Property Name: Court Essington

Details:

An Introduction

As tall green gates part, a fabulous secret is revealed; Hidden away is a captivating fairy-tale house in golden coloured Bath stone, festooned with greenery. This grand period property has been completely renovated with great style and warmth and mixes period detail with contemporary glamour and a family friendly vibe. It has all the luxury of light, space, lovely views and complete privacy so as to enjoy its 6 acres of sunny landscaped gardens, along with large heated pool and tennis court, all within a delightful rural setting and only 10 minutes to Bath City Centre by car. The main house can accommodate up to 16 guests and a further 8 guests in the Coach House.

Location

The house is on the Somerset border, just outside the village of Midford and is 2.6 miles from The City of Bath or approx. 10 mins by car. The nearest railway station is Bath Spa in Bath City Centre where there are frequent trains to and from London, Paddington, approx 1.5 hours away, Private helicopters can be landed (by arrangement) at Coombe Grove Manor Country Club, approx 6 mins by car.

The History

This attractive Arts and Crafts style house began in 1905 and was finally completed in 1917. It evolved with its many owners with added references to Victorian Gothic. It has recently been renovated by the award winning architect David Archer, who retained all the fine features and adapted the house to suit contemporary life, with luxurious designer details in every room.

The Ground Floor

The entrance is an impressive galleried hall with a luminous Venetian glass chandelier. This leads to a dramatic drawing room reflecting the proportions of a renaissance chapel with a huge ornate gothic stone window and a 25`` vaulted ceiling. There are two long contemporary sofas and two arm chairs set on oak floors around a beautiful open fire-place with engraved stone surround.

There is a further sofa on a raised seating area surrounded by windows. Perfect for curling up with your favourite book. For your entertainment there is a Yamaha Baby Grand piano, an electric guitar with an amp, as well as a large TV with DVD and SKY Multiroom.

Leading off the drawing room is another cream paneled living room or family room with two capacious 3 and 4-seater sofas by another beautiful fireplace. Here there is a TV with sky HD, DVD and Bose entertainment system that can be channeled throughout the house via speakers in every room and outside on the terrace.

Both of these rooms lead out to a south-facing orangerie with polished travertine floor where you can gather under crystal chandeliers at a long French dining table to seat 16. Repair for drinks at a sumptuous seating area combining chairs and a sofa and enjoy the romantic surroundings overlooking the beautiful grounds and starry skies above.

On the half-landing is a paneled card room which hosts an office and library and can be used as a double bedroom if required. There is a large desk, Wi-Fi, a computer and a broad selection of reading material. There is also a large double sofa bed for 2 people, coffee table and 2 reading chairs. There are three entry phones at various convenient locations around the house.

The Kitchen

This large, sociable space has ribbons of grey granite worktops and cream fitted units housing everything needed to entertain a large gathering. There is a large traditional Aga with two gas ovens and two further electric ovens and an additional gas hob. There is a great American style fridge-freezer with ice-maker, 2 dishwashers, a microwave and lots of kitchen gadgetry for those who want to cook up a storm. A separate pantry has been fitted with seamless storage and integrated two further fridge/freezers. There is a breakfast bar and a long informal dining table leading into an elegant east-facing morning room with handsome 1930`s furniture from a filming of `Poirot` The two combined tables can seat 16. French doors lead out onto a morning terrace where you can sip your tea by the herb garden. There is a large outdoor table and chairs for alfresco dining.

There is a large separate fitted utility room with 2 washing machines and a dryer, ironing facility, and double sink. There is a cloakroom, a boot room with a larger cloakroom alongside. The boot room is filled with wellies, tennis racquets and tents should the children decide to have a camp out in the grounds.

The First Floor (sleeps 6)

The Master bedroom is entered via a dream of a dressing room in duck-egg blue with oak floors. Continue into a large tranquil bedroom facing east and south and capturing panoramic views of rolling Somerset and Wiltshire countryside. It has a super-king bed, with TV and DVD, and gas effect fire. The ensuite continues the New England style and features twin hand basins, a roll-top bath, a separate shower tiled in carrera marble, a wc and a spacious window seat where you absorb the view.

Another luxurious double room with a super-king bed is dressed in cream and mink with a grand sofa and ornamental French wardrobe. There is a TV and a gas effect fire. There is a marble wet room with walk-in shower, hand basin and wc.

At the end of this floor is a changing room stocked with towels for the pool, with cloakroom on one side and large shower room and hand basin on the other. This leads to the pool via a lovely bridge set into graceful terraced gardens.

On a half landing is a twin room with two single beds that can be zipped together to make a superking. There is an antique wardrobe and fitted drawers with shelving above.

The Second Floor (sleeps 8-10)

Here is a twin room in a gable overlooking the pool. The youngsters will want this room as it makes a great den complete with two double futons, TV and Play station.

Enter via the dressing room to another large double room with double-sized bed and spacious ensuite with roll-top bath, wc, hand basin and large walk-in shower.

Next is a twin room with beds that zip together to make a super-king. There is lots of fitted storage and a separate bathroom across the corridor under the eaves with roll-top bath, hand basin and wc.

Finally at the far end is a large sunny double room with king-sized bed and lots of fitted storage and a dressing table and reading chair. There is access here to a fine roof-top terrace with wonderful views of the grounds framed by tall limes which are lit up at dusk.

The Pool

Set within a beautiful walled garden with deep herbaceous borders and a wild-flower walk is a turquoise heated pool measuring 6m x 12m. There is a broad sundeck with large round table, chairs and parasol, and plenty of teak sun-loungers. Alongside is a contemporary glass games room complete with mini pool table, table tennis and a kitchen facility allowing you to keep the drinks cool. There is also a netted trampoline tucked away in the corner.



The Grounds

Wrapping around the house are 6 acres of gardens and parkland beautifully laid out by Paola Brigatto, architect and landscape gardener. There is a splendid pergola and sunken garden with stone benches and seating, heavenly in the spring. You can follow a woodland footpath to the Faerie Garden with magical streams and ponds on descending levels and teaming with wild-life. The tennis court is located just down from the coach house. If you are Wimbledon standard you may be disappointed but it is certainly good enough standard to enjoy a friendly knock. Continue on this path to the lower lawns with a rose-bound vegetable garden. Tucked away here are stables and wide gates that access the lane and allow for car-parking on the grass for as many visitors as you require. The manicured lawns stretch out punctuated by mature trees including walnut, birch, beaches, chestnut, willow and yew.

The house and grounds are completely private. There are many country walks from your doorstep and plenty of OS maps and guides in the house.

Pubs and restaurants

Follow the old Midford Road on foot beside the garden and in 5 minutes you can be at the Hope and Anchor, (01225 832296) one of Bath`s finest Gastro Pubs. The Wheatsheaf in Combe Hay (01225 833504) is 5 minutes in the car and has excellent fine dining. Another gastro Pub less than 5 minutes by car is The Wheelwright in Monkton Combe. (01225 722287)

Places of Interest

Coombe Grove Manor Hotel and Country Club (01225 834644) open from 9am - 10pm or 8pm at weekends, is 6 mins by car and has a driving range and restaurant. Day passes costing £20.00 will enable you to use the heated indoor pool, gym, spa facilities and tennis courts. Beauty treatments need to be booked in advance and pamper packages are available starting from £85.00.

Bath is only 10 mins by car and a world heritage site with many architectural treasures. There are excellent restaurants and bars, great shopping and entertainment, and fascinating museums and galleries.

30 mins drive takes you to Lacock Abbey, Longleat and Stourhead. 45 mins drive to Stonehenge, Wells and Salisbury Cathedrals. There are many pretty villages, towns and National Trust Properties to visit nearby. (Call Tourist Information Center 0906 711 2000)

The Coach house (sleeps 8)

This stone house with an award winning contemporary extension by architect David Archer is tucked neatly to the side of the main house and not overlooked. It is great self-contained space with a wonderful aspect and can comfortably accommodate up to 8. The open-plan kitchen with breakfast bar and stools has glossy white fitted units, gas hob, electric oven, microwave and large fridge and separate freezer. A separate utility off the lobby houses a washing machine and dryer. It opens out into a wonderful large living space with oak floors and huge oak picture windows looking over the lush greenery. Contemplate the peace and beauty of the grounds seated at an outdoor table and chairs in a covered loggia. Inside, a long oak dining table seats 10. There is an elegant walnut sideboard and built-in storage with a cleverly concealed office. There is a generous L-shaped sofa and armchairs and TV with Sky HD and DVD. Here too is a spacious shower room with wc and hand basin and large walk-in shower. Upstairs is another contemporary tiled bathroom with bath, wc and hand basin. There are three large luxurious double bedrooms with stylish oak furniture. The largest is a huge vaulted suite with wonderful green vistas and double doors leading out to long decked balcony. There is a a super-king bed and a large sofa-bed, TV, DVD and lots of storage.

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