seclusion.

Finished to a high standard, each hut has a woodburning stove and its own separate shower room with W.C. The huts are set within their own garden areas, thoughtfully arranged to provide privacy and create an intimate connection with the surrounding countryside.

Outside, each has its own seating and relaxation space, complemented by wood fired tin baths and a fire pit, with wonderful uninterrupted views extending across the adjoining fields towards the sea. Together they create a memorable and highly individual guest experience in an exceptional setting.

SWIMMING POOL & TREATMENT COMPLEX

A particularly impressive feature of the property is the private leisure complex, centred around a heated outdoor swimming pool ranging in depth from approximately 0.95m to 2.15m.

The pool, which has undergone a comprehensive refurbishment including a new year round heating system is surrounded by new paved terracing and complemented by an external shower and cedar hot tub beneath a timber pergola. Mature trees and walled boundaries provide a high degree of privacy, creating a wonderfully secluded environment for relaxation.

The adjoining pool house provides excellent supporting facilities, including a fitted kitchen, an attractive timber panelled treatment room, tiled shower room, separate W.C. and plant room.

WOODLAND KITCHEN & WELLNESS COMPLEX

One of the most distinctive features of the property is the woodland kitchen and wellness complex. Tucked within a small area of woodland and approached along a gravelled pathway through a wildflower meadow, this imaginative collection of timber buildings has been thoughtfully created to provide an exceptional outdoor entertaining and wellbeing space.

At its heart is a fitted stainless steel kitchen with a fire pit and informal seating area. An open sided, timber decked dining area provides a wonderful setting for al fresco entertaining, with far reaching views across the surrounding landscape and sea towards the Welsh coastline.

A raised and covered timber deck accommodates a wood fired hot tub, two tin ice baths, and external shower to include a cold water drench bucket. A sauna, changing area and W.C. complete this highly individual complex, creating a superb environment in which to entertain, unwind and enjoy the exceptional setting.

GARDENS & GROUNDS

The property stands within approximately 7.4 acres of beautifully varied gardens and grounds, incorporating formal lawns, paddocks, wildflower meadow and woodland. A network of pathways wind through the gardens and grounds connecting the various areas and providing attractive walks through the property. There is also the feature of an attractive pond which is located opposite the property in Sea Lane.

Approached from Sea Lane through double timber entrance gates, a brick paved driveway opens onto a generous forecourt providing excellent parking and turning facilities. A tree lined gravelled pathway leads through the walled front garden to the main house, creating an appealing sense of arrival.

Access extends around both sides of the house to the rear, where a private terrace runs along the elevation and provides an ideal setting for outdoor dining and entertaining. Beyond are generous formal lawns incorporating an orchard and former tennis court, with the grounds becoming progressively more informal as they extend away from the house.

Within the gardens are a substantial timber workshop/store, polytunnel and chicken run, adding practical facilities to the extensive outside space.

Two adjoining fields provide an attractive setting for the three shepherd's huts and also accommodate a field shelter and barn. The barn benefits from separate vehicular access directly from Sea Lane, providing additional flexibility and convenience.

Taken as a whole, the gardens, grounds and extensive ancillary accommodation create an exceptionally versatile environment, equally suited to private family enjoyment, entertaining and the continuation of the property's established holiday and wellbeing offering.

INFORMATION

TENURE
Freehold

SERVICES
Mains electric, drainage and water. Oil fired central heating to the main house.
From our office in Minehead proceed on the A39 passing through the villages of Carhampton, Bilbrook and Washford. On entering Williton turn left at the mini roundabout, sign posted Bridgwater and proceed for approximately 4 miles on the A39. On entering the village of Kilve, passing the Hood Arms on your left, take the next turning left into Sea Lane. Follow the lane for approximately a mile where the property will be found on the left hand side