Polsham, Wells, BA5

DESCRIPTION

A rare and exciting opportunity to acquire this exceptional double fronted Victorian country house, just a short drive from the historic city of Wells. Polsham House is set within 2.15 acres of south facing grounds with beautiful open countryside views. The property boasts an abundance of period features throughout and benefits from five bedrooms, four reception rooms, kitchen with AGA, separate pantry, conservatory, veranda, a sweeping driveway, swimming Pool, part walled kitchen garden and orchard, triple bay parking barn, cider barn, stables, creamery and further outbuildings (thirteen in total). The current owners extensively restored the property around 30 years ago, taking great pride in retaining and restoring the wealth of period features.

Double doors open into the porch with stained glass windows on either side.  Double doors, with stained glass panels, open into the impressive entrance hall with flagstone floors, dado rail, plaster arch and stunning original main staircase. At the far end a stained glass door opens to the conservatory/porch and gardens beyond. Leading directly from the main entrance hall are three of the four reception rooms.  The dual aspect drawing room boasts elegant proportions and has a large bay window overlooking the garden and French doors, with stained glass panels above and original shutters, leading out to the veranda and garden.  This bright room is brimming with period features including, cornice, attractive ceiling rose, arched alcoves with period style wall lights, exposed floorboards and a marble fireplace with cast iron insert as a wonderful focal point.  Adjacent is the dining room. again with corniced ceiling, ceiling rose, exposed floorboards, arched alcoves and large bay window with garden views.  This grand room also features a window to the side, with garden views and original shutters along with an ornate fireplace with open fire and space for a dining table to seat ten to twelve guests comfortably. The family room, with southerly aspect, features corniced ceiling, picture rail, deep skirting boards along with an Adams style fireplace with cast iron and tiled insert. and French doors with stained glass panels above, leading out to the veranda and gardens. From the family room a door opens to the side hall.  The side hall, which runs off the main  entrance hall, leads to the study, kitchen pantry, second staircase with understairs cupboard beneath, and side porch. The study, with high ceilings and ceiling rose has a sixteen pane sash window with shutters and side aspect, original built-in cupboards, large top glazed cabinet and carved wood fireplace. The kitchen, with hexagonal quarry tiled floor, benefits from a dual aspect with garden and side aspects and features pitch pine cabinets with butler's sink and wooden worktops. green tiles run around the room at half height and shelved alcoves and open shelving provide useful storage space. Set within a black marble fireplace and surrounded by attractive black and white patterned tiles is a stunning black AGA with two hotplates and three ovens. On wither side are full height cupboards providing plenty of useful storage.  Within the kitchen is space for a breakfast table to seat six people.  Across the hall as a generous pantry with flagstone floor, built-in cabinets, open shelving and space for white goods. Adjacent is the utility room with space and plumbing for a washing machine. At the rear of the house is a glazed porch/conservatory with quarry tiled floor and space for a small table and chairs.  On either side of the porch is a glazed veranda with space for outdoor furniture.

From the main hall the original staircase rises to a generous first floor landing.  This light filled space features exposed wooden floorboards, picture rail, dado rail, built-in cupboard and stunning stained glass windows at either end.  The principal bedroom, currently presented with an impressive four poster bed - not included, is a dual aspect room with exposed floorboards, deep skirting boards, large bay window and sixteen pane sash window both offering wonderful views over the surrounding gardens.  Adjacent is a similar sized room,  with exposed floorboards, painted wood fireplace with cast iron insert.  A bay window looks out to the side over the kitchen garden and orchard and a sash window offers views over open countryside to the Mendip Hills in the distance. To the rear, benefitting from a south facing view over the swimming pool and gardens is a further double bedroom with exposed floorboards and painted wood fireplace with cast iron insert. The fourth bedroom is again double in size and has exposed floorboards, painted fireplace with cast iron insert and a sash window with verdant views towards the Mendip Hills. From the landing, an attractive partition with castellated top, stained glass panels and door opens into a further area of landing, once the servants' quarters, with the second staircase down to the ground floor, airing cupboard housing the hot water cylinder, the fifth bedroom, WC and family bathroom. The fifth bedroom has a window to the side and a panelled partition which open to a dressing area with south facing aspect.  it would be possible ,subject to the necessary consents, to make this one large room.  The WC has a window to the side, WC and stained glass door.  Adjacent is the dual aspect family bathroom with freestanding roll top bath, wash basin and a wall of full height fitted cupboards, ideal for towels and linens, the final cupboard opens to reveal a shower enclosure.

Throughout the property are a number of period wall-mounted telephones, a lovely quirky addition.

OUTSIDE

To the front of the property, a five bar gate opens to the driveway which sweeps past the front of the house to a parking area and numerous outbuildings. To one side of the house is the partially walled kitchen garden and orchard with two traditional style greenhouses, a range of fruit trees and a monkey puzzle tree. Adjacent is a large expanse of south facing lawns surrounded by mature hedges, shrubs and trees and having a wooden playhouse. To the rear of the house, again enjoying a southerly aspect is the outdoor swimming pool - we are advised by the vendor that the pool and workings require some level of renovations.  From the lawn is a paddock with trough and dutch style barn currently housing a cider press.   

The property benefits from numerous outbuildings, thirteen in total, including an open fronted metal barn with parking for three cars and having light and power, workshop, stables (with two bays), gardeners toilet, several stores and an attractive creamery with hung tile exterior, quarry tiled floor, marble worktop, sink and stained glass window. 

LOCATION

The village of Polsham is situated between the City of Wells and the town of Glastonbury, approximately two miles from Wells.

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.

There are also many highly-regarded independent schools (Prep & Senior) within easy reach, such as All Hallows Prep School, Downside School, King’s in Bruton, Wells Cathedral School and Millfield School. For those travelling by train, Castle Cary station (which has direct services to London Paddington) is situated only twelve miles away. Both the City of Bristol and the Georgian City of Bath, a World Heritage Site, are located just 20 miles away and easily accessible.

TENURE

Freehold

HEATING

Oil fired heating

SERVICES

Private drainage (treatment plant), mains water and electricity.

VIEWING

Strictly by appointment with Cooper and Tanner. Tel: 01749 676524

LOCAL AUTHORITY

Somerset Council

COUNCIL TAX

Band 'G'

EPC RATING

Rating 'E'

DIRECTIONS

From Wells take the A39 signposted to Glastonbury, continue for approx. two miles through the village of Coxley, continue to the village of Polsham and take the first right and follow the road for approx 200m where the property can be found on the left.