The Great House

The Great House is a most attractive Grade ll Listed detached country house. The property is steeped in local history and is referenced in local historical books. It is one of the more important houses in the village of North Newton and its surrounding area. We understand it dates back to the circa 1650's and retains many interesting features including a 17th Century staircase.

THE ACCOMMODATION
The property is filled with immense charm and character throughout to include well proportioned rooms, high ceilings, original plasterwork and wonderful architectural detail reminiscent of its period. The current owners have maintained the house to an excellent standard and sensitively upgraded the accommodation to provide an impressive family home. The property offers well appointed reception rooms with a flexible layout in addition to a further independent ancillary accommodation, ideal for extended family or used as an additional income stream such as air B&B or holiday rental. All of this is set within glorious gardens and grounds extending to approximately 2.25 acres.

Leading from the gravelled drive and parking area, through an arched stone and brick wall, following a path to the main entrance and front door into a large reception hall featuring exposed ceiling timbers and a stone tiled floor. An impressive 17th century staircase with ornate intricately hand carved oak balustrades lead to the upper floors. To one side is an original oak studded door still displaying the scars of musket gun fire with a fascinating plaster cast of a small black cat set in the wall above. It is believed to be a charm of sorts. This leads down some steps to a brick floored half cellar offering good storage.

To the far end of the hall is a cloak area with a back door leading out to the garden. To the side is a utility and laundry room. This is fitted with a run of base units; butler sink with space for a washer and dryer under. A separate downstairs shower room with WC is at the end.

A second sitting room / home office is to the far end of the house. This includes a large inglenook fireplace housing a wood burning stove and large oak Bessemer beam over. Exposed ceiling timbers add further character to the room including beautiful polished elm board flooring. A large picture window enjoys views out to the front garden. The other side of the hall leads into the main sitting room. A very spacious room including a high ceiling, exposed timbers edged with an original plaster moulding and French windows open out to the rear garden. A further full height window looks out to the front garden. A large inglenook fireplace includes a woodburner with an impressive oak Bessemer beam over. Polished oak flooring leads into the dining room. Again, a well-appointed room features a natural stone surround inglenook fireplace with woodburning stove and a large oak Bessemer beam over. A Georgian sash window enjoys views to the rear garden with an attractive part glazed door to the side.

A stunning farmhouse style kitchen/breakfast room has been fitted with a comprehensive range of painted base units offering extensive storage. This includes a full height larder cupboard. A space for a French size fridge/freezer is surrounded by a fitted unit. An electric 13-amp four oven Aga in addition to a halogen hob module sits well within a deep alcove detailing an attractive brick eyebrow. A useful workstation island offers excellent preparation space with further storage under and an integrated wine fridge. An integrated dishwasher and double sinks are set within a solid oak worksurface that extends across the units. A door leads out to the gravelled parking area. The kitchen extends across to the breakfast area with a space for a large kitchen table. To the side is a hand made solid oak staircase which leads up to a well-appointed guest suite with independent access out to the front. This spacious double bedroom is light and bright with a vaulted ceiling and exposed timbers. A well-appointed bathroom includes Travertine tile flooring and a large bath with an overhead shower. This provides flexible accommodation for extended family or house guests.

Following the impressive staircase to a quarter landing with an attractive original diamond leaded light window which allows filtered sunshine in. On the first floor the principal bedroom offers ample space to include a large window looking to the front. An original store cupboard is to the side. Beyond is a very impressive luxurious ensuite bathroom and dressing area. This includes a free-standing roll top bath with ball and claw feet, a centralised double ceramic sink with an oversized dual walk-through shower, including a glazed door entrance from either end, and a large linen cupboard to the far side. A feature polished cast iron fire surround adds to the charm and design of the room. A separate WC is to the other side. A full height range of handmade wardrobe storage runs the length of the other wall. Bedroom 2 is a good sized double and features a large fireplace and surround. Bedroom 3 is a further double with a storage/hanging cupboard. Bedroom 4 is a single but could also be a dressing room or study. A family bathroom completes the first floor arrangement. Further eve storage can be found along the landing. Following the staircase up to another quarter landing to an exceptionally spacious attic Bedroom 5 or games room. Velux light windows allow an abundance of natural light in. Exposed ceiling timbers and joists add to its immense character.

A detached small barn provides additional ancillary accommodation to includes a small fully fitted kitchen, shower room with WC and a spacious bed /sitting room with a glazed door leading to a private gravelled sun terrace. This offers the potential to provide an additional income source as Air B&B or holiday rental. A garage / store with double doors is accessed from the drive.

GARDENS AND GROUNDS
The property is approached off a quiet country lane leading from the main road through the village. The property is entered through a high stone wall into a grand gravelled courtyard and parking area for several cars.

A separate newly constructed walled herb garden is found to the side and has been designed to provide a wonderful relaxing and peaceful entertaining space. A large garden store is beyond with double door entrance. A brick and stone arch follows a path into the front walled garden area. A most impressive brick pillared entrance with ornate urns forms the pedestrian entrance from the village. Here the garden is laid to lawn and is interspersed with a variety of colourful ornamental trees and shrubs. Established borders are filled with a wide variety of seasonal plants.

Following a gravelled drive along the side of the house leads through what appears to be ruins of a former building now providing excellent outside storage for bins and recycling. Steps follow up to the extended grounds from the ancillary barn to pasture and amenity land. Beyond is an established orchard with a variety of fruit and nut trees. The land continues beyond and is post and railed fenced. Leading down through a five-bar gate into a most productive vegetable garden complete with raised borders and a green house. This provides an excellent opportunity to grow a wide variety of salads and vegetables. A large chicken coop and run is off to the side. This area leads to a leisure area including a partially raised swimming pool and sun terrace. A small pool house is to one side housing all the equipment and filters etc. Leading through a latch gate to the rear garden area, this is laid mainly to lawn with gravelled pathways around the edge.

SURROUNDING AREA
The Great House is situated on a private elevated position on the edge of this thriving and popular village. The amenities include a public house, village hall and primary school. North Newton is well placed for ease of access to North Petherton with additional amenities to include general stores, butchers, doctor surgery and dentists.

The village is located just off A38 that runs between Bridgwater and Taunton, both of which offer a more comprehensive range of shops, recreational and scholastic facilities. The mainline rail network available from Taunton to London Paddington. Access to the M5 motorway is easily accessible at J24.

SERVICES
Mains electricity, water and drainage. Woodburning stoves. Oil fired central heating. Solar panels.
High Speed Broadband.

LOCAL AUTHORITY
Sedgemoor District Council.
Council Tax Band F

ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE
Rating Exempt

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