Property description

Barrow Court is an impressive Grade II* Listed building, sensitively converted into some 18 homes, and once home to the Gibbs family – well known Bristol land owners who also once owned the nearby Tyntesfield Estate, now in the hands of the National Trust.Originally converted in the 1970’s, The Monastery has undergone a stunning refurbishment by the current owner – an Interior Designer by trade, to provide exquisite accommodation over three floors. From the majestic tree lined driveway, to the stunning and beautifully maintained communal gardens, The Monastery presents a unique rural retreat and lifestyle opportunity – yet one imminently accessible to Bristol (5 miles), the Airport (4.5 miles) and the national motorway network (6.5 miles).Seller Insight:Situated in a glorious countryside location, just minutes from Bristol City centre, is Barrow Court, an imposing country mansion that is enveloped by acres of magnificent grounds. The property was rebuilt in 1887 by the Gibbs family, and handed down the generations until it was sold in the 1970s, and permission was granted to split the main house into separate spacious properties. The Monastery is a beautiful home that forms a wing of Barrow Court.“I’ve lived, more or less, all of my life in Bristol, and although Barrow Court is only fifteen minutes from the city centre I never knew it was here,” says Garth, “but as soon as I saw it and the beautiful grounds I fell in love with it. The house was a little shabby when I bought it, as it hadn’t been touched since the 1970s, but being an interior designer I could immediately see its huge potential. As it’s Listed I didn’t make any structural changes, but I’ve injected a great many contemporary elements that sit beautifully with the wealth of period features; it’s a style that works extremely well. I didn’t buy the property to do up and sell, so I definitely haven’t scrimped on anything. It’s beautiful and in my mind totally unique.”“When the Gibbs family commissioned the house to be built, the grounds had to be every bit as magnificent,” says Garth, “and they remain unchanged to this day. The gardens were designed by F Inigo Thomas in the 19th Century. As residents we employ two gardeners to keep them looking absolutely immaculate, which means we have a taste for living in a country house without the astronomical costs. There are various lovely seating areas, a couple of follies and statues dotted here and there. We also have lawns, a large ornamental garden with an arboretum, and even a communal hard standing tennis court. It’s a real pleasure to be surrounded by such beauty.”Favourite room: “A member of the Gibbs family was a merchant banker and the richest non-noble in the United Kingdom,” says Garth, “and my living room was his office. It’s a stunning room with a big open fire, lots of wood panelling and huge book cases in which I display my leather-bound books. It’s a beautiful part of the house that epitomises the grandeur of Barrow Court.”Favourite aspect of the grounds: “I have really enjoyed the fact that the house is surrounded by countryside and yet I can be in the heart of Bristol in no more than 15 minutes,” says Garth. “Tonight, for instance, I’ll be dining with friends in a restaurant in the city centre, but tomorrow I can take a gentle stroll across the fields; in my mind it’s a location that offers the perfect lifestyle.”Memorable event: “The grounds are extremely beautiful, but as residents we all make good use of them,” says Garth. “We can sit out and relax, have BBQs, and there was even a wedding reception on the main lawn a few months ago, which was a really nice occasion that we were all invited to.”

Property Features :

• Stunning Grade II* Listed conversion
• Kitchen / breakfast room
• Dining room / bedroom four
• Exquisite first floor drawing room
• Master bedroom with walk-in shower
• Guest bedroom with roll top bath
• Bedroom three
• Tree-lined driveway & hard-standing tennis court