A detached five bedroom house with three bathrooms, a 39’ living room and a double garage, including an adjoining annexe, built around a courtyard on the south side of the city, 1.5 miles from the centre of Bath and within easy reach of beautiful surrounding countryside.
The vendor says: “This is an incredibly spacious family home, which is single storey and built around a courtyard. It is the living room which gives the ‘wow’ factor to our house. Built in early Victorian times it is 39’ long, with a huge fire place in the centre of the room, with windows on either side of it overlooking the courtyard garden. This has been the scene of many parties and Christmas celebrations – fifty people fit comfortably in here. This part of the house has very thick walls, so it is warm in winter and cool in summer. The room has sliding doors which open out into the courtyard, so it is brilliant for summer parties as well. The living room has a stone arch leading into a spacious dining room with a feature stone wall and with Velux windows, a very light room. We have a table which seats ten in here.”
The rest of the house was built in 1970’s and joins the Victorian part of the house to wrap around the courtyard garden. The vendor says: “My favourite room is the kitchen. Situated at the back of the house it has a huge sunny picture window overlooking the back garden. You feel that you are deep in the country here; as I am cooking I can watch many different birds in the garden; we have even spotted a bird of prey! The air is fresher here, away from the fumes of the centre of town down the hill. Two bedrooms overlook the garden at the back, as well as a bathroom with bath and shower and the master’s en-suite. The master is dual aspect, so is a very sunny room, overlooking the back and side garden. The back garden is a very private space and is not overlooked by other houses. Two other bedrooms have a view of the side garden.”
“The annexe which adjoins the house is an incredibly useful space. It could be used for a rental income as although attached to the house, it is like a separate flat with its own entrance, 24’ long reception room, kitchen and bedroom and en-suite shower room. Or it could be a home office or treatment rooms, or ideal for a dependent relative or teenager’s accommodation.”
She continues: “The courtyard garden in the centre has a very Mediterranean feel. There are two palm trees, and many flowers in pots; it is lovely eating out here in the summer. The garden at the back is largely lawn, with beautiful views across the city. In front of the house we have a double garage and off street parking for 2-3 cars.”
“The location here is brilliant. We are tucked away, but only about 1.5 miles from the centre of Bath and the station with trains to London, Paddington in 85 minutes. The community of Bear Flat is 0.6 mile away, with the world renowned Menu Gordon Jones restaurant, the lively Bear pub, Da Vinci delicatessen, the Co-op, and the chemists as well as a florist and several other individual shops. There is a large Sainsbury’s at the top of the hill. We are in the catchment area of many excellent schools, both state – Beechen Cliff School, Hayesfield School, Ralph Allen as well as private schools such as the Paragon, Prior Park and Monkton Combe. There is a direct bus into the centre of town and then straight on to the Royal United Hospital which runs quarter hourly. Alexandra Park has stunning views over Bath and is a lovely park in Bear Flat. The Twin Tunnels cycle path is nearby, and we often walk along it and out into beautiful country at Midford and a good lunch at the Hope and Anchor pub. A little further on is the Wellow Trekking Centre, an idyllically located riding school. In Chelwood Drive there is Odd Down sports ground with the superb new cycle and BMX tracks and many sporting facilities on offer.”
“This house has given us all the convenience of the city centre, but a lovely rural feel with plenty of space and parking. We have really loved living here these last 20 years.”