Detached house for sale in Whitecross Road, East Harptree, North Somerset BS40

Harptree Court is thoughtfully arranged on an east-west axis, ensuring the principal rooms face north or south, maximising sunlight and the breath-taking views. The main rooms overlook the north lawn, separated from the rolling parkland by a beautifully refurbished wooden bridge and a classic ha-ha.

The wide doorway, adorned with a patterned fanlight, leads into a spacious entrance hall featuring a large, welcoming fireplace. Off the entrance hall, the dual-aspect drawing room boasts a magnificent fireplace and connects directly to the dining room, a wonderful space with tall ceilings and a bay window overlooking the grounds. The impressive, panelled reception room at the end of the ground floor is triple aspect, with glass doors opening onto a south-facing paved terrace, perfect for outdoor entertaining. The crescent-shaped morning room is ideal as a study or reading room. The staircase hall, lit by a circular ceiling light, leads to the delightful kitchen/breakfast room equipped with a four-oven aga and linked to a prep kitchen and pantry.

The staff flat, comprising a kitchen, sitting room, bedroom, and bathroom, has independent access via a side door to a courtyard with ancillary bin, log, and miscellaneous stores.

The main staircase leads to a spacious landing and a wide corridor off which all principal bedrooms lie. The principal bedroom features a lovely bay window and an en suite bathroom that connects to a dressing room with superb views. Three further bedrooms have en suite bathrooms, while another has access to a bathroom or shower room.

In the west wing, the principal guest bedroom with an attached nursery uses one of the beautifully presented new shower rooms, making it ideal for guests with children. Four additional bedrooms, a refurbished bathroom, laundry room, and drying room complete this wing. A separate staircase descends to the rear hallway.

Laundry Cottage and Victorian Stable Yard

Laundry Cottage, adjoining the stable yard, offers vehicular access from the village via the western gate. It includes a kitchen, living room, two bedrooms, and a bathroom. The Victorian stable yard features a u-shaped layout with garaging and carport on one side, a two-storey traditional stone stable block opposite, and a two-storey stone range of stores, workshop, and additional stables. Further former stables lie behind the yard.

The Treehouse

Built in 2011, the self-contained treehouse is discreetly tucked away among mature trees north of the main house. Accessible via a pathway flanked by attractive estate fencing, it includes a large verandah, a king-size bed, a glorious copper bath, a shower, WC, and a kitchen/sitting/dining area with a wood-burning stove, dishwasher, small cooker, gas hob, and fridge. Currently let out for holiday stays, the treehouse is a unique feature of Harptree Court.

To the northeast, a range of former farm buildings, set on the far side of the fields with independent road access, are suitable for residential development, subject to planning consents. Other outbuildings include a series of old greenhouses likely dating from the Victorian era, located in the walled garden.

Harptree Court is set within magnificent mature gardens and grounds. The lower drive winds through mature trees, past spring-fed lakes and an ornamental bridge, offering glimpses of the house. The upper drive, flanked by fields and lined with Lime and Sweet Chestnut trees, provides views over Chew Valley Lake. Both drives arrive at the south lawn, featuring spectacular specimen trees, a rock garden, paved gardens, and a lily pond with a pavilion. A hard tennis court lies between the stable yard and village lane, and the original walled garden extends to nearly two acres east of the house.

Harptree Court is set back in a private edge of village position behind high stone walls and surrounded by beautiful parkland. The property is accessed via two principal drives from the north and east meeting at a circular carriage drive at the front of the house, with a third entrance gate opposite the stable yard to the southwest, directly into the village.

East Harptree is a highly sought after village in the Mendip Hills 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'. The village has a Church of England primary school, a pre-school/nursery, village shop, church, village hall and cricket club. There are various local community clubs and social events.

Communications are excellent with the M5 motorway (Junction 21) about 15 miles to the west, linking to the wider national motorway network. Bristol Airport is about 9 miles to the north and East Harptree is not under any regular flight paths. Bristol Temple Meads provides regular mainline rail links to London, the Southeast and the Midlands.

The regional hubs of Bristol (13 miles) and Bath (16 miles) provide comprehensive shopping, recreational, leisure and commercial opportunities. The City of Bath is a unesco World Heritage Site, with worldfamous Roman Baths and is regarded as a cultural hub in the southwest.

Schooling in the area is excellent for both state and private education. Bristol, Bath and Wells all have a range of primary and secondary schools for boys, girls and mixed schooling. Notable private schools include Queen Elizabeth Hospital School, Bristol Grammar School, Clifton College, Millfield School, Kingswood School, Badminton School, Prior Park College, Monkton Combe, Wells Cathedral School and the Bruton Schools amongst many others. Chew Valley School is a highly regarded state school.

Sporting facilities in the area include golf at Wells, Maesbury Castle, Castle Cary and other local courses and National Hunt racing is at Wincanton, Bath and Salisbury. The Mendip Hills area is highly regarded for its walking, caving, rock climbing and bridleways, affording excellent riding out opportunities. Chew Valley Lake is 1.9 miles away and ideal for sailing enthusiasts.