4 bedroom detached house for sale

HOLLYBROOK HOUSE,

HOLLYBROOK, WESTBURY SUB MENDIP, WELLS, SOMERSET, BA5 1EU

Wells 3miles, Cheddar 5miles, Wedmore 6 miles, Bristol Airport, Yatton and Castle Cary mainline station 16 miles, Bristol 19miles, Bath 22miles

The house has a boot room/utility, cloakroom, kitchen/breakfast room, dining room, sitting room, inner hall, reception hall/study, 4 bedrooms, a dressing room, mezzanine and family shower room and ensuite bathroom with additional shower.

Outside there’s parking for 3 vehicles, a substantial, enclosed walled garden with small tumbling stream and waterfall, 2 green houses, kitchen garden, plus many delightful architectural features and buildings, including a 2 storey Barn and historic Mill House.

Location

Set in a stunning, elevated position on the southern slopes of the Mendip Hills, in the small historic hamlet of Hollybrook, just 3 miles from Wells with the village of Westbury Sub Mendip, (with a pub, school and village shop) only a short walk on the Strawberry Line.

The property has breathtaking, far-reaching views to the south. The area is traversed by footpaths and the vendors have direct access to the Strawberry Line which is now open towards Wells and Westbury Sub Mendip.

Description

A historic gem, thought to date from 1817, which has been sympathetically and creatively maintained and modernised. Around every corner there are unexpected charms including a handsome inglenook fireplace, exposed beams, flagstone floors throughout the ground floor, stained glass windows adding interest, exposed stone and redbrick walls. In addition, unique features such as an original prison door from Broadmoor Prison to the downstairs cloakroom, bespoke reclaimed pine kitchen dresser, all combine with contemporary quality fixtures and fittings, stylish decoration and stunning views to create a vibrant, visual feast to delight the senses.

Viewing highly recommended.

Accommodation

As with many country properties, the door most frequently used is through the garden into the boot room rather than the more formal ‘front’ entrance which is approached from the parking area, up steps to a porch.

A timber stable door opens to the bright boot room which has space for a sofa and shelving with fabulous views through a large window with window seat, there is also a roof light. Traditional, painted, wooden fitted base units conceal the tumble dryer and washing machine beside a Belfast sink. A wooden worksurface completes the rustic charm in this versatile room.

Flagstones run throughout the ground floor and to the back of the boot room there is a handy cloakroom. The attention to detail in this super house is evident when you open the cloakroom door which is a solid prison door, repurposed as one of the unique features in this eclectic home.

The kitchen/breakfast room has been refitted to feature industrial style stainless steel splashbacks which contrast with the reclaimed pine, bespoke dresser with stained glass windows and internal lights. The contrast of old and new creates an exciting dynamic throughout the property.

There is space for a fridge/freezer, dishwasher and the large Leisure range, with extractor above, is a focal point within a chimney breast. Ideal for enthusiastic chefs it has 5 gas rings plus electric hotplate. There is plenty of space for a table and chairs for more casual dining.

An attractive arched, half glazed door opens to the dining room which wraps seamlessly round to the sitting room. Again, the contrast of old and new creates an attractive and appealing living area, large enough to be configured to suit your needs with plenty of space for a big table and chairs plus sofa in the dining area alone with built-in shelving for storage and display.

The sitting room is focussed round a handsome inglenook fireplace with log burning stove. Large sash windows fill the rooms with light, and offer striking views of the structured and varied garden which echo much of the inside with the exposed stone, beams and stained glass - connecting the internal living spaces with the outside garden spaces in a very pleasing way.

A rear hall beyond the dining room has understairs storage and stairs rise to an open landing/study/entrance hall. The front door opens from here to a covered porch and steps descend to the car parking area.

The entrance hall is a versatile space that could be utilized as an office or reading nook.

There are 3 bedrooms on this floor, the 2 front rooms have fabulous views over the garden and beyond. One has built-in-wardrobes and a high mezzanine platform – for sleeping or storage. The 3rd bedroom has a cast iron fireplace and exposed stone and brick wall. A spacious and sleek shower room serves these 3 rooms.

On the 2nd floor is a principal suite comprising a very spacious dressing room, with vaulted ceiling with exposed beams, this vaulted ceiling feature continues into the ensuite bathroom which has a bath and separate shower cubicle. The bed is placed on a raised platform, positioned to enjoy the spectacular, far-reaching views over the stunning countryside.

Outside

The property is enclosed behind traditional stone walls. Double timber gates allow vehicular access to the garden where there is a hardstanding, ideal for a caravan or motor home, with scope to extend this if required.

A single garden gate also opens to the garden to enable easy pedestrian access to the boot room which is the most frequently used entrance.

The gardens cascade from the house in a series of paved terraces, lawns and mature beds, with variety, form and structure, interwoven with the various buildings and structures which chronicle the heritage of site.

The echoes of past times reverberate within this enchanted oasis, with a tumbling stream and waterfall at it’s heart.

There are areas for relaxing and dining, areas for playing, areas for growing and areas for discovery and renewal. Perfect for keen gardeners and energetic dogs and children.

Previously owned by experienced horticulturalists, who left a legacy of extravagant and considered planting throughout the garden to delight though all the seasons.

An additional feature is immediate access at the bottom of the garden to the Strawberry Line footpath, which is ideal for walking to Westbury Sub Mendip and Wells.

Outside the gates there is parking, on a block drive for a further 3 vehicles. Steps rise from here to a porch by the front door.

The Barn

An attractive, traditional, two-storey stone building, currently used for garden storage but ideal for conversion to further accommodation or home office if required, it has a separate electricity supply.

The Mill

A derelict building, with scope if required.

Tenure and Other Points

Freehold. Not Listed. Main gas, water and electricity. Separate electricity meter for Barn. New gas boiler in house 2025. Private drainage. Secondary glazing on all back windows with additional double glazed windows to the front.

DIRECTIONS

From Wells follow the A371 towards Cheddar and the property is located on the left-hand side, after Easton and after the bridge. If you get to the small lane, on the bend, on the right, you have gone too far.

About the area

Westbury-sub-Mendip is a village with a population of about 800, situated on the southern slopes of the Mendip Hills, half-way between Wells and the world-famous Cheddar Gorge. The village has a good community with many societies and organisations, a pub, village stores and post office and not least an excellent primary school.

Historic note. The name derives from the family known to date back to the era of Edward Longshanks with later links to the villages of Westbury sub Mendip and nearby Rodney Stoke.

Wells is the smallest city in England (population about 11,000) lying in beautiful countryside between the Somerset Levels and the Mendip Hills – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Wells medieval centre has local markets twice a week, good restaurants, a thriving high street and many important ancient buildings, including the Cathedral and moated Bishops Palace and gardens. There are four major supermarkets on the edge of the city. Wells Leisure Centre has the usual facilities of gym and swimming pool to add to Wells Rugby Club, Tennis club, Bowling club and Golf course. Throughout the year Wells hosts festivals for Music, Literature, Art and Food, and has twinned links with Burgundy, the Rhineland and Northern Italy. There are many societies and clubs for those who would like to join a diverse social community.

The major towns of the area, Bristol, Bath, Taunton and Yeovil are all within commuting distance. There are excellent state & independent schools in the area which include several good primary schools, Wells Blue School (catchment area), Wells Cathedral School, Downside, Sidcot, All Hallows and Millfield.

Wells is a transport hub for bus services, including daily services to London. Main line trains run from Castle Cary and Bristol International Airport is 35 minutes’ drive away.

There’s an active country community with continuing festivals, agricultural shows and rural pursuits which have continued for many generations.

Important Notes

Please see all the notes below – particularly the section referring to identity and AML requirements

Identity verification & Anti Money Laundering (AML) Requirements.

As Estate Agents we are require by law to undertake Anti Money Laundering (AML) Regulation checks on any purchaser who has an offer accepted on a property.

We are required to use a specialist third party service to verify the purchaser(s) identity.

The cost of these checks is £60 (inc. VAT) per person. This is payable at the point an offer is accepted and our purchaser information forms completed, prior to issuing Memorandum of Sales to both sellers and buyers and their respective conveyancing solicitors. This is a legal requirement and the charge is non-refundable.

Property Details

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 measured accurate drawings. 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. Buyers must rely on information passed between the solicitors with regard to items included in the sale. 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.

All viewings are by appointment with the Agents.

Roderick Thomas, 1 Priory Road, Wells, BA5 1SR.

P.S.

A few extra comments.

Mortgages – we can help.

Bridging loans – We can help.

Moving house is complicated and stressful when a sale and purchase needs to be tied together in terms of finance and timing.

Sometimes we can negotiate an agreement to suit both sellers and buyers.

Sometimes a bridging loan can solve problems and remove stress.

Call us for information on any of these points