A fine detached 6 bedroom period family home on three floors in the village of Cross, situated on the edge of the Mendip Hills.

Description - Summary

A fine detached 6 bedroom period family home on three floors in the village of Cross, situated on the edge of the Mendip Hills. The flexible accommodation which has been improved and extended over the years comprises; entrance hall, sitting room, snug, dining room, conservatory, spacious landing, 5 double bedrooms, single bedroom, a study/craft room, family bathroom, shower room and self-contained adjoining annexe with reception room, shower room and kitchen. Outside there is a barn, incorporating a further utility room, which has potential for conversion to further accommodation (subject to planning permissions), a double garage and the property sits in attractive lawned gardens with magnificent unspoilt views over to Crook Peak and the surrounding hills.

The front entrance to this character home is approached via a gate and path leading to a wooden front door with glazed panel. This leads into the bright hallway with oak flooring and dado rail, off which are the principal rooms and stairs to the first floor.

The cosy sitting room to the left has an attractive wooden fireplace with gas fired stove and window to the front, built in storage cupboards and shelving.

To the right is the snug, with Victorian fireplace, incorporating a Jetmaster wood fire, and windows to the front and oak flooring.

At the rear of the house is a dining room, again with attractive feature fireplace and wooden flooring. A part glazed door leads out to the rear garden and an internal window overlooks the conservatory.

The beautifully appointed kitchen has a range of cream fitted units, granite worktops, and a one and a half bowl stainless steel sink, Rangemaster oven with gas hob, integrated dishwasher, space for a tall fridge/freezer, laminate flooring and window with views to the rear. A glazed door leads through to the conservatory.

A passage leads through to the adjoining annexe. This benefits from its own exterior door and has a spacious dual aspect reception room, with inset wine rack to one wall, laminate flooring and covered radiator. Next to this room is a modern shower room with walk-in shower cubicle, WC and wash basin. There is also a kitchen with a good range of fitted cupboards, a sink and room for fridge or freezer and washing machine. This additional accommodation would be perfect for a dependent or relative, or for B&B.

The conservatory has the most stunning outlook with uninterrupted views over the back lawn, neighbouring fields and edge of the Mendip Hills, including Crook Peak. The roof has been upgraded with an insulated solid roof, keeping it cool in summer thereby allowing use throughout the year.
Stairs rise from the hall to the first floor which opens onto a very spacious landing with window overlooking the rear. To the left are two double bedrooms with storage cupboards, a family bathroom with oval bath, WC, basin, bidet and storage cupboard which houses the boiler with slatted shelving. Down a couple of steps are a further single bedroom and a shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC.

To the right of the stairs is another double bedroom with a smaller double bedroom currently used as a dressing room with fitted cupboards and another room used as a study/craft room. (NB plumbing is in place for this to be a potential en suite for the main bedroom).

A flight of steps leads up to a further double bedroom with velux window and a generous under-eaves storage space. (NB plumbing could easily be extended to provide a further potential en suite on this floor). The property benefits from good storage throughout.

Outside
The gardens are delightful, wrapping around the house with several different seating areas. A path winds around to the rear of the house with a variety of thriving shrubs, and there are a number of water taps distributed around the garden together with an waterproof external electrical socket . The peaceful and sunny west-facing rear garden is mostly laid to lawn with more mature shrubs and trees and bordered by hedging and fencing. A terrace borders the rear of the house, which is ideal for outdoor dining and taking in the views. To one side, accessed from the road via a five-bar gate, is a gravelled parking area, ample for several vehicles. A wooden hut houses a wood fired sauna, outside of which is an outdoor shower. There is also a wood fired hot tub and a lean-to greenhouse.

The double garage has light and power and electronically operated up-and-over doors.
Also in the garden is an old brick-built outbuilding with a newly installed electric supply/consumer unit, drainage and water which could be developed into accommodation or studio with the necessary consent (the building has been granted permissive development approval for additional accommodation to the main house). Part of the building is currently used as a utility room with a range of units and stainless steel sink, with the rest forming a large workshop and a woodstore.

Situation

Cross is a small Somerset village at the southern end of the Mendip Hills, a Designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village has two public houses, with a further public house and a garage /convenience store within easy walking distance in the adjoining village of Lower Weare. It is located close to the historic town of Axbridge which has a variety of small shops, cafes and public houses. Axbridge offers a range of shops and pubs as well as the well regarded Axbridge first school and other local first, middle and secondary schools include Weare First School, The Kings of Wessex in Cheddar 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 7 miles away, Bristol International Airport is 11 miles away and the City of Wells approximately 12 miles away. Bristol is within a half hour drive or can be reached from nearby Worle train station in 25 minutes. Worle also has direct trains to London Paddington which take 2 hours.

.Mains gas central heating
.Small sewage treatment plant (8 to 10 person capacity) conforming to latest Environment Agency's General Binding Rules 2020
.Truespeed ultra-high broadband with power over ethernet 8 point switching and 3 wireless access points to provide exceptional Wi-Fi roaming connectivity throughout the property, plus two hard wired ethernet in the snug, and a further hard wired ethernet connection within the annex
.Double glazing throughout
.Council Tax: Sedgemoor Band G
Freehold
EPC Rating D

Seller Insight - Set in the tranquil and soft scenery at the foothills of the Mendip Hills, intertwined with a secret network of country lanes providing a wealth of possibilities. It was the draw of living in such rich and mesmerising countryside that brought the owners of Riverton House to this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. They hadn't been looking at any particular village, but when they viewed this property, they knew they had found their home.

"The house had lots of character and original features. I believe it was originally an old farm cottage that has been added onto over the years; this has created various levels with steps leading to different rooms. It was this quirkiness, the privacy, the space inside and outside, access to walks and above all the views, that won us over." On top of this, the property has some beautiful features, including wonderful fireplaces in a number some of the rooms.

The owners have installed a Jet Master woodburning open fire in the living room, which is incredibly efficient and has a low impact on the environment. It makes the space warm and cosy and helps circulate heat throughout the house. You will discover other interesting features as you view the property, such as sloping ceilings in some of the rooms.

"We love to spend time in the conservatory. It has the most fantastic views, making it so peaceful and relaxing in the evening with a glass of wine watching the stunning sunsets. The field behind is owned by the neighbouring equestrian retirement home, so you often spot horses as well as an abundance of wildlife. It is a pleasure to see such a variety of birds and nature's colours, as the seasons change."

When it comes to the garden, you have space and a wealth of potential. The space is sectioned into three different areas, most of which is lawned and bordered by hedges and trees. It is a lovely garden for pottering and relaxing, and offers a perfect blank canvas to enable you to add features, landscaping and show off your horticultural talents.

To the side, you will find a place where you can indulge with the woodburning hot tub and sauna: "friends and family have enjoyed these facilities and the grandkids love splashing around in the hot tub. It is magical on a clear night, as there is very little light pollution so you get to enjoy the most magnificent starry nights."

The property also comes with a double garage and a barn, with the barn having potential to be converted into extra living accommodation. One end has already been converted into a very handy extra utility area, which the current owners use for extra storage and an additional freezer.

One of the features the owners have particularly loved is the accessibility of walks, just a short walk from the house is a public footpath leading along the river towards the popular Crook Peak. "Head towards the village and you are on the foothills of many walks, suitable whatever your ability, from flat walks to hill walks - there is something for everyone."

It is also only a short walk to the village which has two pubs, both very popular, as well as a vibrant village hall used by a number of societies. Axbridge is only around a five-minute drive and has a small local shop, pharmacy and Post Office, among other amenities. For a greater selection, Cheddar is less than a 10-minute drive away, or there is Burnham-on-Sea and Weston-Super-Mare.

"We have loved living here. We will certainly miss the views and the walks; you can never tire of them. You feel part of nature as you witness the colour display as the seasons change and new weather systems draw in."
This is certainly a home and location that will appeal to those who love the outdoors, and when those muddy boots are put aside, you can cosy up in front of a roaring fire.