Detached house for sale in Crewkerne TA18, 5 Bedroom

An Arts and Crafts gem, offering privacy and seclusion yet within each reach of facilities. Magnificent period accommodation set in grounds of an acre.

The Property
Dating from 1905, Oakhayes is very much a hidden gem that has managed to remain unspoilt despite sympathetic modernisation over the years. With a plethora of original features internally and some lovely architectural detail, it's a wonderful home with great personality that suits modern family living.

The attention to detail is evident from the moment you enter. Whilst the front of the house faces south over the grounds, you enter through an attractive storm porch into a typically grand reception hall. The original front door and stained-glass windows are still proudly in situ. This is so much more than a hall – it is the sort of room where the period fireplace is always lit at Christmas, and one can imagine guests spilling down the grand turning staircase onto the polished wooden floor, whilst above their heads is a gracious fretwork arch of the period. Off the hall is a small cloakroom. There are several fine reception rooms. The drawing room has fine period details including the continuation of the parquet flooring, a stunning bay window with curved seating of the period makes the most of the south westerly aspect which French doors open onto the south facing verandah. The adjacent sitting room boasts a similar sunny bay window, again with original seating and a superb oak fireplace with original hearth seating to each side. Built-in cupboards to the decorative niches provide storage and shelving for your prettiest items. Arched glass double doors allow the sitting room to be opened up to the dining room, and likewise the dining room to the adjacent breakfast room creating a superb flow if you like to entertain. Once again the dining room has a ornate fireplace with pretty sunflower tiled inset. The breakfast room has a lovely outlook over the side and rear with glimpses of the Wisteria through the French doors beyond the quarry tiled porch. Whilst it is very much a good size dining space in its own right the breakfast room flows through into the kitchen to create a more sociable open-plan living space to suit modern living. Attractive Amtico flooring unites the two spaces. The kitchen is well fitted in a country style and includes solid cream units with granite worksurfaces and butler sink. A dark blue aga gives that "heart of the home" feeling. The central island unit incorporates an additional electric oven and Neff hob, whilst there is also an integrated fridge / freezer and dishwasher. Having originally been part of the domestic wing of the property, the kitchen opens into the more utilitarian side of the home, no less important of course for day-to-day living. The kitchen opens back into a rear hall with quarry tiled floor where the second staircase leads up to the first floor and a door leads out to the rear courtyard. A useful Butler's Pantry makes an ideal boot room with plenty of hanging space and original dresser style storage. Beyond the kitchen is a further Utility room with additional butler sink, wall mounted gas boilers and hot water system, as well as plumbing and drainage. An original pine plate rack still remains, whilst beyond is a traditional walk-in larder with shelving.

Rising to the first floor from the reception hall, the landing overlooks the stunning stained glass picture window letting in the gentle north light. The master bedroom is an exceptional size, filled with light from dual aspect windows and overlooking the grounds. Three further generous double rooms overlook the south side of the property. The second bedroom has an interconnecting door to bedroom three, originally a dressing room. Bedroom four has an unusual arts & crafts style window overlooking the south side and they all benefit from unique period fireplaces, little reminders of the building's original prestige. As well as many of the rooms having their own period wash hand basins, three well fitted bathrooms serve the first floor bedrooms alongside two separate wc's. One of these is adjacent to bedroom five, a cosier double room at the rear of the house off its own private landing area.
The second-floor accommodation gives this property extra versatility. The original staircase leads up from the east end of the main landing. As well as copious under eaves access and storage throughout, it is subdivided into several more adaptable rooms. To one end is a TV / Play Room with conservation area Velux. A substantial office enjoys stunning views across town to the countryside, a period fireplace with unusual YinYang motif and green tiled hearth sits to one corner. Beyond this is an exceptionally spacious Family Room / Studio space, again with cast-iron period fireplace and superb south facing outlook whilst to two sides are adjacent store rooms with natural light.

Great care has been taken to retain as much of the original period detail throughout the house, with modernisation of things like windows where strictly necessary for ongoing maintenance.

Outside
Many of the specimen trees from the original planting remain at Oakhayes and add not only to the feeling of seclusion and privacy but also to the general leafy outlook across the grounds. The mature gardens extend to about an acre, with lovely views across town towards the Dorset and Somerset countryside beyond. The majority of the gardens lie to the south and east side of the house, the layout sensibly thought-out by the original architect with the large sweeping drive and double garage to the north side. The main parking area to the west of the house is flanked by a curved stone wall edged with well-stocked borders including Magnolia, Rhododendron and birch. This is accessed via the tarmac driveway, through double gates on the gravelled entrance area which leads to the double garage and main entrance to the house.
Along the south side of the house is a substantial gravelled sun terrace on which to spill-out from the reception rooms. Flanked by box-edged rose borders and a mature Wisteria, enticing symmetrical stone steps lead you down to a lawned garden with conifer and fern borders, dotted with irises and self-seeded primroses. Sleeper steps lead up to a large level lawn, formerly a tennis court edged with laurel hedging. An original Summerhouse built in a complimentary style to the main house has double doors and overlooks the lawn. It has power and light connected. Gates leads up to the heated outdoor swimming pool enjoying a sheltered position, with paved surround bordered by stone walls. An outdoor boiler house contains the necessary equipment for the pool. Beyond this, sheltered by the pine trees is a gravelled terrace with raised beds for growing fruit and vegetables. To one side is a designated composting area.

To the east of the house, a further landscaped terrace can be seen from the kitchen / breakfast room and includes a raised ornamental pond with fountain. Dotted with self-seeded plants and topiary Lonicera. There is an outside tap and outside power points as well as rain-water harvesting system for garden watering with integral pump. A gate to the north side provides easy access via the rear courtyard to the back door and double garage. There's a log store here and external WC.

Oakhayes is the sort of property you could pass a thousand times but never know it is there. Tucked away in a secluded location and yet within walking distance of the pretty market town centre, it's perfect if you want convenience on your doorstep but with a "green and pleasant" outlook. Excellent road links are within easy reach and with far reaching views to the south towards the rolling Dorset hills, its hard to imagine a location that could better be described as "the best of both worlds".

Crewkerne itself is a pretty and friendly market town with a beautiful 15th century church right at its heart. Its predominantly neo-Georgian and Victorian town centre streets offer a range of high street stores including a Waitrose supermarket and many independent retailers. Of late it is becoming very popular with those looking for antiques and curios. There is a visiting farmers' market and a range of local pubs, café's and takeaways. Beyond the Waitrose store is a large indoor swimming pool and gym complex known as the Aquacentre. The town has several schools covering all age groups. Whilst renowned independent schools such as Perrott Hill and Chard Independent are within 15 minutes' drive, within 45 minutes is an even greater choice including those at Chilton Cantelo (Park School), Sherborne, Bruton and Taunton.
Crewkerne is well served in terms of public services with its own small hospital, gp surgeries and dentists. It has its own mainline railway station (London Waterloo – Exeter) whose nearest stops include the larger town of Yeovil, and historic Abbey town of Sherborne to the east. To the west the line heads down towards the Dorset coast. The Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site including the famous sea-side town of Lyme Regis, lies within c.30 minutes' drive.