8 bedroom house

DESCRIPTION A stunning 8 bedroom Grade II* Listed home dating from the 16th Century, on the edge of the picturesque medieval town of Axbridge with beautiful, well-tended gardens. This wonderful rambling family home is on four levels and has been extended over the years with Georgian additions and many features reflecting the period. It is now a versatile home for modern-day living, with scope for using part of the house as an annexe and spacious provision for parking.

The front entrance to Compton House is through a Georgian portico into the hall. On the ground floor there are five reception rooms, Kitchen, two WCs, Laundry room and Butler's Pantry. A broad sweeping staircase leads from the hall to the five double bedrooms, each of which has an en suite bathroom and on the second floor there is a further double room, a single room and bathroom. The eighth bedroom with bathroom is on the west side of the house above the Living Room. Solid stone steps lead down from the hall to the lower ground floor with spacious wine cellar, a room currently used as an office and three separate storerooms. There is potential to develop this area. There is also a large workshop in the garden.

The house retains a blend of interesting architectural features throughout. The oldest part of the property has the original flagstone floors while the later Georgian part has the original broad oak floorboards. Other notable features include stone mullion windows and full-length Georgian sash windows which allow the light to flood the house, the marble and inglenook fireplaces, beams and 16th and 17th Century panelling in the hall.

Off the hallway is a Butler's pantry and the traditional country Kitchen has plenty of storage with two built-in pantries, wooden units, a Rangemaster double electric oven with 5 gas burner hob, a one and a half bowl ceramic sink with brass mixer tap and plenty of room for a family sized table. The dishwasher and further sink is in the Scullery next door.

The five reception rooms include the formal Drawing Room with its impressive wood and marble fireplace featuring the carved head of Ceres on the over mantle and two full length sash windows with original shutters overlooking the south facing garden. The Georgian Dining Room has the original Georgian panelled walls with a handsome marble fireplace and two full length sash windows with shutters. The Morning room with Minster fireplace has southerly views over the garden. The Garden room has French doors to the side and rear and a tiled floor and the Living room, originally the Cheese Room, is in the old part of the property with inglenook fireplace with log burning stove and French doors which open onto the inner courtyard.

On the first floor the five bedrooms are all of generous proportions, each with their own unique character. A roll top claw foot bath occupies a raised platform in the Panel Bedroom, and a carved frieze adorns the walls. There are five bath or shower rooms servicing these bedrooms. On the top floor there are a range of built-in wardrobes and a double and single bedroom and bathroom. There is also a further bedroom and bathroom above the Living Room on the west side of the house.

History
Originally a farmhouse, Compton House has a fascinating history from its origins in 1589. The house has been the family home of gentlemen farmers, the Prowse family, subsequently the well-known Fry family (Sir Christopher Fry the playwright is a descendant) and from 1875, The Tilley family, renowned cheese makers in the area. The current owner bought the house in 2004 and has until recently run a country guest house and wedding venue. The house is being sold as a private residence and not a business.

Gardens
French doors lead from the hallway into the delightful gardens to the rear, which extend to 0.4 acres. The gardens features a well maintained lawn, flowerbeds and a range of mature trees including Magnolia, Walnut, Apple, Cedar and Hazel trees. There is also a sunny courtyard garden The rear elevation of the house is covered in a stunning Wisteria, and vines. The original former Privy can be found in the garden. There is also a substantial workshop to the side of the house which houses one of the boilers.

The property is heated by two separate gas boilers and radiators throughout. There is mains water and private drainage. To the side of the property is private parking area, ample for several cars.

Compton House is conveniently placed on the edge of the picturesque medieval town of Axbridge, just on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills, a Designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Axbridge offers a range of shops and pubs as well as the well regarded Axbridge primary school and local secondary schools include The Kings of Wessex and Hugh Sexey Church of England School, Churchill Academy and Sidcot School. There is easy access to further facilities in the local town of Cheddar and nearby Wells. The area is popular for outdoor activities and the famous Cheddar Gorge is close by. Junction 22 of the M5 is approximately 8 miles away, Bristol International Airport is 11 miles away and the City of Wells approximately 10 miles away.
 

SELLER INSIGHT Compton House
"This is a house full of surprises - as we viewed it for the first time we never knew what we were going to find around the next corner, or behind a door. There were so many nooks and crannies, such as the Butler's Pantry and the old Privy in the garden, it was a house full of interest, charm and character and with its sweeping south facing views we knew we had finally found our new home."

The owners of Compton House had been looking for a property for some time; they had viewed dozens of houses up and down the country and nothing matched what they were looking for. They wanted a house that was a home first but also had potential to offer a business opportunity and because of the flexibility this beautiful property offered, they knew they had found something very special.

"It is a warm and friendly house; it kind of wraps itself around you. The location is great with stunning views and a good sized garden. The house has two faces: the front, being the original medieval farmhouse, and the back, with its Wisteria clad Georgian façade. Each room has its own flavour and style, we couldn't wait to see everything the house had to offer."

This Grade II Listed home was originally a farmhouse, the Georgian part of the property was added by an architect before it became the home of the Fry family, their descendant being playwright Sir Christopher Fry. You will still find many of both periods' features throughout the house from mullioned windows and gorgeous original fireplaces to beautiful flagstone and broad oak floor boards.

The house has been home to several families over the years, one of whom - the Tilleys - made cheese here in what is now called the Living Room. To the current owners it has always been a home, although they have run a variety of interesting ventures throughout the years from weddings and dinner parties to outdoor theatre, Airbnb and a bed and breakfast.

With such an impressive property it can be hard to have a favourite room; "The Georgian dining room and Drawing rooms are elegant. The fireplace with its cherubs (in the drawing room) is such a wonderful feature and with the oak doors and flooring and open fire these rooms are magical at Christmas. When the dining room is set for dinner parties it is magnificent, it is a wonderful space to entertain in. Each bedroom is different and has its own character, we furnished it to feel homely and embrace each room's unique personality."

You also can't help but be wowed by the Panel bedroom with its gothic panelled walls and bath with a view. It is such a grand room in size, features and furnishings, it is certainly a room that impresses. You can just imagine relaxing in the bath soaking in the glorious views before retiring to the four poster bed. Yet even with all its grandeur, there is something soothing about this house, as the owner says, "It is a property that embraces you and makes you feel very relaxed and comfortable".

Axbridge is the nearest town and is only a short walk away. There is a very strong community spirit and there are lots to get involved in should you wish, regardless of your age, from local clubs - artistic and athletic, theatre, community events and a very active church. Next year is the Pageant, which happens in the Square every 10 years and is not to be missed, the Farmer's Market once a month and the seasonal Blackberry carnival.

The owners have loved having the house filled with friends and family, seeing it come to life and yet no one feeling on top of each other. Children playing on the lawn, which was originally created for croquet over 100 years ago, conversations around the fire or catching up in the kitchen. The space is extremely flexible; you could very easily create two separate living spaces should it be wished to be used by an extended family. A large family will love the spacious rooms and the excellent schools and the access to wonderful countryside and walks. If you are working from home, there are plenty of places you can find a quiet spot to be productive whilst family life continues around you. Should you seek extra rooms, the cellar has so much potential and hasn't been touched: it could be a great studio space, a music or media room or even a self-contained area.

Compton House is a delicious mix of history, character, space and flexibility, but most importantly it is a home that will always excite you. What surprises will you uncover when you decide to make it your home? You might even find the known Priest Hole which has eluded the owner for years!


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