The Coach House

DESCRIPTION

Set on the edge of the village, in 2 1/2 acres of stunning, beautifully manicured formal gardens is The Coach House. This splendid property, predominately on one level, has been thoughtfully improved and extended by the current owners, to create an elegant yet comfortable home.

Upon entering the property is a spacious entrance hall with attractive black and white checkered floor, dado rail, cornice and stairs leading to the first floor. Glazed double doors lead though to the dining room with panelled wall, parquet floor, glazed floor length windows overlooking the garden along with French doors, with stained glass panels, to the conservatory. The dining room can accommodate a table to seat eight to ten guests comfortably and a cased opening leads through to the winter parlour. The winter parlour again with panelled walls and parquet floor features castellated cornicing, plaster roses on the ceiling, brass wall lights and an arched marble fireplace with open fire as the focal point. French windows lead to the rear garden and a panelled door leads to the hall. The kitchen/breakfast room has an array of modern high gloss cabinets with soft close doors and drawers, an 'Esse' range and cooker hood, integrated fridge, integrated dishwasher, pull-out larder unit, 'magic' corner, an inset 1 1/2 bowl sink and granite worktops. To one end is space for a breakfast table, with a glazed door leading to the conservatory, a further door to the cloister and to the front, overlooking the fountain garden, are French windows. The temperature-controlled conservatory, designed and built by David Salisbury, is a splendid room with views across the garden to the water terrace and two sets of French doors leading out to the terrace. Leading from the kitchen is the cloister, with black and white checkered floor, exposed stone wall and roof lantern. It is a lovely light room which links the utility room, a shower room and the sitting room and has a window to the front, floor to ceiling windows and a door out to the terrace and gardens beyond. The utility room houses a washing machine and a fridge freezer (both included), along with cupboards, shelving and space for further white goods if required, a stained glass window looks out to the cloister. The shower room is well-appointed with lovely stained glass porthole window to the front, large walk-in shower, WC, wash basin and cabinet. The sitting room, built in 2007, is a wonderfully bright and spacious room with character oak plank floors, French doors and windows on three sides leading out to various areas within the garden. A natural stone fireplace, built with local blue lias stone, is the focal point of the room with an oak mantle and inset 'JOTUL' woodburning stove. The high ceiling, is part vaulted with plaster ceiling roses and contributes to the airy feeling of the room.

Leading from the hall, a corridor gives access to the study and three of the four double bedrooms. The study has an understairs alcove, wooden flooring and French windows to the front, overlooking the fountain garden. The first of the bedrooms, again with French windows to the front, has a built-in corner cupboard and a door leading to a 'Jack and Jill' bathroom, also accessed from the hall. The bathroom comprises; bath with shower attachment, WC, basin, mirrored cabinet along with art deco wall light and stained glass porthole window. The second bedroom has a dado rail with panelling beneath, a large alcove - ideal for a wardrobe, French windows to the front and an ensuite shower room. The ensuite comprises; corner shower cubicle, mirror cabinet, WC, wash basin and feature lighting. The third bedroom has French windows to the rear garden and an ensuite cloakroom with WC and wash basin.

A curved staircase, with shelved alcove, leads up to the first floor with principal suite and book room. The book room, accessed by 3/4 height doorway is a lovely room sloped on three sides, with a roof window and built-in bookshelves. The principal suite is a generous size (currently accommodating a large four poster bed) and has a wall of bespoke 3/4 height wardrobes with shelving and hanging rails. A feature wooden step leads up to French doors leading out to a south facing wrought iron balcony directly overlooking the fountain garden, with views of the countryside beyond. In the bedroom, an opening leads through into the dressing area with further built-in wardrobes and a door giving walk-in access to a loft storage area. Off the dressing area is an ensuite shower room with corner shower cubicle, vanity basin with storage, hidden cistern WC and modern black panel radiator.

Throughout the property, stunning stained glass panels feature in the windows and doors, these have been crafted by hand by one of the vendors.

The house has Truespeed fibre-optic broadband. The company offers packages from 150Mbps to 900Mbps.

OUTSIDE

Approached via electric timber gates, the gravel drive offers parking for several vehicles and leads to the double garage and to the stables, currently used as a tool shed and workshop, beyond.

The stunning gardens have been designed and created by the current owners over the last 15 years and are truly a sight to behold. To the left of the drive, divided by beech hedges, are a number of garden 'rooms' each with their own distinct designs. 'The Knot Garden' features four ornate designs of beautifully clipped box hedging each with a central palm, along with a seating area and a central sun dial . 'The Shrubbery' has a range of mature plants including photinia and yew, whilst 'Shady Pines' has a verdant display of trees including the eponymous pine, monkey puzzle and yew. 'The Green' which frames the view from the back garden is mainly laid to lawn with a number of neatly clipped yews. 'The Orchard' is more informal with a selection of fruit trees, whilst 'The Vegetable Garden' has several timber edged beds planted with fruit and vegetables, providing a bumper crop. Beyond the vegetable garden is a polytunnel, a greenhouse and potting shed. Running from the top to the bottom, through the centre of the garden is 'The Avenue' mainly laid to lawn with a seating area.

To the front of the house, a gravel path leads to 'The Rose Garden' which is surrounded by natural stone walling and features a variety of roses all planted within neatly clipped low box hedging. The south facing 'Fountain Garden' is mainly laid to lawn with an attractive stone fountain as the focal point. The lawn is edged with a gravel path with areas for seating alongside attractive borders, planted with an array of mature trees, shrubs and flowering plants. Natural stone walls enclose the fountain garden.

To the rear of the property is a paved terrace, accessed from the conservatory, cloister and sitting room, with plenty of space for outside furniture and entertaining. Tucked away in one corner is the boot room and boiler house, which houses the oil-fired boiler, a tumble dryer (included) and has further storage space. A well-manicured lawn spans the rear of the property with a stunning pond. Behind the pond is a pergola forming a shaded walkway, affectionately known as 'Taormina' as this area is reminiscent of holidays in Sicily. The walkway leads to a small waterfall and 'The Water Terrace', the perfect spot to sit and look back at the house.

To the side of the garage is a useful stone built store and to the rear is a covered area housing the 'LPG' gas canisters and oil tank. Also within the garden is a large wood store with eaves storage.

LOCATION

Located just off the A37 close to Wells and Shepton Mallet, the villages of Gurney Slade and Binegar nestle in the Mendip Hills and have open countryside all around. The villages have a Post Office, shop, playground, village hall, two pubs and a good bus service to Bath and Wells. Schools in the area are good with village primary schools and senior schools in Wells, Midsomer Norton, Writhlington and Shepton Mallet. The private schools are excellent with Downside, Wells Cathedral, All Hallows, Millfield, Kings Bruton and Sunny Hill all within an easy drive. The Mendip Hills provide a variety of leisure pursuits including horse riding, hunting, walking, cycling, diving, dry ski slopes all in the vicinity. Bath and Bristol are within easy commuting distance with Bristol Airport also within easy reach as are the M4 and M5.  For those travelling by train, Castle Cary, Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads are all within 10-15 miles.

Nearby, the picturesque City of Wells offers a range of local amenities and shopping facilities with four supermarkets (including Waitrose), as well as twice weekly markets, cinema, leisure centre, a choice of pubs and restaurants, dentists and doctors, several churches and both primary and secondary state schools.

TENURE

Freehold

HEATING

Oil fired  and LPG gas central heating with electric underfloor heating to the conservatory.

SERVICES

Private drainage via septic tank, mains water and electricity are all connected

LOCAL AUTHORITY

Mendip District Council, Cannards Grave Road, Shepton Mallet. BA4 5BT. [use Contact Agent Button]

COUNCIL TAX

Band 'F'

EPC RATING

Rating 'F'

VIEWING

Strictly by appointment with Cooper and Tanner. [use Contact Agent Button]

DIRECTIONS

Leaving Wells on the Bath Road (B3139), continue out of the City for approximately 2 miles until Binegar is signposted on the right hand side. Take the right turn onto Whitnell Lane and continue for 1 mile. At the crossroad turn right into Bennetts Lane where the property can be found a little further along on the right.