SHOWCASE A home centuries in the making

PROPERTY INTRO A new chapter for a former printworks site

PUTTING DOWN ROOTS Elm Lodge is just the place to flourish and grow By John Mather

The first thing thats strikes you about Elm Lodge in Biddestone is its sense of grandeur but also solidness. It started life as a cottage, built in the 17th century with rubble stone and had a thatched roof. Over the centuries it has developed, grown and been enhanced to become an impressive detached house totalling approximately 4,000sqft, with its own separate coach house.

From the mullion windows to the eyebrow dormers on the outside, you know this house is going to be crammed to its beautiful rafters with gorgeous period features. The current owners have thoughtfully and sympathetically improved the property over the years. The impressive hall, with original period staircase, is perfect for making a grand entrance. Either side of the main entrance hall there are two well-proportioned reception rooms, with period fireplaces, high ceilings,

attractive bay windows and views over the village green and pond. Yes, a village green with its own duck pond, how charming and otherworldly is that?

The first reception room is used as a formal drawing room complete with open fire and working shutters. The second reception room is used as a study and has been fitted by Smallbone with bespoke cabinetry in natural wood giving the study it’s sumptuous feel.

The kitchen/living area is at the heart of the house – spacious, light and airy, it naturally divides into three living spaces, the kitchen, a dining area and a formal sitting room. There’s underfloor heating and a marketleader Jutul log burner.

The kitchen, equipped with integrated Miele oven and AEG induction hob, is a luxe bespoke affair and includes hand painted grey cabinetry, a beech worktop and a handmade antique breakfast bar with zinc top, and for easy al fresco dining, the bifold doors open out directly into the garden.

This adjacent outside space has been traditionally laid with reclaimed Cotswold stone and provides a lovely south-west facing sun terrace. The paving leads around to the front gardens. The entire garden has been expertly landscaped to provide an established and

low maintenance space. There is also a comprehensive lighting scheme throughout the grounds which means you and your guests can stay out later.

Back inside the dining area has an oversized feature Bath stone fireplace with an Aga, and a table that seats 14. There is a formal sitting room off the kitchen/ dining space, that is currently used as the children’s play room, but could provide an entertainment area.

There is a lovely boot room with plenty of storage and space for all the family’s coats and shoes, which has direct access out to the service garden, with a wood store, and leads directly to the garage.

Upstairs there are five double bedrooms, a family shower room, en suite bathroom and family bathroom.

The master bedroom suite spans over 35ft with attractive wooden built in wardrobes, and overlooks the garden. The two bedrooms at the front of the house are of particular note with barrel ceilings.

Making this already special home, extra special is The Coach House. A detached one-bedroom with its own entrance, entered via the rear driveway. This could be rented out without interrupting the privacy of the main house. Alternately, could be used as a guest house or the ever-increasingly needed, home office. HOUSE NUMBERS Coach house 1 Square foot 4,000 Biddestone wins Village of the Year 2009 Bedrooms 6 Guide price £2.2m For more: Winkworth Bath, 13 Argyle St, Bathwick, Bath. tel: 01225 829000; www.winkworth.co.uk

Pets – our coronavirus lifelines

Peter Greatorex from THE APARTMENT COMPANY explains…

Over the last few days I have been having many conversations about life under the pandemic, and one thing I’ve noted is that those with pets have expressed how their pet has been a saviour. As a nation of animal lovers, it is clear we love our pets dearly – in fact, research by Opinium on behalf of Asda Pet

Insurance found that in 2017 we spent £11.6 billion on dogs and cats alone. With a feeling of being confined whilst in lockdown, it’s no surprise that our pets have been our coronavirus lifelines.

PET THERAPY If you own a pet you will understand the incredible joy they bring; they are a companion, a friend and an important member of your family. There have been many studies in recent years on the nature and benefits of a human–animal bond, and it’s clear that owning a pet is good for our wellbeing. Dogs and cats in particular have the ability to help reduce our stress and anxiety; they can also aid in overcoming the feelings of loneliness which many will be experiencing right now.

THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND It doesn’t matter if you’re self-isolating or not, the restrictions on our lives are causing many of us to experience loneliness, which in turn can lead to depression. Caring for our pets makes us feel wanted, they can distract our negative thoughts and help prevent illness. Pets make the best companions; you can tell them all your problems and secrets, and when sad thoughts take hold, their little faces can always bring a smile to yours.

THEY ARE FOR LIFE Many of our team at The Apartment Company are pet owners, and as much as we love our little ones we also understand what a huge

responsibility they are. You should never take the decision to own a pet lightly, you need to be able to look after the new member of your family in every way, including financially. But should you decide to bring an animal into your home, you too will discover what we pet owners know: they will bring you more joy than you could ever imagine. Even if you’ve put moving home on hold for the moment, we are still available to conduct virtual viewings and answer all your queries, whether you’re looking to buy, sell, rent or let in Bath. n