A beautifully refurbished and extended period farmhouse set in 2.65 acres and overlooking unspoilt, open countryside.
Dating back to 1807, Barton Wood is a charming example of a Somerset farmhouse of the period. The property underwent considerable improvements and extensions during the Georgian era. It is also unlisted and has been the much-loved home of the current owners since 2005. In 2007 the property was largely rebuilt and has been completely refurbished to a very high standard, both inside and out, in a way that faithfully and cleverly combines its Georgian origins with modern family living. This has been achieved by reconfiguring the ground floor to combine the kitchen and adjacent sitting and dining rooms into a wonderful single space that is perfectly suited to both entertaining and family living. Its external walls are covered with painted render alongside beautifully made, tall double glazed windows with solid oak frames, all sheltering under a traditional slate roof. The property benefits from facing south and looks out across its large garden and adjoining unspoilt countryside.Overall, it has five reception rooms plus a garden room that has floor to ceiling windows facing south and west to catch the sunlight throughout the day. The kitchen, which was designed and fitted by Smallbone of Devizes, is superb and is filled with natural light that flows down through a large rooflight illuminating the room below.It is fitted with handmade, pale walnut units including a large central island, all resting on a stone-tiled floor, granite work surfaces, a new generation electric AGA and a wide range of built-in electric appliances. There is also a spacious study which includes an enclosed desk.The upstairs accommodation consists of a principal bedroom suite incorporating a separate dressing room with natural wood (maple) units, handmade by Smallbone and an en suite bath and shower room, four further good-sized double bedrooms, family bath and shower room and a further shower room. The house has retained its rustic charm with original beams and ceiling timbers, now complimented by french limestone, tile and timber flooring on the ground floor. It is also immaculately presented and has clearly been maintained to a very high standard.Garden and groundsBarton Wood is approached down a no-through lane, with a short approach drive through electrically operated, timber gates to a gravelled parking area with ample space for several cars. This lies about 20 yards from the houseand to one side is a large stone/timber-clad outbuilding incorporating a double carport, two adjacent stores plus a plant room to the rear.The house itself is also fringed by extensive paved terraces including a patio which incorporates a rill and a David Harbor water sundial feature. This provides a wonderful place to fully enjoy from the garden and view in fineweather and also providing a lovely spot for outside dining and entertaining. A wide, handsome flight of stone steps leads gently down from the terrace to the formal part of the garden and the heated swimming pool.To the west of the house is a charming, old fashioned kitchen garden with a timber Victorian-style greenhouse that overlooks beds fringed with clipped box and espaliered fruit trees.Behind the house is a small area of woodland leading to an area of pasture planted with a mixed orchard. In all the garden and grounds are landscaped and planted to minimise maintenance and extends to about 2.65 acres (1 hectare).
Barton Wood is situated on the edge of the hamlet of Upper Cheddon, which lies between Kingston St Mary and Cheddon Fitzpaine about 1.5 miles distant. Cheddon Fitzpaine has a church and primary school and is surrounded by open farmland criss-crossed by a network of footpaths and bridleways. The village also sits at the foot of the Quantock Hills, which were the first to be designated AONB in the UK. These are very conveniently accessible on foot in minutes f