6 bedroom house

This impressive, Grade II listed manor house originates from the 17th Century despite the Georgian façade, (added in 1824). It is approached via an imposing stone wall and gated entrance. As you enter the grounds through the Christon Court pillars and across the sweeping gravel carriage driveway with a magnificent copper beech at its centre, you see the prominent yet secluded home in all its glory.

The manor house was purchased by Sir Francis Vaughan in the middle of the 17th century and he went on to unite the manorial lands under single ownership. Much of the house at present is attributable to the Vaughans, although the irregular plan form and sequence of roof structures indicate that it is the product of various phases of addition and demolition during the 17th century and early 18th century.

The Main House

Entrance Hall
The portico entrance, supported by two Doric columns, leads to the spacious and welcoming entrance hall with an open mahogany staircase leading upstairs. There is a red baise door to the inner hallway and two doors either side opening into the Sitting Room and Dining Room.

Sitting Room
The focal point of the sitting room is the original fireplace and log burner. To the right of the fireplace French doors open onto the formal gardens at the side of the house. There are two sash windows overlooking the driveway at the front of the house. A lovely, spacious room for the family to gather and enjoy a quiet evening together. Features include workings shutters, window seats, picture rails and deep mounded skirting boards. A Jotul wood burning stove is set into the chimney recess with a slate hearth and carved marble surround.

Dining Room
The spacious dining room has an open working fire set in an original marble fireplace, an original wood floor and large dual aspect shuttered windows offering plenty of natural light. A delightful room with ample space to entertain both family and friends.

Kitchen/Breakfast Room
The bright and airy kitchen/breakfast room features an island, a two oven aga, lots of countertop space and ample storage. Space for dishwasher and washing machine. Plenty of room for a large breakfast table for informal dining with the family and friends.

Inner Hallway
The red baize door from the main hall leads to the inner hallway where you will find the original flagstone flooring, joining the Entrance Hall to the Kitchen and a Cloakroom at the back of the house. Here you will also find a second staircase heading to the upstairs landing.

First floor

Drawing Room
This first-floor spacious room features wooden panelled walls and two window seats. The ornate fireplace and finely carved Jacobean mantel piece still survive from the original mansion. It is flanked by two figures representing Peace and Justice and surmounted by the Vaughan coat of arms, bearing the date 1672.

4 Double Bedrooms
The 4 double bedrooms, two with high ceilings and exposed beams, are lovely and light with views over the mature gardens. There is a family bathroom and the master bedroom is a spacious room with an en-suite shower room.

Annex
This inviting Annex would be perfect for friends or family to visit or a holiday let opportunity. This part of the house offers an open plan Kitchen/Dining room, family room and upstairs, two bedrooms and a bathroom including bath and shower. The wide inglenook fireplace in the sitting room we believe once housed the original range and bread oven and now contains a large wood burning stove. The Worcester oil fired central heating boiler for the annex is hidden from view in an alcove side cupboard. The kitchen/diner in this annex has plenty of space for modern appliances and a door opening to a lower staircase leading down to the large cellar. The Annex has a separate entrance and a lockable door upstairs leading to the manor house landing, therefore this could be easily merged or kept separate. Ideal if you are looking for dual occupation.

Outside
Christon Court is set in the most delightful mature gardens which surround this period home. You can easily loose yourself in the secluded areas of the walled garden which is divided between well stocked mature borders, an ornamental gardens, orchard and native wildlife area. Up the south side of the gravel walkway set beside a high mellow stone wall interspersed with espalier fruit trees and a mature fig you will find a weathered historic stone carved family crest. The gravel path continues around the southern side perimeter through the scented rose walk which from its elevated position commands far reaching views towards Crooks Peak and the adjoining countryside. Look out for the hidden gravel seating area of the secluded walled garden a perfect place to sit and reflect.

An enclosed courtyard can be found to the rear of the property with large garden workshop/store, with a further walled courtyard beyond, another ideal spot to enjoy a gin & tonic at the end of the day. A large 4 car garage and parking area is enclosed behind the 5-bar gate reached via a spur from the circular driveway. A rear courtyard may be accessed through the back of the inner hallway via a further lobby area/boot room. The boiler for the main house is housed off this courtyard.

Adjacent to the house on the right is an enclosed cider orchard/paddock of 1.25 Hectares. This attractive area is currently grazed with several rare breed sheep who enjoy the backdrop of the surrounding wooded backdrop and magnificent views over the top of the village church.

Location
Christon Court is superbly situated in the small village of Christon which sits on the Somerset/Avon border at the end of the Mendip Hills range.

The village, comprising a small group of houses, gardens, yards, streets, paddocks, a manor and a church, and with a community primarily devoted to farming, was a significant component of the rural landscape in most areas of medieval England, much as it is today. Villages provided some services to the local community as well as acting as the focus of ecclesiastical, and often manorial, authority within each medieval parish.

The property provides easy access to Bristol and Taunton, both within a 40 minute drive and which provide excellent independent schooling for secondary education. Nearby Sidcot School is in Winscombe and Wells Cathedral School provides transport from nearby.

There are good state secondary and primary schools in the neighbouring villages of Banwell and Winscombe. Local facilities can be found in Loxton which has a garage and there are local shops in nearby Banwell and Winscombe. Easy access to Bristol International Airport (20 minutes) and excellent rail links can be found in Weston Super Mare which is approximately 6 miles away by car. For outdoor pursuits you are in the heart of the Mendips and there are some excellent walks and rides over the Mendips with direct access to the Mendip way from the property as well as a few golf courses and leisure complexes nearby.
 

SELLERS INSIGHT Nestled in the glorious Somerset countryside is Christon Court, an extremely handsome Grade II listed country home, believed to have origins in the 16th century, which boasts around four acres of exquisite grounds. "We bought the property twenty-three years ago and it was everything about the house and this stunning location that originally attracted us to it," says the owner. "The house itself is incredibly attractive and exceptionally spacious, and it's enveloped by the most beautiful garden and grounds, and it's a place where we've been able to enjoy utter peace and privacy. We also liked the history of the house which can be traced back in various forms for several centuries".

"The house has always been a much-loved family home and had been lived in by tenant farmers from 1824 until 1990. It had been largely renovated by previous owners so when we came here there was very little that needed to be done inside. However, over time we did things such as update the kitchen, we had a new boiler fitted and we also had all of the beautiful old windows renovated. Apart from that it's been very easy to look after and it's a very easy house to live in. All of the rooms boast wonderful proportions, and there aren't too many of them so when the house is full everyone feels nicely connected. There are also some gorgeous features in practically every room, so the house as a whole has great character and charm. It's a stunning period home, but it's also really warm and welcoming, and it works incredibly well for modern living.

"The house sits centrally within the four acres so practically every room has a lovely view," continues the owner, "and the gardens and grounds are exceptionally attractive. They were newly planted when we came here, perhaps a little overplanted so over time we've pared things back. We now have a number outside 'rooms', including a pretty orchard and a gorgeous walled garden, so there's an array of lovely areas for alfresco entertaining or simply sitting out, relaxing and soaking in the pretty views."
We also renovated an old store and built a four-car garage.

Favourite room: "I tend to spend a lot of my time in the kitchen, and that's a lovely room for cosy family suppers, but my favourite room would probably be the sitting room. It has a naturally warm and comfortable feel to it, and the large sash windows not only flood the space with natural light, but they also bring in a stunning view of the garden."

Favourite aspect of the grounds or surrounding area: "The location of the house is absolutely superb. At home we enjoy utter peace and privacy, but we're by no means isolated. Our neighbours in Christon are all very friendly and there to help if needed, and in terms of day-to-day necessities it's just a short drive to Waitrose in Weston-super-Mare."

Memorable event (if not another favourite room or unique feature): "The previous owners divided part of the house into a two-bedroom annex, which they rented out on a regular basis. We've never done that, but my daughter and her family lived in it for four or five years. It was wonderful to have them all at home, and the best thing was we never felt on top of one another."

What they'll miss most / why they are leaving: "I absolutely love this house and if it wasn't for the fact that the property as a whole is simply too big for me now, I wouldn't ever dream of leaving," says the owner.



Marketed by: Fine & Country Chew Valley & North Sedgemoor, Bath