Tory, Bradford on Avon, BA15

There is something about this part of Bradford on Avon that makes you want to stay a little longer. Perhaps it is the elevated position, the changing light across the rooftops or the feeling of being part of a hillside community while remaining close to everything the town has to offer.

This Grade II listed Georgian maisonette occupies the ground and first floors of a characterful period building, with two double bedrooms, a wood burning stove and a decked garden with spectacular views across Bradford on Avon. It is a home with a strong sense of place, where the outlook and the way the rooms are used throughout the day become part of everyday life.

The ground floor has a natural rhythm to it. The sitting room is a comfortable retreat, particularly in the colder months, when the wood burning stove is lit and the stone walls help create a cosy atmosphere. In summer, the same room stays refreshingly cool, offering somewhere to escape the heat before heading back outside.

Beyond this, the kitchen and dining area bring cooking and eating together in one practical space. There is room to prepare a proper meal, sit down at the table and enjoy an unhurried breakfast before the day begins. Underfloor heating in the kitchen adds comfort underfoot, while the combination of the traditional building and thoughtful improvements including secondary glazing makes the house a pleasure to return to.

Upstairs both double bedrooms have good natural light with the slightly different feel of the upper floor adding to the character of the home. The second bedroom has become a favourite place to spend an afternoon thanks to its window seat and the view beyond. It is easy to imagine working from home here with fast broadband and a quiet place to concentrate or simply settling down with a book, some knitting or the radio on in the background.

The bathroom sits between the bedrooms and includes a bath, overhead shower and underfloor heating. The house is heated by a combi boiler, with radiators downstairs providing warmth when needed. The existing improvements have been chosen to make the most of the building rather than change its character.

Then there is the garden which is much more than an outdoor space to look at. The deck catches the morning sun which stays until around four in the afternoon and gives you somewhere to eat, read, garden or have friends over. Breakfast can move outside on a fine morning while lunch and dinner often follow when the weather allows. There is space to gather around the table with friends to enjoy a drink in the evening or find a quieter spot beside the wall with a book. The more central part of the deck feels connected to the wider hillside while the sheltered spot beside the wall offers a little more privacy.

The position is another part of the appeal. Bradford on Avon is a town that rewards getting out on foot, whether that means walking down the hill into the centre, stopping at Arlo’s on Market Street for coffee or heading to Timbrell’s Yard or Ravello's for a meal. Everyday shopping is straightforward with options including the two Co-ops nearby and Sainsbury’s along the canal. Bath is within easy reach by bus, train or car and the surrounding countryside offers a variety of lovely longer walks.

For those who enjoy walking, the routes towards Belcombe and Avoncliff, along the river to Freshford and back beside the canal are particularly rewarding. Widbrook Wood offers another way to spend an afternoon outdoors. There is a real sense of having both town and countryside close at hand without needing to make a day of either.

The location also works well for someone who travels regularly works locally or commutes into Bath. The house has been comfortable when left unoccupied for periods and the heating can be set to an away mode. Local schools are within walking distance although the surrounding roads can become busy around school times and rush hour.

This is a home that will appeal to someone who values character over uniformity, a view over a larger but less personal space and the freedom to enjoy a town with an active community. It could suit a professional working from home, a single owner or couple looking to put down roots in Bradford on Avon or someone who wants to remain connected to local life without relying on a car for every journey.

What stays with you is the combination of light, outlook and outdoor living. The seller fell for the house on the first viewing and after four and a half years it is the view, the deck and the people who make up this hillside community that will be hardest to leave. I also love the comfortable spaces in the house, summer or winter

Please note: External & garden shots have been digitally enhanced using AI to demonstrate the property's lighting potential. Original daytime photographs are included in the gallery.