Stoke St. Mary, Taunton

A stunning Grade II Listed five bedroom village house with self-contained 2 bedroom cottage, tennis court, swimming pool and extensive garaging, set in beautiful and secluded gardens and grounds of about 2½ acres.

The property

This stunning Grade II Listed village house provides spacious five bedroom accommodation of immense charm and character that exhibits a wealth of features typical of its period, including inglenook fireplaces, exposed timbers and flagstone flooring. The house is believed to date from the 16th Century and was probably remodelled and enlarged during the Georgian period so that it includes features typical of that period, including an elegant galleried reception hall with balustraded staircase and polished handrail and a sash windows The accommodation provides great flexibility as to use, including 4 reception rooms and a kitchen/breakfast room that opens directly to the garden. The self-contained cottage could be incorporated into the accommodation if so required or alternatively used as offices for those wishing to work from home. The property is well presented and has electric heating. It enjoys a good orientation with the main rooms overlooking the private gardens which enjoy a south westerly aspect. The gardens have been well maintained by the current owners who have been in residence for some 44 years and during that time they have constructed a tennis court and swimming pool. The gardens afford the house a wonderful setting and a good deal of privacy.

Aplens Cottage

This is an ideal property for a dependent relative, or for those looking for a property to generate an income. The current owners have successfully let the cottage as a holiday cottage for many years. It provides 2 bedrooms a sitting room, kitchen and bathroom.

Outside

The gardens and grounds at Aplens are a stunning feature of the property and provide it with a wonderful setting and a high level of privacy. The current owners have created a stunning garden, stocked with an abundance of specimen shrubs and trees. The property is approached from the lane over a tarmacadammed driveway, giving access to a parking and turning area adjacent to the property.

The property is offered with an excellent range of garaging, including a detached double garage with electric roller door, further double garage/storage shed again with roller door, whilst a tree lined avenue of horse chestnuts gives access to a further four car garage and workshop plus timber framed double garage/shed. This is specially equipped for maintenance and restoration of cars and now provides an excellent facility for all car enthusiasts. There is a heating system, dehumidifier and a four post hydraulic lift, with ample storage including a loft area. Subject to any necessary consents, this building has many potential uses.

The driveway is flanked by mature shrub borders with numerous specimen trees with lawn beyond, again interspersed and planted with numerous specimen shrubs and trees. Within this area of the garden there is a tennis court and swimming pool. The pool has a patterned concrete surround with a summerhouse/pool house and affords lovely views over the garden. This area of garden adjoins woodland (not owned) which provides a wonderful backdrop to the property.

The rear gardens provide a wonderful south westerly aspect and are fully enclosed by mature hedging and afford the gardens a high level of privacy. There are wonderful views towards the church and glimpsed views towards the Blackdown Hills. This garden is a huge credit to the current owners, laid predominantly to lawn with inset flower and shrub borders together with numerous specimen trees. A paved pathway/terrace runs adjacent to the property, affording a number of attractive sitting/dining out areas. The elevation of the house is enhanced by a Wisteria, Fig Tree, Magnolia and climbing Hydrangea. Situated in the garden are a number of useful outbuildings, including a thatched potting shed/store, further mower shed and brick base cedar wood greenhouse.
 Situation

Aplens enjoys a particularly attractive location in the centre of this sought after village, adjacent to the church and within walking distance of all the village amenities. Stoke St Mary has a village hall, whilst the nearby village of Thurlbear has a highly regarded primary school. Stoke St Mary lies at the foot of the Blackdown Hills which have been designated an area of outstanding natural beauty and they provide miles of footpaths and bridleways, ideal for those with walking and riding interests. Whilst enjoying a semi-rural location, the property is by no way remotely situated as Taunton is some 3 miles away, whilst Junction 25 of the M5 Motorway is also a similar distance. Alternatively, the A358 provides convenient access to the A303 to the south at Ilminster, giving alternative access to London or further into the West Country. Taunton has a main line railway station with links to London Paddington, taking approximately 1 hour 45 minutes on selected fast trains. The international airports of Exeter and Bristol are also within an hour's drive. Taunton, the County Town of Somerset has an excellent shopping centre with many well-known high street stores, with reputable state schools as well as three highly regarded independent private schools. 

Additional Information –Tenure: Freehold
Estate/Management Charge: None
EPC Rating: Exempt
Council Tax Band: G

UTILITIES
Water supply: Mains
Sewerage: Mains
Electricity Supply: Mains
Central Heating: Electric

FLOODING
Flood Information: flood-map-for-planning.service.gov.uk/location

BROADBAND & MOBILE COVERAGE
For an indication of specific speeds and supply or coverage in the area, we recommend that potential buyers use the Ofcom checkers below:
checker.ofcom.org.uk/en-gb/mobile-coverage
checker.ofcom.org.uk/en-gb/broadband-coverage