8 bedroom detached house for sale

UPLANDS HOUSE, BAWDRIP LANE, BAWDRIP, TA7 8PS

A magnificent unlisted Georgian property of impressive proportions and restored to the highest of standards, set in a quiet and extremely private location within c.3 acres of grounds.

Uplands House enjoys elegant accommodation including a large reception hall, kitchen breakfast room, nine reception rooms, laundry room, two cloakrooms, stores, 12 bedrooms and six bathrooms. In addition, there is a two bedroom detached annexe, 3 car garage with store and separate air conditioned building currently used as a gym/ games room.

Within the three acres of grounds, there is ample parking with drive-in, in drive-out access with electric gating, extensive garaging, beautifully maintained gardens and enchanting woodland.

The property sits in an elevated position with complete seclusion, while being within just a 15 minute drive to Millfield Senior School in an easterly direction, and a 10-minute drive to the M5 westwards.

Accommodation

Uplands House was first built in 1822 and was formerly the village Rectory. Since the owners purchased the property in 2011 they have overseen an extensive range of improvements to the property including total refurbishment of the interiors, major roof works, plus the addition of the annexe and garaging to name a few. The property has classical Georgian features including high ceilings, sash windows, coving and ceiling roses in many of the rooms.

The house has a majestic facade with six large sashes adorning a prominent front bay and two sashes to either side. It has newly rendered elevations underneath a parapet wall and slate tiled roof. The property would make an ideal home for a family and is extremely well-suited to multi-generational living. Alternatively, it would be a super boutique hotel, retreat or indeed a house with home office facilities. The property has had a rich and varied history, at one point it was owned by the council and used for offices which gives a good indication that change of use to a live/work premises is possible. The three-phase wiring, two commercial boilers and plumbing in many of the bedrooms provides many options for a buyer to use the property as desired.

An electric gated driveway with an intercom opens to a sweeping driveway which passes through the woodland of Uplands House and up to the parking and garaging. The main door enters an entrance vestibule that leads into the reception hall which is an elegant and welcoming area full of character features with chequered polished stone tiling, coving and dado rails, ceiling roses with chandeliers, and recessed niches.

On the left-hand side of the hall, doors lead into the two main reception rooms being the sitting room and drawing rooms. Both rooms are full of character and enjoy lovely outlooks over the formal front lawn, and original ceiling roses with chandeliers. Within the sitting room, there is a bay window and a limestone fireplace with inset electric fire. The drawing room is arguably the most elegant of all the rooms within the property, with the impressive bay with tall sash windows looking out. There is also a marble fireplace, original coving and dado railing.

The kitchen breakfast room is a spacious and sociable living area with French doors leading out to the garden and a double aspect. There are plenty of units and a central island with breakfast bar and granite transformation work surfaces. There are plenty of integrated units, including an electric range cooker, dishwasher, two fridges, two freezers, multi-oven microwave, wine cooler and coffee machine.

The dining room adjoins the kitchen and is thought to have been the former prayer room of the Rectory. It has beautiful features, including another prominent bay opening with tall sashes, picture rails and a chapel-like recessed niche.

There is a central hallway, off which there is a cloakroom, laundry room and two large storage cupboards. Also on the ground floor, there are five further reception rooms including a play room, music room, cinema room, snug and study/library; each of these rooms could provide options for a multitude of other uses. There is a ground floor, northern wing with a snooker room, bedroom, cloakroom and further reception room which was formerly used as a home office which could be re-instated if desired or indeed it could become a self-contained integral annexe as there are plumbing facilities from when there used to be a kitchen within this part of the premises. Any alterations would be subject to the usual planning permissions.

There are two sets of stairs, the main staircase rising from the reception hall up to a central landing area with light flooding in through a roof lantern.

The principal bedroom suite occupies the first floor of the prominent bay above the drawing room and is most impressive. There is a roll-top bath in the main bedroom area and there is also a luxurious en-suite shower room with twin basins, LED lit mirror above, floor and wall tiling, shower, basin and heated towel rail. By the en-suite there is a large walk-in wardrobe too.

The guest bedroom is equally stylish, with fantastic views out three bay openings, as well as having a built-wardrobe, and a totally refurbished en-suite with bath, overhead shower, basin and w/c. On the southern side of the house, there are three further double bedrooms which are serviced by the main bathroom which is fitted to the highest of standards, having a free-standing bath, separate shower with rainfall shower head, twin basins, w/c and floor and wall-tiling. The sheer extent of the house must be seen to be appreciated as there are seven further double bedrooms, one-suite and two further fully fitted bathrooms.

Annexe

Freshly completed in readiness for sale is the annexe, which is detached and self-contained. There is a new kitchen with white arabesque quartz worktops, and built-in appliances including a washing machine, fridge, freezer, electric oven, microwave, and induction hob with ceiling-mounted extractor. The kitchen is easily large enough to dine within, and there are two double bedrooms, a freshly finished bathroom suite with underfloor heating and an adjoining garage. This annexe would be a great source of income for long-term or holiday lets, or could equally be used for guests or relatives.

Outside

Uplands House is nestled centrally within its own gardens and grounds and totally surrounded by its own woodland, offering complete privacy throughout the plot. The driveway sweeps into the gravelled parking area and there is an exit drive which is also gated for security with its own intercom system. In addition to the extensive parking available, there is a further triple garage with an internal store room, loft space, internal and external lighting, power and both 3 electric roller doors and a pedestrian side door. There is provision for several EV car charging points, including a 3-phase supply.

Accessed from the outside of the house, there is a boiler room which houses the two commercial-sized oil-fired boilers. Immediately in front of the house, there is a neatly manicured formal lawn which takes in the spectacular view of the facade. The lawns are encircled by mature trees and shrubbery and wrap around the South and west sides of the property. Between the games room and dining room, there is a totally sheltered, paved courtyard with a hot tub, an area that perfectly lends itself to al-fresco dining. There is another outbuilding, located on the left-hand side of the entrance drive, which is currently used as a home gym. The air-conditioned timber outbuilding is nearly 30’ long and 20’ wide, so it is easily large enough to fit a comprehensive selection of machines within and could equally be used as a summer house, home office, studio or workshop.

The remainder of the grounds are currently laid to enchanting woodland, adding to the peaceful and tranquil feel of the property. Within the trees, there is a much-loved zip line, tree-house platform and wooden children’s play area, which children will surely enjoy. In addition, there is a small area of clearing which takes in fabulous views of the Somerset levels. This area is well away from the house and close to the road access, so could feasibly be developed subject to planning.

In short, this is a property of palatial proportions, extending to nearly 12,000 sq. ft. in total. Properties like this so rarely come onto the market and are even less frequently marketed at this high standard of refurbishment. This really is a special listing.

Services

Mains water, drainage and electricity. Oil-fired central heating with two commercial-sized boilers.

Superfast BT broadband.

Three-phase wiring within the premises. Tenure: Freehold.

Energy Performance Rating: E

Council Tax Band: H

About the area

The property is situated in an elevated position on the northwestern side of the Polden Hills, enjoying rural views of the edge of the Village of Bawdrip. In the village, there is a Primary School and a church. Nearby are access points to a vast network of public footpaths and byways, providing access to the wonderful countryside that borders it. There are none on the property.

The town of Street, with its famous Millfield School and popular shopping facility of Clarke's Village, is approximately a 20-minute drive away. Within easy driving distance, there are various other small towns and larger villages that provide a range of shopping, cultural and sporting activities. These include Glastonbury, Wells, and Wedmore, with Taunton and Bristol also within commuting distance.

There are superb communications links with the M5 nearby, making commutes to Bristol, Taunton and Exeter easy. The A303 is also not far away, giving access to London and the South West. There are airports at Bristol and Exeter, and direct rail services to London at Taunton.

The area has excellent state and independent schools, including various primary schools, Hugh Sexeys and Kings of Wessex, Hazelgrove, Sidcot, Wells Cathedral, Millfield and the Taunton and Bristol schools.

While the property does not have paddocks for equestrian use, next door, there is a livery with a menage, perfect if an equestrian lifestyle is desired.

Important Notice

Roderick Thomas, their clients and any joint agents state that these details are for general guidance only and accuracy cannot be guaranteed. They do not constitute any part of any contract. All measurements are approximate, and floor plans are to give a general indication only and are not accurate measurements. No guarantees are given with regard to planning permission or fitness for purpose. No apparatus, equipment, fixture or fitting has been tested.

Items shown in photographs are not necessarily included. Purchasers must satisfy themselves on all matters by inspection or otherwise.

VIEWINGS - interested parties are advised to check availability and current situation prior to travelling to see any property.