3 bedroom cottage

Believed to have been built around 200 years ago as estate cottages for Cadbury House, and originally called Vine Cottages, High Lodge is a detached family cottage that has been updated and enhanced by the current owners, creating beautifully appointed accommodation that retains great character and charm.

Set amidst generous garden and grounds, surrounded by a fantastic natural setting including ancient woodland, there are superb far-reaching views over Crook Peak, the Mendips and to the Quantocks beyond. The house and grounds have been designed for comfort and entertaining in a superb setting, with various outdoor spaces for alfresco dining and relaxing. Situated towards the top of Frost Hill, there is a sense of being on top of the world, away from the masses, yet the comprehensive facilities of Congresbury and Yatton, plus excellent transport connections including a mainline railway station, are within a mile of the property.

Upon entry, near the front door is a charming snug with character features including a wood burner set into a brick fireplace, a painted beamed ceiling and 2 latched wooden wall cupboards that provide interest and storage. There are lovely views of the garden and grounds through 2 side windows, and through glazed French doors opening into the very spacious conservatory running across the side of the house. This has been carefully designed, with full height glazed walls (rather than part-bricked) for maximum views and light, and a 3-panel doorway that can open fully creating a wide entrance – ideal for entertaining. From the conservatory there are breath-taking views over surrounding countryside as far as the Quantocks.

The very large triple aspect sitting/dining room is a highlight of the property, with a beautiful solid tobacco oak wooden floor, beamed ceiling, an exposed stone inglenook fireplace with gas "wood burner" style fire and a pretty window seat. The generous dining area is a step down from the sitting area, and accommodates a huge dining table and there are wonderful woodland views through 3 windows.

The hallway leads round, past a Y shaped staircase up to the bedroom accommodation, to the well-appointed kitchen/breakfast room, with 2 large reversible pivot windows providing superb views, and a good range of white wall and base units including some deep pan drawers and illuminated glazed display cupboards. There is a 4-way kitchen tap including boiling and filtered options, plus space for a fridge/freezer, a dishwasher and a large gas range-style cooker. To one side of the kitchen is a storage cupboard that currently also has useful ladder access downstairs to the basement workroom/utility room. A kitchen door opens into the conservatory, completing the free-flowing ground floor accommodation.

The first floor is reached via an unusual "Y" shaped staircase that to the right opens onto a galleried landing area, to the right of which is a generous double aspect double bedroom, with lovely garden views. The landing continues round to an upstairs cloakroom and onwards past a wide array of neat latched hallway storage cupboards to the smart family bathroom. The additional 2 double bedrooms are situated off the other arm of the "Y" shaped staircase: to the left is a spacious double bedroom with an extensive range of fitted wardrobes, beyond which is a very stylish en-suite shower room with a dual-headed shower. The large dual aspect principal bedroom has a painted beamed ceiling and far reaching views through French windows (which open fully without a central bar in the middle obscuring the view).

Another highlight of the property is the superb lower ground floor utility/hobbies room that includes a wine store to one end. Accessed via the garden, or via a ladder down from the kitchen cupboard, the generous, flexible space includes a utility area to one end.

Outside – the gardens and grounds are truly wonderful, with a superb assortment of established trees, shrubs and plants which have been planted with great care and attention to detail to provide interest and colour throughout the year. Various zones are linked by inviting paths and steps; there is a large lawned area and assorted terraced seating areas, ideal for al fresco dining and entertaining and somewhere to sit and enjoy the surroundings and far-reaching views. Near the conservatory is a sheltered terraced area with a pond, and stone outbuildings currently used as wood store/tool sheds. An external staircase beyond the conservatory provides access to the hobbies room and the charming "Chinese" garden beyond, and also to the nearby vegetable garden which includes blackcurrant and tayberry fruit bushes. Fruit trees include apple, pear and quince and there is a grapevine, as well as a large greenhouse. Multiple outbuildings including a double garage provide opportunities for a variety of uses, and there is generous driveway parking.

AGENT'S NOTE – a public footpath to Cadbury Camp runs around the outer perimeter of the garden, which has been carefully planted with mature bushes and shrubs for privacy