Location
Greendown House sits in the peaceful hamlet of Greendown, approximately 1.8 miles from Chewton Mendip, which is a picturesque village nestled in the scenic countryside of Somerset. Situated on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the area offers a tranquil rural atmosphere characterised by rolling hills, lush woodlands, and expansive farmland. Nearby Chewton Mendip boasts a traditional pub, village shop and a historic church, St. Mary Magdalene. The surrounding landscape is dotted with ancient stone walls, hidden footpaths, and scenic byways, making it a popular area for walking, cycling, and outdoor pursuits.
The World Heritage City of Bath is approximately 15 miles away and famed for its Georgian architecture, Thermae Spa, many festivals as well as its retail and gastro experiences.
The city of Bristol is some 15 miles to the north and once again offers a fine range of amenities and its famous harbour.
The beautiful Cathedral City of Wells is 8 miles; Wells is the smallest city in England and offers a range of shopping facilities including a Waitrose, and the pretty market square holds a farmer's market on Wednesday and Saturday. For those wanting a more local gastro experience there is The Pig at Bath as well as Babington House in Mells are within a short drive from the property.
There are a variety of well-regarded schools in the area including Wells Cathedral school, Downside and Millfield, as well as many popular independent schools in Bath. The area is well known for its variety of sporting and leisure facilities. Walking and cycling may be undertaken locally. There is a leisure centre at Wells, golf courses at Farrington Gurney, Mendip, Wells and Orchardleigh, sailing at Chew Valley Lake and fishing also at Chew Valley and Blagdon Lakes. Horse Racing takes place at Bath and Wincanton. Situated close to the A39 and close to the Mendip Hills, an area of outstanding beauty.
Greendown House benefits from excellent transport links including both road and rail services with direct trains to London Paddington from Castle Cary Station (16 miles), Bristol (15 miles) and Bath (15 miles). Access to the A303 provides fast links to London and the West Country whilst Bristol Airport is approximately 12 miles away.
Description
Greendown House is a delightfully charming unlisted family home with wonderful, far-reaching views. Thought to date from the mid 19th Century, the current owners have greatly improved and restored the house to former glories over nearly 30 years of ownership. The property enjoys beautiful gardens and grounds as well as breathtaking views of the Mendips, and has the added benefit of a two bedroom coach house, stabling and further outbuildings, along with about 15.8 acres.
Greendown House is arranged laterally across just two floors, and provides expansive lateral accommodation and excellent proportions throughout, with its principal reception rooms arranged across the front of the house to take best advantage of the delightful views. Entered via a grand entrance hall, the ground floor provides four generous reception rooms, including the drawing room with its attractive canted bay window and the dining room, which are co-joined to create a superb entertaining space, with sliding doors which can be used to separate the two rooms when needed. Both rooms enjoy tall ceilings and large windows with ornate joinery from which to enjoy the view.
At the eastern end of the house is a large, rustic country kitchen with shaker style units, blue lias stone floors, tall ceilings and access out to the rear and side gardens. The snug is open plan to the kitchen with a feature fireplace and a connecting door to the drawing room and another to the front garden. Leading back down the corridor are a collection of useful rooms, including a utility/boot room, study, larder and two WCs. At the western end of the house is a large study, which was added by the existing owners and provides a dual aspect of the front and rear gardens, as well as an attractive open fireplace.
The first floor is serviced by two staircases at either end of the house, one in the main entrance hall, and another from the kitchen. All five bedrooms have generous proportions, and are catered for by three bathrooms. The principal bedroom is a particular highlight as it sits within the bay window at the centre of the house, enjoying the wonderful views, as well as providing fitted cupboards and a large en suite bathroom.
Garden & Grounds
The grounds of Greendown House are very special indeed with the house and gardens situated in just over two acres . Wooden gates open from the lane in to an expansive gravelled front drive, with ample parking. The formal garden is laid out in front of the house, with two large lawns surrounded by mature herbaceous borders and well stocked flower beds. Walled to the sides, the garden is a beautiful and peaceful area from which to enjoy the far reaching views. Beyond the lawned garden is a separate paddock flanked by an outbuilding currently utilised for storage.
To the north of Greendown House across the old stable yard a former Coach House provides ancillary accommodation in the form of a two bedroom, single-storey dwelling. In need of some modernisation, this is the ideal annexe, holiday let or guess accommodation.
To the rear of the garden and adjacent to the Coach House is a mature parterre garden, flanked by an impressive wall on to the village lane, which provides a sheltered and highly attractive area of garden.
A secondary entrance from the lane provides access to the Coach House and further useful outbuildings, which could be converted, subject to obtaining planning permission, and are currently utilised as further stables, log store, workshop and storage.
Across the lane from the main house is a further 13.7 acres of pasture and paddocks. A timber four-berth stable block is situated up an easily accessible gravelled drive.
12 further acres are available by separate negotiation.