A charming and historic period cottage that has been extensively but tastefully renovated in recent years creating a comfortable home of great character standing in an exceptionally pretty position in one of Nailsea’s most attractive lanes.
The property is thought to date from c.1700 and has a seemingly later plaque celebrating Nelson's victory over Napoleon’s fleet at the Battle of the Nile in 1798. The cottage has a well-documented history and has been at times an ale or Cider house and even a stable while, in 1844 it was a private school possibly making it Nailsea's first Grammar School.
Today there are 2 porches which might confuse the casual viewer into thinking that there are two cottages here. Within there are 3 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a fabulous open plan reception room and a great cellar. The space offered is very good and the accommodation is enriched with many lovely period features, some of which are peculiar to this cottage such as radiused room ‘corner’s.
A very fine inglenook fireplace complete with a wood burning stove, a bread oven and dry niche above is the prime feature of the 31’ living room that was probably originally two rooms, hence the second fireplace opening at the west end of the room. A cellar affords good headroom and is approached via stone steps and sits beneath this room but is seems that the cellar was possibly larger at one time as there is evidence of a further room beyond a sill of a doorway that has been ‘walled up’.
The present owners have comprehensively updated the cottage in recent years with great care taken to ensure that all new works blend with the original. The property has been rewired, replumbed, a new kitchen and bathrooms have been installed together with a number of new windows.
The garden at the front is everything a cottage garden should be with a beautiful selection of long-established flowers, shrubs and bushes that set the scene perfectly and frame the drive area.
The rear garden is an unusual feature with mostly paved areas screened by a variety of trees and shrubs that combine to offer good privacy from the properties behind. In addition there is access to the cul de sac to the rear via a gate at the far end of the garden.
The lane is a delight and certainly one of the prettiest in Nailsea with Holy Trinity Church and the Medieval Tithe barn at its entrance and then after a meander past the former rectory, Glebe Cottage and a number of other historic properties the lane widens before turning sharp left and petering out to a wide tree lined footpath. Much of the lane is flanked by charming local ’Nailsea stone’ walls and the outlook from Nile Cottage to this, the quietest part of the lane is just right.
Despite the charm of the position it is also very convenient, there are local shops including a convenience store next to the church, a small supermarket is located about 5 minutes’ walk away. The town centre is about 15 minutes on foot.
A nursery school is located close by and good infant and junior schools are both less than 5 minutes away.
For the commuter Nailsea is well positioned with easy connections to the major centres in the area including Bristol which is only 8 miles away with road rail and national cycle routes to the City. The railway station that is within walking distance between Nailsea and Backwell offers local and intercity services with direct trains to Bristol, Bath and London - Paddington while, junctions 19 and 20 of the M5 are both within 6 miles allowing access to the motorway network.
The Enchanting Accommodation.
This a two-porch cottage, the left porch serves the kitchen and the right porch behind the modesty fence shelters the true front door with a quarry tiled floor and Georgian style windows to the front.
An outstanding principal reception room that was probably once two rooms given that there are fireplaces at either end. One fireplace is closed with a timber bressumer and hearth still in situ, while the other, a very impressive inglenook, has a massive oak bressummer, a bread oven, with dry niche above, a stone hearth and an inset wood burning stove.
There are dual aspect windows with low deep sill sash style (not sliding sash) uPVC double glazed windows to the front and a deep sill window overlooking the rear garden together with a half glazed door also to the rear garden. There are stone candle ledges, a staircase rising to the first floor and a couple of steps leading from the dining area to the kitchen.
In the sitting room there is also a trap door that lifts to reveal a staircase that descends to the excellent cellar beneath the sitting room with plenty of storage space and good headroom.
The bright airy kitchen breakfast room has been completely refurbished in a style that suits the cottage beautifully. An excellent range of wall and floor cupboards are complemented by light work surfaces with an inset induction hob having a chimney hood above. The built in eye level oven has a matching grill and there is an integrated dishwasher together with space for a washing machine with further under worktop appliance space and space for a fridge freezer. uPVC double glazed windows allow an outlook to the front and rear. A half glazed panelled door opens from the kitchen to an open porch with part glazing and a quarry tiled floor. A second staircase rises to the first floor, a further door leads out to the rear garden and a door leads to a new cloakroom with WC and basin.
Climbing the main staircase, you arrive at a landing that opens to two of the bedrooms and the bathroom, the second staircase serves the remaining bedroom.
The spacious bathroom has in keeping with the rest of the cottage been completely updated with a classic white suite including a shower bath and a bidet.
The bedrooms are well proportioned with one having an unusual original fireplace with a heavy tooled stone lintel and exposed stonework on the chimney breast.
The second bedroom also enjoys a double aspect and opens to both the landing and interconnects with the principal bedroom with a plank door.
The principal bedroom is illuminated by two deep sill uPVC double glazed windows allowing an outlook to the front, there is a built-in wardrobe, exposed ceiling beams and door to a new ensuite shower room with another contemporary white suite.
Outside:
To the front there is space to park and together with an enclosed area of private garden to one side that is screened by timber panel fencing. The rear garden is mostly hard landscaped for ease of maintenance with timber fenced boundaries and a series of mature trees. The garden extends for a considerable length, over 130’ (39m). At the far end of the garden a gate opens to Trinity Road, the quiet residential cul de sac and the previous owner parked a car in this area of the garden.
Services:
Mains water, gas, electricity and drainage are connected. Telephone at present connected. Gas fired central heating through radiators with a new Vaillant combi boiler. uPVC double glazing where described. Hi speed broadband services are available and Cable broadband TV. Etc. is available in Church Lane.
Energy Performance:
The cottage was assessed for Energy efficiency in 2020 at Band F. That certificate is still valid however since then the property has been comprehensively modernised, all windows have been double glazed and a new gas fired central heating system with a new high efficiency Vaillant combi boiler has replaced the former antiquated oil fired boiler. Consequently, the current EPC is unlikely to reflect the actual improved efficiency of the cottage.
Viewing:
By appointment with HENSONS Telephone: 01275 810030