Banklands, North Newton

STEP INSIDE
Charming throughout, this beautiful cottage has retained its original character while being thoughtfully enhanced by a two-storey extension completed in 2010. Once a former lock keeper’s cottage, it has been transformed into a light-filled and versatile home.

At its heart is a lovely open-plan kitchen/dining room, bathed in natural light from multiple windows and French doors that open onto the
gardens. The kitchen features a superb range of units, integrated appliances, and granite worktops, with a utility room and cloakroom conveniently leading off and providing garden access.

The original sitting room enjoys views over the canal, with a wood burner adding warmth and comfort on cooler days. An inner hall offers direct
access to the front and leads to an additional reception room, perfect as a family room, study, or ground floor bedroom. Upstairs, the landing
provides generous storage and a picture window framing the canal.

The principal bedroom overlooks the gardens and adjoining countryside, complete with an en-suite shower room, while two further double
bedrooms enjoy canal and countryside views. A well-appointed family bathroom completes the accommodation, with views across open fields

STEP OUTSIDE

Approached directly from the towpath, a five-bar gate opens into gardens extending to approximately 0.28 acres. A driveway leads to a parking area with a single garage plus a large garage/workshop, with power and
lighting.

The gardens enjoy sunshine throughout the day, with a variety of patios, lawns, and seating areas designed to make the most of the idyllic canal-side setting. This tranquil location is alive with wildlife, including kingfishers, swans, and herons, offering a wonderful connection to nature right on your doorstep. In addition to the gardens, you can enjoy all the freedom and benefits that canal living brings, whether that’s a leisurely walk, a bike ride along the towpath, or a paddleboard adventure down the waterway.

Utilities and Services:
Mains electricity and water. Private treatment plant and LPG central heating.

SELLERS INSIGHT
Through our volunteering and interest in canals, we heard that Maunsel Lock Tearooms on the
Bridgwater and Taunton Canal was coming available, and wanting to make changes in our lives, in 2003, we sold our home and took on the British Waterways (now Canal and River Trust), lease of the business which, at that time, was in with the cottage, but had been closed for some 18 months. BW then suggested that the tearooms moved to their empty building on the opposite side of the canal, which could be much better equipped. We naturally jumped at the opportunity.

As tenants, this then enabled us to purchase the
cottage from BW in 2006, and then be able to make plans to turn a once cold and dated cottage in to a more usable and a comfortable family home. The whole house, insulation and services needed attention, but it was the extension that was the biggest improvement giving us a kitchen and dining area and a third bedroom. The large garden also needed attention as it was overgrown with bramble and ivy, but with us still running the teashop and a trip boat, we could only do so much.

In 2019 we retired and sold the lease of the Teashop, and have enjoyed living in our cottage, enjoying the peace and the wildlife, but we now need to downsize.

We see kingfishers, herons, as well as many wild birds we feed and watch, including, woodpeckers, robins and blackbirds, along with Barn Owl and Little Owl frequently being seen. Its like a bird hide. We will be sad to leave, but time for someone else to enjoy this lovely spot and call it their home.

Key facts

• Council tax band: C.
• EPC rating: D (score 58; potential rating C).
• Parking: double garage.
• Outside: garden.