Semi-detached house for sale in Lower Godney, Wells, Somerset BA5

Sensitively renovated by its current designer owners, this stone barn, originally dating to 1830, occupies a wonderfully bucolic position near the River Sheppey in Lower Godney, Somerset. Characterised by thick Blue Lias stone walls and thick oak beams, the internal living spaces are beautifully light, pairing original features with fun and thoughtful additions for modern living. Fantastic views reach as far as Glastonbury Tor, across fields of open countryside and with no light pollution. In the richly planted cottage gardens is a timber-clad artist’s studio and workshop, looking onto the river.

The Tour

Approached via a quiet road, the house is surrounded by open countryside, creating an immediate sense of rural retreat. A sliding metal door provides a playful entrance to the front, with a car port, log store, and original stone flooring underfoot.

An inverted layout ensures that wonderful views and an excellent quality of natural light are optimised. A solid-timber curved staircase ascends to the first-floor level, opening into an open-plan living space of impressive height and volume, with pitched ceilings and a cross-hatch of characterful oak beams. Timber-framed windows run the length of one wall, capturing views of the changing seasons across the Mendip Hills to the north and Glastonbury Tor to the south.

A large, log-burning stove here forms a natural centrepiece and adds to the central heating supplied by an Air Source Heat Pump throughout. Supplemented by solar panels, the set-up makes for sustainable and low-cost running.

Solid floorboards continue through to the bespoke kitchen, defined by poured concrete worktops and stainless steel cabinetry that neatly houses appliances. To one end is a pantry, and to the other, a wonderfully bright space to work or read.

A slight step up from the living room leads to a music space or library, with a striking charcoal wall set in contrast to the pale wood of the ceiling’s pitch.

The ground level is a quiet and restful retreat, with two beautifully presented double bedrooms. Both have poured concrete flooring, warmed from beneath by underfloor heating. The main bedroom, set on the northerly side, has an en suite bathroom complete with a walk-in shower and bathtub finished with reclaimed copper and stone sanitaryware.

Sliding pocket doors neatly divide the second bedroom (which also has an en suite) from the study, a flexible space which could easily convert to a third bedroom. Timber-framed glass doors open from here directly to the terrace.

Outdoor Space

The private, south-facing gardens are a plantsman’s paradise, chock-full of flowering perennials, wavering foxgloves and deep borders of herbaceous plants and herbs, offering visual interest and colour year-round. A stone terrace is the perfect spot to sit around with a glass of wine around the firepit, and the garden shed provides plenty of outdoor storage.

An elegant, timber-clad studio at the foot of the garden is currently used as an artists' studio with an adjoining workshop.

The River Sheppey, running at the bottom of the garden, forms an integral part of the overall experience of the house. The gardens, and local area, attract a diverse array of wildlife and birdlife, including kingfishers, barn owls and otters.

The Area

The sought-after village of Lower Godney has a friendly community and creative spirit. The Sheppey Inn is a well-loved local pub a three-minute walk away, serving local beers and ales and home-cooked food. The house is brilliantly placed for walks and bikes rides through the local Somerset countryside.

Just six miles away is the city of Wells which, despite its small size, is known across the world for its impressive cathedral. It is also renowned for its schools and the beauty of the surrounding countryside (including the Somerset Levels, Quantocks and the Mendip Hills.) Wells also has a good range of shops, restaurants, cafés and other services. The city of Bath (a unesco World Heritage Site) is just 20 minutes drive by car, with Bristol 45 minutes away.

There are a selection of well-regarded schools nearby, including Wells Cathedral School and Millfield School, in addition to a range of state-run options.

North Somerset’s most popular highlights are also easily reached. The area is renowned for its cultural and culinary highlights; Bruton’s excellent food offerings – the Michelin-starred Osip, The Old Pharmacy, At the Chapel and The Newt – as well as Hauser and Wirth – are a car journey away, with Frome also close by. Frome’s lively community of independent shops, creative businesses and eateries include Rye Bakery, Projects Frome, Moo and Two, Frome Hardware, Eight Stony Street, and Frome Reclamation Yard. The Frome Independent, a monthly market showcasing local artisans and food producers, has also helped put Frome on the map, attracting over 80,000 visitors annually.

Council Tax Band: B