Key Information
Price
£1,750,000
Property Type
house
Bedrooms
5
Bathrooms
3
Tenure
freehold
Reference
32483357
Property Description
A beautifully presented, L-shaped, 5 bedroom, stone-built house under a pantiled roof in over 3 ½ acres of mature gardens, paddock with pony shelter, copses, an orchard and a swimming pool, quietly situated in an elevated position in the hamlet of Top Sutton in the popular Chew Valley, with lovely views over to Chew Valley Lake.
Vine House has medieval origins and has been substantially changed through the 17th and 19th Centuries. Today the house is a perfect blend of attractive retained period features, such as exposed beams, inglenook fireplace, thick walls, deep sills and latched doors, and contemporary fittings, such as a newly renovated kitchen and luxury bathrooms, ideal for a family residence.
The accommodation on the ground floor comprises a reception hall, sitting room, study, drawing room, dining room and playroom/breakfast room, kitchen, utility room and downstairs cloakroom. Upstairs you will find a master bedroom suite with dressing room, bathroom, 4 further bedrooms, a family bathroom and one en suite bath/shower rooms. There is a bootroom and also a bin store. Surrounding the house are beautifully maintained mature gardens, a paddock, an orchard and a swimming pool with pool house, a summerhouse ,a dog kennel and run and finally a wooden stable.
The property is approached via a tarmac driveway from the lane, which leads to a generous parking space to the side of the house, ample for several vehicles and a garage block (previously an old stable) with four up-and-over garage doors.
The entrance door is to the side of the house under a stone porch. This leads into a small lobby off which is a calm and spacious dual aspect reception room, used as a study. The lobby leads through a glazed door into an impressive and spacious reception hall with, herringbone flooring and stairs leading to the gallery landing.
The property has five reception rooms on the ground floor, including a smaller sitting room, the focal point of which is a lovely inglenook fireplace with log burning stove which makes a perfect cosy den for the family and watching tv. The sunny south facing drawing room has a working fireplace with wooden surround and slate hearth, wooden floorboards and a door which connects to the study. There are two further sunny south facing reception rooms, one which leads through glazed doors to the kitchen and is currently the dining room. The end room on this floor is a sunny family/breakfast room. This is in the 18th Century part of the house with lower ceiling and a range of old cupboards, an oak floor and three windows overlooking the garden. An old door connects the dining room to the breakfast room via 3 old stone steps.
The well-appointed luxury kitchen was renovated in 2019 with a range of bespoke cream wooden units and integrated appliances. There is an electric Aga with small electric oven incorporated, a double sink, granite worktops and a breakfast bar to one end. This room benefits from underfloor heating along with the adjacent utility room. At the end is a wide picture window looking out onto the garden, with a further window over the sink to the side aspect. The utility room was built in 2014 and has 4 velux windows, a butler sink, washing machine and cupboards with a limestone tiled floor and stable door onto the garden.
Upstairs are five good sized double bedrooms. Once again there is lots of natural light to all rooms. The master bedroom is triple aspect with an adjacent dressing room, with a good range of fitted cupboards and a more quirky feature is a cupboard housing a washbasin unit, a shaving basin installed for a former gentleman occupant of the house. Another feature of this room is a beautiful fireplace with a carved vine motif in the surround – a nod to the name of the house. The en suite is a sumptuously designed with a freestanding claw foot roll top bath with WC and bidet and walk-in shower and window overlooking the front garden.
The family ‘Jack and Jill’ bathroom has a panelled bath with shower over, low level WC and pedestal wash basin and built-in medicine cupboard. Bedroom 2 has a fitted wash basin unit, a fitted chest unit and a full-length cupboard. Bedroom 3 is dual aspect and has a door into the family bathroom. Bedroom 4 is the smallest and is a later addition, with a wash basin, a cupboard and shelving to the alcove. Bedroom 5 is the guest area and has an en suite shower room and views over to the lake.
Outside
Vine House has a pretty lawned garden with a scree garden with shrubs, bordered with low stone wall. To the rear is a garden with swimming pool and paved surround. Steps lead up to a summerhouse. To the left of the pool is an orchard with a wonderful array of fruit trees including cooking apple, pear, plum, cherry and quince. For the green fingered, there is a greenhouse and for animal lovers, a substantial kennel with a fenced run and a wooden stable. A path leads alongside the side of the house to a paddock with a shelter, ideal for keeping a pony or two. From the top of the field, there are wonderful far-reaching views to the lake. There are also two areas of copse which contribute to the supply of wood for the fires. Part of the garage block is used as a log store. The garden is a haven for wildlife and a private and safe spot for children to play.
History
Vine Farm has a fascinating history with a list of illustrious previous occupants. It was built as a farm tenement of the bishops of Wells and granted for a brief time to the Duke of Somerset until sold in 1575 to Edward Baber, becoming part of the Baber Manor. In the 17th Century the house was re-orientated to face south rather than west and the house was extended accordingly. Further changes took place through the 19th century and there have been more recent additions including the utility room and bedroom extension.
Location
The small hamlet of Top Sutton is situated on the northern slopes of the Mendip Hills, a short walk from the larger village of Bishop Sutton. This active Somerset village has facilities including shops, post office and store, community library, tennis club, a church and The Red Lion Pub. There is a choice of state schools including Bishop Sutton at primary level and the well-regarded Chew Valley and Churchill Academy Schools for secondary level are within easy distance. There are independent schools in Bath, Bristol, Wells and Sidcot. There are a wide range of outdoor pursuits available including sailing and walking at nearby Blagdon and Chew Valley Lake, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest as well as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The property is conveniently located for travel. There is easy access to M5 via Junction 21 for the motorway network and Bristol Airport is just over 8 miles away.
Oil central heating (tank replaced in 2017)
Mains drainage
Double glazed windows throughout (12 replaced 2018-2020)
Truespeed broadband
3.80 acres
Council Tax: Bath and North East Somerset, Band G
Intruder alarm
Not Listed
Vine House has medieval origins and has been substantially changed through the 17th and 19th Centuries. Today the house is a perfect blend of attractive retained period features, such as exposed beams, inglenook fireplace, thick walls, deep sills and latched doors, and contemporary fittings, such as a newly renovated kitchen and luxury bathrooms, ideal for a family residence.
The accommodation on the ground floor comprises a reception hall, sitting room, study, drawing room, dining room and playroom/breakfast room, kitchen, utility room and downstairs cloakroom. Upstairs you will find a master bedroom suite with dressing room, bathroom, 4 further bedrooms, a family bathroom and one en suite bath/shower rooms. There is a bootroom and also a bin store. Surrounding the house are beautifully maintained mature gardens, a paddock, an orchard and a swimming pool with pool house, a summerhouse ,a dog kennel and run and finally a wooden stable.
The property is approached via a tarmac driveway from the lane, which leads to a generous parking space to the side of the house, ample for several vehicles and a garage block (previously an old stable) with four up-and-over garage doors.
The entrance door is to the side of the house under a stone porch. This leads into a small lobby off which is a calm and spacious dual aspect reception room, used as a study. The lobby leads through a glazed door into an impressive and spacious reception hall with, herringbone flooring and stairs leading to the gallery landing.
The property has five reception rooms on the ground floor, including a smaller sitting room, the focal point of which is a lovely inglenook fireplace with log burning stove which makes a perfect cosy den for the family and watching tv. The sunny south facing drawing room has a working fireplace with wooden surround and slate hearth, wooden floorboards and a door which connects to the study. There are two further sunny south facing reception rooms, one which leads through glazed doors to the kitchen and is currently the dining room. The end room on this floor is a sunny family/breakfast room. This is in the 18th Century part of the house with lower ceiling and a range of old cupboards, an oak floor and three windows overlooking the garden. An old door connects the dining room to the breakfast room via 3 old stone steps.
The well-appointed luxury kitchen was renovated in 2019 with a range of bespoke cream wooden units and integrated appliances. There is an electric Aga with small electric oven incorporated, a double sink, granite worktops and a breakfast bar to one end. This room benefits from underfloor heating along with the adjacent utility room. At the end is a wide picture window looking out onto the garden, with a further window over the sink to the side aspect. The utility room was built in 2014 and has 4 velux windows, a butler sink, washing machine and cupboards with a limestone tiled floor and stable door onto the garden.
Upstairs are five good sized double bedrooms. Once again there is lots of natural light to all rooms. The master bedroom is triple aspect with an adjacent dressing room, with a good range of fitted cupboards and a more quirky feature is a cupboard housing a washbasin unit, a shaving basin installed for a former gentleman occupant of the house. Another feature of this room is a beautiful fireplace with a carved vine motif in the surround – a nod to the name of the house. The en suite is a sumptuously designed with a freestanding claw foot roll top bath with WC and bidet and walk-in shower and window overlooking the front garden.
The family ‘Jack and Jill’ bathroom has a panelled bath with shower over, low level WC and pedestal wash basin and built-in medicine cupboard. Bedroom 2 has a fitted wash basin unit, a fitted chest unit and a full-length cupboard. Bedroom 3 is dual aspect and has a door into the family bathroom. Bedroom 4 is the smallest and is a later addition, with a wash basin, a cupboard and shelving to the alcove. Bedroom 5 is the guest area and has an en suite shower room and views over to the lake.
Outside
Vine House has a pretty lawned garden with a scree garden with shrubs, bordered with low stone wall. To the rear is a garden with swimming pool and paved surround. Steps lead up to a summerhouse. To the left of the pool is an orchard with a wonderful array of fruit trees including cooking apple, pear, plum, cherry and quince. For the green fingered, there is a greenhouse and for animal lovers, a substantial kennel with a fenced run and a wooden stable. A path leads alongside the side of the house to a paddock with a shelter, ideal for keeping a pony or two. From the top of the field, there are wonderful far-reaching views to the lake. There are also two areas of copse which contribute to the supply of wood for the fires. Part of the garage block is used as a log store. The garden is a haven for wildlife and a private and safe spot for children to play.
History
Vine Farm has a fascinating history with a list of illustrious previous occupants. It was built as a farm tenement of the bishops of Wells and granted for a brief time to the Duke of Somerset until sold in 1575 to Edward Baber, becoming part of the Baber Manor. In the 17th Century the house was re-orientated to face south rather than west and the house was extended accordingly. Further changes took place through the 19th century and there have been more recent additions including the utility room and bedroom extension.
Location
The small hamlet of Top Sutton is situated on the northern slopes of the Mendip Hills, a short walk from the larger village of Bishop Sutton. This active Somerset village has facilities including shops, post office and store, community library, tennis club, a church and The Red Lion Pub. There is a choice of state schools including Bishop Sutton at primary level and the well-regarded Chew Valley and Churchill Academy Schools for secondary level are within easy distance. There are independent schools in Bath, Bristol, Wells and Sidcot. There are a wide range of outdoor pursuits available including sailing and walking at nearby Blagdon and Chew Valley Lake, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest as well as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The property is conveniently located for travel. There is easy access to M5 via Junction 21 for the motorway network and Bristol Airport is just over 8 miles away.
Oil central heating (tank replaced in 2017)
Mains drainage
Double glazed windows throughout (12 replaced 2018-2020)
Truespeed broadband
3.80 acres
Council Tax: Bath and North East Somerset, Band G
Intruder alarm
Not Listed
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Top Sutton, Bishop Sutton, Bristol, BS39
