Tucked away on the scenic edge of the sought after village of Batheaston is Bourne House: a unique, modern home with around 1.75 acres of beautiful grounds.
“Before buying this property in the late 1990’s we were living in central Bath,” says the owner, “and although we had a big house there, the garden was small and the area was becoming increasingly busy. We had three children who were young at the time, so we wanted to move somewhere that was still well connected to Bath but with more space, particularly outside, and in a more peaceful area. When we discovered this property it consisted of a collection of stone cow sheds, but the views were amazing, and as architects, we could see that it had the potential to be transformed into a stunning home.”

“During the renovation process we tried to hold onto the character of the original buildings and the idea of connecting the inside and the outside, retaining the large openings with floor-to-ceiling glazing. We’ve also used a lot of natural stone and warm-toned wood throughout the design, which combines well with the more modern fixtures and fittings of the house. One of the features we are particularly pleased with is the glazed corner of the open-plan living space. It has sliding glazed doors that can be opened to extend the space out onto a decked terrace; our children often used to sit there and play in the winter, because it gives the feeling of being outside. We’re thrilled with the home that we have managed to create, and with its synergy with the natural surroundings that makes it feels so special.”

“The house is nestled into a hillside and the garden gently slopes away into the most spectacular views of Claverton Vale and all the surrounding villages,” continues the owner, “and because the buildings are south-facing, the quality of light is amazing, even during the winter months. The grounds are arranged over a series of terraces, so we have three flat lawns, and a paddock lower down which surrounds a small lake with an island, in the middle of which is a beautiful weeping willow. It has been an amazing place for our children to grow-up in.”

“We are a very close family and we attribute that in part to this house,” says the owner. “The layout is centred around a large open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, so there’s space for everyone to be together without feeling on top of one another.”
“It’s very tranquil here and extremely picturesque and yet we are so close to everything,” says the owner. “The village has a range of shops for essentials and a good number of bus stops, and the centre of Bath is 3.4 miles away, where hopping on a train to London is very easy. For us as a family the location has been ideal.”

“Within the grounds we also have a self-contained annexe, which has been used for many things over the years, from art gallery to games room.” says the owner. “It consists of a large studio space with a bathroom, utility area, and a bedroom at either end, providing excellent accommodation for elderly relatives or other guests.”