The Causeway, TA9

Besides the beauty and impressive size of the house itself, one of the highlights of this property, especially for anyone who loves walking or who has a pony, is the direct access from the rear of the paddock out onto the bridleway. The paddock occupies approximately 1.6 acres with the remainder of the level plot comprising residential gardens, the house and its outbuildings.

The current owners have refurbished and redesigned much of Old Auster and have extended the ground floor at the rear to create a stunning, contemporary space for modern living. Three original, well-proportioned, reception rooms at the front of the property retain high ceilings, tall sash windows with shutters, and two fireplaces. A lovely open-plan kitchen and breakfast room have been thoughtfully designed to blend period charm and modern functionality. An extensive range of wall and base units, and a central island, are topped with contrasting granite work surfaces, and are complemented by an electric Aga. The adjoining utility provides further storage and space for appliances. Large ‘flagstone’ style tiles run throughout these rooms and flow seamlessly into the new extension where there is underfloor heating. An impressive entrance hall with boot room and WC also provides space for comfortable seating with floor to ceiling glass panels which look out over the gardens. Double doors swing open to an extensive, vaulted, family room with log burning stove and a bank of bi-fold doors which fold back to extend the living space into the garden.

A choice of two staircases lead to the five double bedrooms on the first floor. The light and spacious principal bedroom spans over 20ft across the front of the house and benefits from a contemporary ensuite bathroom with bath and shower. The other four bedrooms each have their own unique character and charm, and share a modern family bathroom which also has a bath, shower, wash-hand basin and WC.

Outside, a driveway sweeps down from the Grade II listed entrance pillars and gates, along the east boundary, to the double garage, parking and turning areas, and to the new extension which is a delightful surprise at the rear of the property. Manicured gardens, paved terraces and pathways encompass the house on three sides and include a potting shed and greenhouse. Two further outbuildings border a paved courtyard. The larger of the two is a double garage with attached workshops whilst the smaller outbuilding, formerly a stable and store, is currently used for storage.

The paddock stretches out from the rear of the garden and can be accessed via a five-bar gate from the driveway or from the bridleway on the northern boundary. The simple, rectangular shape of this level plot makes it an attractive proposition for anyone wanting to stable their pony at home, or perhaps keep chickens, develop a kitchen garden, or just have space for outdoor family activities.

Location
Mark is a sought-after Somerset village with an active local community. There are two popular pubs in the centre of the village, The White Horse and The Pack Horse. There is a thriving village hall nearby and a post office/stores, bakery, garage and church. There are many active clubs and groups, details of which can be found at www.markvillage.co.uk. With excellent road connections in all directions, Mark is perfect for both the country lover and rural commuter alike.

Mark has an excellent first school which is part of the Wessex Learning Trust and feeds into Hugh Sexey Middle School in Blackford and Kings of Wessex Academy in Cheddar. Private schooling in the area includes Sidcot, Millfield and Wells Cathedral Schools.

The historic village of Wedmore is approx. 5 miles away, offering a wide range of shops and facilities. The coastal towns of Weston-super-Mare and Burnham-on-Sea offer more comprehensive amenities as well as access to the national motorway network via Junction 22 of the M5. Rail links at Highbridge and Weston-super-Mare run a direct service to Bristol and London Paddington. This beautiful rural area, south of the Mendips, provides ample opportunities for country pursuits, including riding, walking and cycling. There are excellent local golf courses in Wedmore and Burnham-on-Sea; tennis and bowls clubs in Wedmore; sailing on Axbridge Reservoir; and many other sporting facilities at Kings Leisure Centre in Cheddar. The cities of Bristol and Bath are approx. 27 miles and 30 miles away respectively with Bristol International Airport approximately 18 miles away.

Directions
Driving through Mark from the Wedmore direction, the property is situated on Mark Causeway. You will see Magnolia House on the right hand side of the road, and shortly after a number of semi-detached properties set back from the road on the left. Immediately after these houses, Old Auster is situated on the right hand side, through a gated entrance.