Property description

A real hidden gem set in a third of an acre and located in one of the town's most prestigious locations. Offering characterful and spacious accommodation typical of its era, it truly offers the best of both worlds - stunning country views and the convenience of a pretty and thriving town centre nearby.

The Property
The property is reputed to have been built for a local businessman in the early 1930’s and all the attention to detail, particularly in its design elements from the Arts & Crafts period, is still clear to see. The house has a wonderful sense of symmetry from the front and is set back from the road, so you only really appreciate its beauty once you step through the gate and make your way up to the attractive stone portico that runs across the front aspect. This is a lovely spot to sit and enjoy the far-reaching westerly views which extend as far as the eye can see.

The original leaded front door and matching side panels open into a spacious entrance hall complete with its original panelling, exposed original terrazzo flooring and turning staircase leading up to the first floor. The layout of the hall gives a real feeling of space as soon as you walk in. By throwing open the double doors to both the living room and formal dining room you make a wonderful open-plan entertaining space. Both reception rooms have fireplaces and exposed floorboards, the living room fireplace has been swept in order for it to be used as a working open fireplace. The generously proportioned living room enjoys a dual aspect with south and west facing windows and flows through into a double-glazed conservatory on the southern side of the property. This provides a multi-functional room with electric panel heater if required in cooler months. This opens via double doors onto a patio, perfect for al fresco dining all day long.

At the rear of the hall is a traditional cloakroom, a really useful room in its own right with ample hanging space for coats and extra storage as well as a wash hand basin and separate WC. The kitchen has been replaced by the current owners with tasteful contemporary blue-grey units comprising floor and wall mounted storage cupboards, drawers and central island unit with marble effect work surfaces incorporating one and a half bowl single drainer sink unit and mixer tap. There is space for both your washing machine and dishwasher. The former chimney breast houses a gas 5-ring hob and undercounter electric oven, whilst to one corner is a handy walk-in pantry cupboard. The kitchen is complemented by white metro-style tiling which very much suits the feel of the property, and there’s a lovely view over the garden to the rear.

Beyond the kitchen a lobby with door to the front patio leads through to a spacious former utility / store, which has been converted into a substantial music room / home office. Providing great versatility for a multitude of uses it’s ideal if you need to work from home, or need a space for indoor hobbies. It has been fitted with double glazed windows and doors to triple aspect including a full length picture window to the front. To one corner a boiler cupboard houses a Worcester Bosch combi boiler installed in 2020. A door leads out to the rear garden.

On the first floor the original 1930’s banister and spindles edge the landing. The master bedroom enjoys a double aspect with far reaching views of the town and countryside to the south and west. A generous range of fitted wardrobes provides ample storage as do further under-eaves cupboards. An en suite bathroom includes a panelled bath with electric shower over, WC, and vanity wash hand basin. Bedroom 2 is another lovely double room, perfect for guests as its position at the other side of the property sets it apart slightly from the master bedroom. It also enjoys a double aspect with plenty of natural light. There are two further good size rooms, one with under eaves storage.

The family bathroom has been updated and includes a white suite including bath with shower over, WC and wash hand basin.

Outside
From the roadside a path leads up through the garden via an iron gate and steps to the front of the property. The single garage is located along the front boundary with up and over door, and outside lighting lights the path. A tiered front garden is landscaped with mature evergreen shrubs, ornamental trees including Prunus and Rowan and formal clipped hedging. A small sunken patio is edged with box bushes and wide stone steps lead up to the impressive portico framed with stone columns and arched windows to either end - very reminiscent of its period. Even in the hottest of summers it is a wonderful sheltered spot to sit and wait for the sun to go down, and perfect for entertaining.
The “north” patio is a handy area perfect for storage of your recycling etc whilst to the lower south-west corner of the garden is a further useful area screened with beech hedging ideal for garden storage. This lies adjacent to a lean-to greenhouse with power connected.

Steps lead up to the main patio which extends across the south side of the property and into the less formal sweeping lawns, herbaceous borders and mature shrubs which make up the rest of the rear gardens. Of particular note the grassy bank behind the house is a real picture in spring, full of native primroses. A path leads across the rear of the house with stone retaining wall, leading to the rear music room door. Above the music room is a small timber garden shed. There is also an outside tap. To the south-east corner of the rear garden is a separate garden, stocked with espalier apple and pear trees, and offering keen gardeners the chance to reinstate the vegetable plot. A gate leads onto a pedestrian access path giving access to Higher Beacon.

The main town centre of Ilminster lies within walking distance of the property, with its good variety of independent stores. These are mostly centred around the market square and 15th century Minster church and have everything you need from an award-winning butcher’s, delicatessen, cheese and dairy shop, super hardware store, homewares, antiques stores, clothes boutiques and gift shops. Ilminster is well served by a town-centre Tesco store with ample free parking. Alongside is a bowls club and tennis club and close-by a town library. There is also an excellent Co-op store with adjacent Peacocks clothes store. Ilminster Arts Centre is a vibrant arts venue with a licensed café and there are plenty of other places to eat, including pubs, cafes and restaurants. The town has several hairdressers / beauty salons, a dental surgery, first and middle schools (soon to combine to a two-tier system) and a modern health centre with two doctors' surgeries. This area of South Somerset remains very much unspoilt. It lies within easy reach of the lovely Jurassic coastline with its many beautiful beaches and historic seaside towns such as Lyme Regis within 30 minutes’ drive, whilst just a short drive away are the Blackdown Hills, another aonb perfect for walking and cycling. Slightly further afield (and visible from this property on a clear day) are the Quantock Hills, to the west of Taunton. In terms of accessibility it offers the best of both worlds with excellent road links such as the A30 and A358 (which in turn connects to the M5 and A303).<br/><br/>
Amenities

Detached character "Arts and Crafts" residence

Set in c. 033 acres

Sought-after address with stunning views

Walking distance of town

4 Bedrooms, Master en suite, Family Bathroom

Spacious Hall, traditional Cloakroom

Recently fitted kitchen, separate Dining Room

Superb dual-aspect Sitting Room, Conservatory

Music Room / Home Office

Gas central heating, Garage