Leigh Bake House - Picture-perfect Grade 2 listed cottage

Summary
Set within its own private walled garden Sleeps 4 in one double room and and a family room with a double and a single bed Lovely lounge with woodburning stove Dining table and 5 chairs Access to on site state of the art gym and sauna 10 min walk into historic Bradford on Avon 2 on site parking spaces Minimum 3 night stay during peak seasons
This Grade II listed ancient dwelling dates back to the 14th Century. The old bread oven and meat/ fish smoking oven are still evident and the old stone floor bears the marks of the axe where the wood was cut to fuel the fires. Leigh House is believed to date from 1574 and was part of a farm estate given by Elizabeth I to Robert Leigh. The property extends over 4.5 acres and includes the Tithe Barn and the Bake House. It was a wealthy estate in its day and the depth of the well in the courtyard indicates that it was a property of significant importance. In the early Eighteenth Century it was owned by Robert Taylor who lived in the main house and manufactured cheeses in the cheese loft, now a bedroom over the kitchen. It was converted in 2006 and has been completely refurbished by the current owners who have retained the original features, selected fine furnishings and original works of art.

The Bake House (sleeps 4)

The Bake House is reached through an old latchet gate beneath arched boughs and opens into a courtyard with topiary trees, lavender beds and a pretty fountain tumbling into a pond of water lilies. Beautifully furnished, this compact cottage style home has been painted throughout with Farrow and Ball paints and has a comfortable 'L' shaped sofa and armchair to seat 4 and large TV with DVD. There is a cosy wood burning stove in the old fireplace with a window seat and curtains in Ian Mankin fabrics. There is a pull out dining table with 5 chairs The downstairs double bedroom has beamed ceilings and its own original fireplace (no longer in use). One window opens onto the courtyard whilst the other overlooks the potager and walled garden. There is an oak wardrobe, an oak framed bedstead and a little hand basin with fluffy white towels. The room upstairs has a spacious king sized bed under oak beamed ceilings, two oak bedside tables, chest of drawers and hanging space. A hand basin under the window looks down across the Victorian green house to the vegetable garden..
The little kitchen overlooks the central courtyard and has a gas hob, with electric oven and grill, a microwave and small fridge. The newly renovated bathroom has a large walk in shower, a hand basin and WC.

The Old Dairy

The former dairy has been renovated to encompass a state of the art gym including resistance machines, free weights, treadmill and rowing machine. There is a large sauna and shower for your use. We have a resident Personal Trainer who trains private clients during the week and is available to guests by prior arrangement. The facilities are available every evening and weekend when the PT is not on site and are shared with the owners and other resident guests.

The Grounds

In this rural setting, The Barn, The Bake House and Leigh House, (the owner's residence) are clustered in a 'u' shape around an idyllic planted courtyard with the original well that supplied the farm. These wonderful old buildings are surrounded by cobbled paths, gardens, orchard, paddocks and fields with southerly views towards Salisbury Plains and The Whitehorse at Westbury . Behind the Bake house is a large secure walled garden with a lavender walkway leading to a rose arbour and plans for a pottager with flowers, fruit, veg and herbs. There are outdoor tables and benches dotted all around the grounds so as to relax and take in the country air. Pick your own apples, pears and plums from the Orchard or head towards a large south facing paddock with lovely views, seating and BBQ area. Bring wellies for lovely local walks into Bradford-on- Avon (just 10 mins. away)or longer walks to South Wraxhall.

Helpful Information

Local Babysitters are available and come with the recommendation of the owners who use them for their own family.