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A specially curated guide to help you enjoy the next 48 hours (or more) in Bristol
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Bristol Folk Festival, Friday 29 April – Sunday 1 May, venues across Bristol
Bristol Folk Festival returns with a stellar line-up of UK and world artists taking to stages across the city for the May Day weekend. ‘First lady of Folk’ Kate Rusby headlines the festival's opening night, with a special concert at Clifton Cathedral featuring O’Hooley & Tidow .
Characterised by strong harmonies and humorous, heart-touching tales of the exceptional and everyday, O’Hooley & Tidow are often cited as "England’s answer to the McGarrigles" (Guardian) and are widely recognised as "one of British folk music’s mightiest combinations" (Mojo).
Jon Boden, the first knight to Rusby’s first lady, headlines the festival on 30 April at St George’s Bristol. More widely recognised as the frontman of Bellowhead, a game-changing eleven-piece, and winners of eight BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Jon Boden performs with his new group The Remnant Strings, with support from Senegalese artist Amadou Diagne. Medicine Creek featuring Nuala Honan, and Granny’s Attic also join the Saturday line-up.
Kitty Macfarlane
closes the festival on Sunday 1 May. Recognised as a tonic for the times we’re in, Kitty has been described as "remarkably accomplished" by the Guardian, "startlingly poetic" by the Observer and counts Iggy Pop among her fans.
Day + Night passes (£35) are available for each day of the festival. Weekend Passes (£90) allow audiences full access to three days of music, and are now the only tickets left for the opening night concert. Original tickets stand. Individual tickets start at £15. Visit the Bristol Folk Festival website for further information and to buy tickets: bristolfolkfestival.org
Image: Kitty Macfarlane | Credit: Ania Shrimpton
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OUR APRIL ISSUE: OUT NOW
Our April magazine features a collection of great reading by our team of wonderful writers as well as beautifully presented advertising by Bristol's best businesses. We hope you'll enjoy the read!
15,000 copies are delivered door to door, and you can pick up a copy at many places around town – including our stands at Waitrose, John Lewis, House of Fraser and Harvey Nichols.
You can read the digital version of our current issue by clicking here!
And if you would like to have a copy sent in the post every month, then we offer a postal subscription for just £30 for 12 issues, £15 for six issues or buy a copy for just £3.95. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – see our website.
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| Follow us on Twitter or Instagram |
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COMPETITION | WINNING WORDS
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Win a £25 John Lewis voucher
This week's 12 letter word is made up including the above letters in green. We’ve placed 2 letters to give you a start. The blue letters are used more than once.
Clue: often seen on BBC One around 10pm...
Make sure to follow us on twitter ( @thebristolmag ) to see the answer: posted on a Wednesday afternoon. Winners picked at random.
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FOOD | WASTE NOT, WANT NOT
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| An Ancient Art: Avon Gleaning Network |
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The 21st century has seen the resurrection of gleaning – the age-old practice of harvesting unwanted crops to help those most in need. In our April issue, we spoke to the founder of the Avon Gleaning Network, Nick Haigh, who, along with hundreds of local volunteers, has collected almost 12 tonnes of surplus fruit and vegetables that would otherwise have gone to waste…
Read the full article on The Bristol Magazine website: thebristolmag.co.uk
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WEEKEND RECIPE | SUGAR, SPICE AND ALL THINGS NICE
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| Recipe by Melissa Blease |
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| Easter Biscuits |
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The exact origins of these cute little cookies are unclear; some food historians claim the recipe dates back to the Elizabethan Era, while others cite them a Jacobean treat. It's universally agreed, however, that this is an intrinsic West Country recipe through and through, as Bristol was the main import hub for Cassia Oil, derived from the bark of the East Asian Cassia tree.
As it happens, you don't actually need to use Cassia Oil in this recipe; mixed spice, nutmeg or cinnamon adds a lovely warming backdrop to what are essentially the shortest, butteriest, currant-speckled biscuits you've ever tasted, offering a lighthearted break to Easter's traditional chocolate-based bounty. Having said that, they're also perfect served as a side order to any of the Easter Chocolate Mousse recipes (below) that we've also over-indulged you with this weekend...
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| Ingredients |
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100g golden caster sugar
1 large egg
½ tsp baking powder
80g currants
100g slightly soft, room temperature butter
250g plain flour
2 tbsp milk
Tiny drop of oil of cassia or 1 tsp mixed spice
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| Method |
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1. Preheat the oven to 190°Cc/gas mark 5 and line a large baking tray with greaseproof paper.
2. Using an electric whisk, beat the sugar and butter together until soft and fluffy before adding the egg and continuing to whisk until fully incorporated.
3. Fold the flour, baking powder and cassia oil or mixed spice into the mixture, then add the milk a little at a time followed by the currants, and gently mixing until you have a smooth dough.
4. Plop the dough onto a lightly-floured surface and roll out to around 5mm thick.
5. Use a biscuit cutter or the lightly-floured rim of a suitably-sized glass to create 12 biscuits (re-rolling and using the dough trimmings) and lay them onto the baking tray.
6. Bake the biscuits for around 12 minutes until the edges just start to turn golden. Sprinkle the biscuits with caster sugar while still hot, and allow to cool before tucking in.
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FOUR OF A KIND | A CHOCOLATE QUARTET
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| Words by Melissa Blease |
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| 4 Easter Chocolate Mousses |
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It's Easter – so you can't get enough chocolate, right? It's time to set the easiest-ever chocolate mousses loose!
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| Classic Chocolate Mousse |
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Break 200g high-quality dark chocolate into chunks in a large, heatproof bowl and add 120ml cold water. Set the bowl over a pan of just simmering water (but do NOT let the bowl touch the water) and heat gently, stirring occasionally with a metal spoon, until the chocolate has melted. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Whisk the whites of 3 eggs with 50g caster sugar until stiff peaks are formed. Beat the remaining 3 egg yolks into the melted chocolate before gently folding the egg whites into the mixture until fully combined. Spoon the mousse into 4-6 individual bowls or glasses and chill for at least two hours (or overnight.) Serve topped with a swirl of whipped cream and a dusting of grated chocolate.
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| Minty White Chocolate Mousse |
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Break 250g high-quality white chocolate into chunks in a large, heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over a pan of just simmering water (but do NOT let the bowl touch the water) and heat gently, stirring occasionally with a metal spoon, until the chocolate has melted. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Meanwhile, whisk 250ml double cream with 1 egg white and ½ tsp peppermint extract until soft peaks have formed. Add a big dollop of cream onto the slightly cooled chocolate mixture and mix thoroughly before gently folding the remaining chocolate mixture into the cream. Divide the mixture between 6 small glasses and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving topped with sprigs of fresh mint.
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| Chocolate and Avocado Mousse (vegan) |
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Break 150g vegan dark chocolate into chunks in a large, heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over a pan of just simmering water (but do NOT let the bowl touch the water) and heat gently, stirring occasionally with a metal spoon, until the chocolate has melted. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Meanwhile, halve and destone 2 large, ripe avocados (yes, really!) and scoop the flesh into a food processor along with 2 tbsp cocoa powder, 3 tbsp maple syrup and 160g coconut cream. Pulse for a few seconds, scrape down the sides of the food processor with a spatula, then pulse again to combine. Add the cooled, melted chocolate, then pulse again until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Divide the mousse between six small bowls and allow to chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.
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| Chocolate and Coffee Mousse |
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Dissolve 1 heaped tsp instant espresso coffee in 1 tbsp boiling water. Break 100g 72% dark chocolate and 50g milk chocolate into chunks in a large, heatproof bowl. Add the coffee, set the bowl over a pan of just simmering water (but do NOT let the bowl touch the water) and heat gently, stirring occasionally with a metal spoon, until the chocolate has melted. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Using an electric whisk, gradually beat 150ml double cream into the chocolate mixture until combined. Divide the mixture between 6 espresso cups and allow to chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving topped with dollops of whipped cream, a sprinkle of dark chocolate shavings and 2-3 coffee beans (if you happen to have any to hand.)
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| A taste of Portugal |
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Perfect for warmer days and lazy lunchtime drinking, a lip-smacking, pétillant Vinho Verde ticks all the boxes. With delicious, fruity aromas of light apple, peach, lemon and grapefruit alongside herbal notes, a good Vinho Verde is medium-bodied and has a joyfully refreshing texture on the palate. It also has a lovely, generous finish – plus, there’s that added touch of pet nat spritz.
Portuguese Vinho Branco’s will also transport you to a Portuguese beachside chiringuito... where you’ll be wanting grilled sea bass, a simple sunny salad and a few french fries to accompany the crisp, fresh taste. Some good sun here is very welcome too.
Here are six greats that will go down nicely:
- Vinho Verde Signus – Quinta da Lixa £9.50
- Flowers Vinho Verde – The Quinta da Lixa £9.85
- Alvarinho Pouco Comum – Quinta da Lixa £13.30
- Vinho Branco – Artolas £9.50
- Douro White – Quinta Do Crasto £14.95
- O Oenólogo Encruzado – Casa da Passarella £23.50
Click here to browse The Great Wine Company's Vinhos.
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OBJECT OF INTEREST | MANUAL OVERRIDE
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| Omega Specialities CK 859 |
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This vintage style timepiece is inspired by the iconic 1939 Omega wristwatch that housed the famous 30-T2, 15 jewel, manual-winding small seconds calibre.
The 39mm case is crafted in stainless steel and features a vintage Omega logo embossed on the crown. Behind the domed sapphire crystal, the dial is made from Ag 925 silver, with blued hands, batons and all markings transferred in dark blue. To cap the classic look there’s also a small-seconds subdial display at 6 O’clock.
Presented on a brown leather strap with a vintage Omega logo on the buckle, the timepiece is driven by Omega’s manual winding, anti‑magnetic, Co-Axial Master Chronometer - Calibre 8926 movement.
This lovely precision movement can be fully appreciated through the crystal glass on the polished caseback, which also has several engravings including, “numbered edition” and “CK 859” – a historic reference to stainless steel and the shape of the case. Water resistant to 3 bar (30 metres/100 feet). A beautiful watch. £5,810
See this limited edition timepiece and many more from Omega by visiting Mallory.
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BEAUTY | LAUNCHING TOMORROW
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Chanel: N°5 The Soaps
Inspired by the smooth harmony of rose and jasmine that composes N°5, the soaps were formulated as a sensual continuation of the N°5 floral bouquet. Infused with the House's iconic fragrance, five bar soaps are presented in a black and white gift set, a nod to the minimalist design of the N°5 packaging. £89
Available from tomorrow (15 April) on the Chanel website: chanel.com
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BEAUTY | WORLD BATH BOMB DAY
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Lush celebrate World Bath Bomb Day with 'Makers on Tour' event
To celebrate World Bath Bomb Day (Wednesday 27 April) Lush will be hosting a Makers on Tour throughout April.
Over three weeks, Lush’s bath bomb makers from the Lush factory in Dorset will be visiting over 60 Lush shop locations to offer customers the opportunity to press some of Lush’s best selling bath bombs to take home with them (prices from £4).
The event will take place in Bristol at Lush Bristol, 36a Lower Ground Floor, The Mall-Cribbs Causeway, Bristol BS34 5DG on 16 April, 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm. lush.com
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FASHION | SMALL BUT STYLISH
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Whistles unveils debut kids collection for Spring Summer 2022
Playful yet practical, Whistles has released its debut kids collection for Spring Summer 2022, bringing its signature sense of spirit and style to little ones' wardrobes.
Inspired by on-rotation staples from the the Whistles womenswear collection, this 44-piece unisex collection has been mindfully created to ensure kids feel comfortable and cool during everyday adventures. Designed for ages 3-9 with the aim of enhancing play, Whistles' modern kidswear is imbued with the same utilitarian and easy-wearing ethos it has become renowned for. Think button-up workers' jackets, cozy jersey sweatshirts, joggers and T-shirts and relaxed-cut trousers – a capsule closet for the contemporary kid.
From today, the Whistles kids collection is available to shop exclusively online at whistles.com.
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ON THE BOX | PLANET EARTH
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Netflix: Our Great National Parks
Narrated by former President Barack Obama, this stunning docuseries shines the spotlight on some of the planet's most spectacular national parks.
Available to watch on Netflix now: netflix.com
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THE MAGAZINE KIOSK | WHY WE LOVE PRINT
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Curated by Daniel McCabe
Maggot Brain is a music quarterly published by Third Man Records, the Detroit-based independent record label founded by Jack White in 2001. We’ve only seen eight issues so far, all in a fairly straightforward old school rock music magazine vein which means it’s almost fresh now. You get an A-list cast of writers contributing content that is both contemporary and archival centred around rock, punk, jazz and roots sounds, rounded out with artistic, literary and cultural musings. This issue is centred on a timeline of images from, and an interview with, "the modern king of arts portrait photography", Michael Lavine.
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Magalleria is a Bath-based shop and online retailer, selling fine and interesting magazines from independent and selected publishers from all over the globe. Visit the website to find out more: magalleria.co.uk
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Foodies Festival returns to Bristol with a star-studded line up
Foodies Festival (dubbed “Gastro-Glasto”) is the biggest touring gourmet food festival in the UK, featuring MasterChef champions, Bake Off favourites and Great British Menu stars.
Award-winning chefs and celebrities taking part include BBC presenter and author, Kate Humble, Great British Menu 2021 finalist, Hywel Griffith and MasterChef 2020 champion, Thomas Frake.
The music line-up includes chart-topping disco diva, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Lee Ryan & Simon Webbe from legendary boy band Blue. And new for Fridays, Foodies launch ‘Big Party Nights’ – taking a nostalgia-filled trip back to the 90s, featuring some of the biggest music acts of the era, including Five, Liberty X and Rozalla.
The high-profile festival has announced thrilling new features and a busy programme of events in the quest to deliver an unforgettable weekend of fine food and new experiences, promising a great family day out.
Foodies Festival will take place at The Downs, Bristol from 20 to 22 May. Early Bird Adult Day ticket £19 (on the door £25); weekend ticket £38 (on the door £47); children aged 12 and under £3. Entry to all theatres is included in the ticket price. Tickets are on sale now at foodiesfestival.com and 0844 9951111.
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HEALTH | HEALTHY PLANET, HEALTHY YOU
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NCIM: Forum on Human and Planetary Health, 6 May, Belmont Estate
The National Centre for Integrative Medicine (NCIM) is hosting a one-day Forum on the vital issue of how human health depends on our environment and the interdependence between the two.
During the day speakers and participants will be considering how we connect to ourselves, to our communities and to our planet. The programme includes an immersive woodland experience as well as talks from thought leaders who have made human, planetary and sustainable health a priority, including: Dr. Robert Verkerk – Founder, Executive & Scientific Director, Alliance of Natural Health; Miriam Turner – CEO, Friends of the Earth; Jayn Sterland – MD, Weleda; Dr. Iva Fattorini – Founder of Artocene; and Gil Martin – Estate Manager, Belmont Estate.
This event is for a growing Integrative Healthcare Community including healthcare professionals, researchers, students as well as members of the public. It’s a timely and exciting event, and NCIM’s first face to face gathering since the start of the pandemic.
To buy your ticket to the event (£120 Early Bird Offer) and to learn more about NCIM, Integrative Medicine and the opportunities for both patient services and professional training, visit the NCIM website: ncim.org.uk. You can also find NCIM on social media, using the handle @ncimhealthcare.
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CrimeFest donates books to libraries across Bristol
The Big Library Crime Book Giveaway, organised by the UK's biggest crime fiction convention CrimeFest, takes place at the end of April.
Roughly 650 crime books will be given to all 27 libraries across the city from 29 April–1 May. The initiative is being supported by bestselling author, Ann Cleeves, who is a vocal advocate of reading and libraries as a 'lifeline'.
Ann, who is behind the phenomenal Vera and Shetland series, both adapted to prime-time TV, is a featured guest at the 2022 CrimeFest convention, which is hosted at the Mercure Bristol Grande Hotel from 12 to 15 May.
Ann Cleeves said: "It's fantastic that CrimeFest is giving away hundreds of books to libraries in Bristol. All genres owe a lot to the work of libraries, but crime fiction is the most borrowed genre. Accessible and popular, crime fiction offers a gateway into reading, and the many benefits that brings. I've long been a vocal champion of libraries and their importance for our communities, so I'm delighted to throw my support behind this initiative."
Hosted in Bristol, CrimeFest is one of the biggest crime fiction events in Europe, and one of the most popular dates in the international crime fiction calendar, with circa 60 panel events and 150 authors over four days.
crimefest.com
Featured image: Ann Cleeves
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Bristol Bears say thank you to our NHS
Bristol Bears are building for the biggest game of the season when Sale Sharks visit Ashton Gate Stadium in the second leg of the Heineken Champions Cup on Good Friday (8pm KO).
To celebrate this massive occasion, the Bears are offering all NHS staff two FREE tickets for the fixture at Ashton Gate Stadium. The team are grateful for what the NHS have given back to the community over the past two years – so invite you to go and enjoy a game on them on Good Friday. Alapati Leiua will make his 100th competitive appearance for the Bears in Friday night’s clash with Sale Sharks.
To claim your tickets online only, click here and use the code shared to our local NHS trusts in the region.
Follow the Bristol Bears on Twitter: twitter.com
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KITCHEN | BANK HOLIDAY BREAKFAST
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Bristol Egg Cup from Emmeline Simpson
This fine bone Egg Cup is the perfect gift for Bristol lovers everywhere. £4.99 (reduced from £7.25)
Available from the Emmeline Simpson website: emmelinesimpson.co.uk.
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Knightcott Road, Abbots Leigh, Bristol, Somerset BS8
Offered for sale by Bristol estate agent Rupert Oliver
A truly stunning detached modern home, built to an exacting standard with strong eco-credentials, offering flexible family accommodation and a love of indoor/outdoor living.
The house is approached along a quiet no-through road. The entrance hall is flooded with natural light, with a double height pitched ceiling with three Velux windows. Through to the west side of the house, however, is the stunning triple-aspect open plan kitchen, sitting room and dining room, with a contemporary wood-burning stove and a double height gable-end glazed elevation overlooking the garden. It is truly exquisite.
The room is comfortably divided between kitchen, dining and sitting with a superb family kitchen and oversize central island and breakfast bar breaking up the space. The kitchen itself is beautifully made, with a state-of-the-art Mercury range cooker flanked by an expanse of granite worktops and generous amount of storage. Like the rest of the house, this room benefits from underfloor heating (zoned throughout) and an intelligent lighting system. Sliding doors opening up to the paved terrace and garden beyond.
To the front of the house is a useful family room/snug, this is a perfect space to retreat into at any time of day. To the side of the house is a large utility room with space and plumbing for a washing machine and dryer, as well as further storage and a sink. This room also houses the “comms” cupboard (user boards for the intelligent lighting system/mechanical heat ventilation system and Wi-Fi/internet systems etc) as well as giving access to the double garage and a separate cloakroom.
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To the east side of the house are three double bedrooms – with one currently furnished as a work from home study/studio. This and the second rear bedroom have sliding glazed doors opening out onto a balcony, and then onto the garden itself. These three bedrooms share a well-appointed family bathroom. On the first floor, the master bedroom is situated to the rear, with plenty of fitted wardrobes and sliding glazed doors opening onto a balconette overlooking the garden with valley views beyond. This room is served by a stylish en-suite shower room, complete with an oversize walk-in shower. Along the hallway and galleried landing is the second bedroom suite; again enjoying excellent built-in storage and a private en-suite shower room.
Outside: The gardens are a true delight; south-west facing with lovely views along the valley beyond. To the rear of the house is an expanse of paved terrace, next to this is a smaller, more intimate decked terrace with a glazed balustrade with an electrically operated sun blind. Perfect for long summer lunches in the sun or shade. A long lawn drops down towards a wild-garden with mature fruit trees and two useable wooden storage sheds attractive rockery.
As well as an expanse of off-street parking, the integrated double garage itself is an incredibly useable space (the current owners use it is a further studio & workshop) and it has a highly insulated and secure roller-door, concrete screed floor, power and light. It also houses the hot water tank and air-source heat pump controls. Guide Price £1,500,000.
For further images and information click here to see the property on the Rupert Oliver website.
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