House, folly & garden in Somerset river village

Set on the edge of this famously beautiful Somerset Cotswold’s village, with a train link straight into Bath (4 miles), this is an historic house with folly, grotto, writer’s retreat, studio, large gardens & expansive views. Water meadows and river walks are straight out of the door, with many nearby gastro pubs a walk, cycle or short drive away (including our very own riverside village inn, which is just below the house). Perfect for family summer holidays, but no 'party' groups please. HOUSE: The house and Folly are 17th century in origin. There are many small doors, low ceilings and uneven surfaces worn by the passage of centuries, so please take great care. The entrance hallway is painted with murals and leads past the piano, through a very low doorway, to a large country kitchen. The table seats 10-12, with original Bathstone stone range, beams, dresser and window seat (plus gas range cooker with double ovens, fridge and dishwasher). This leads onto a utility room (washing machine and additional fridge / freezer) and pantry. Opposite the kitchen is a cosy and quirky sitting room with open fire and two sofas seating 6 comfortably – this used to be the old Doctors Surgery and served the village for 250 years. Upstairs is a large master bedroom, super king bed, exposed floorboards, fireplace, bay windows and wonderful views. There’s a small double room (also lovely views and a big window) and a family bathroom with marble, wood and mirrors. Climb the narrow stairs to the second floor which has wide elm floorboards. There’s another large double master with double aspect windows and views, and an ensuite shower room with powerful high flow shower. There is another fourth double room, also with an extra sofabed if needed as a twin. FOLLY ANNEX & STUDIO: Adjacent to the house, with its own entrance, is the converted ‘Folly’ with high vaulted ceiling, wood burner, ancient beech floorboards (careful, there are large gaps between). This self-contained studio has a large comfy double sofabed, kitchen area with polished concrete countertop and a wetroom and toilet in polished concrete and brass. Connected to the main room there is an unusual high room with tall, chapel-like windows and a ladder up to a high bunk bed and lovely views. The studio, with its large white walls, makes a cosy space for film nights and there is a projector. By rear glazed door opens out onto a flagstone patio with table / chairs, and additional garden room with another wetroom / toilet. This could be used as a yoga studio or art room. Or climb up the external stone steps to what we call the writer’s retreat. Set above the grotto, and clearly visible as you enter the village, this tall timber-floored room has a single bed, high stone windows and views over the bridge, river and meadow beyond. GARDEN & PARKING: The kitchen / hallway leads out to beautiful garden with herbaceous borders, pond (unfenced), tall grasses and hammock. Wisteria, twisted grape vines and rambling roses climb the house and outbuildings. There is a swing-set for children. The 300-year old Cotswold flagstone patio is uneven, so take care. The garden leads on past the grotto (built in 1790 and inspired by the Stourhead grottoes) to a large sunken patio and up steps to the upper garden with wildflower meadows, vegetable garden and cedar greenhouse set along an old stone garden wall. There’s plenty of seating, tables and garden chairs, plus a portable barbeque, but no noise after 9pm please, or music outside, to respect our neighbours. You may sometimes hear chatter from the Freshford Inn garden below, especially on a Friday or Saturday evening. NOTES: The house has high speed 70mb wifi throughout, and a projector, but no TV or microwave. The house is in the process of being completely redecorated, with additional photos being added. The property is entered via a narrow shared driveway with parking for 2-3 cars. It’s quite tight and the driveway is shared with neighbours. A side alley leads around to the Folly, and then under a stone arch to the garden. We are available at any time on the telephone and there is a local housekeeper / cleaner in case of emergencies. The neighbours might also be able to help. On the southern edge of the Cotswolds area of oustanding natural beauty, Freshford is an historic village with narrow steep lanes and many large and impressive Bathstone houses, cottages and manors. It sits at the confluence of the Frome and Avon rivers and is rich in open space, fields and water meadows for walking and swimming. The canal also runs thorugh the valley with two aquaducts and a bike / two path. There is an Inn and award-winning shop and cafe, run by the community. The train station takes you to Bath or Bradford-on-Avon (10 mins), Bristol, Frome, Bruton and Weymouth, with connections on to London (90 mins). There are a huge number of excellent countryside gastro pubs and eating options a short walk or cycle from the village, plus much more to explore in Bath. We have compiled a detailed map and guide of our favourite hidden places, swims, walks and best foodies options, which we can share with our guests. Low ceilings and uneven floors, due to the historic nature of the house.