House For Sale £975,000
Keyford, Frome, BA11

Nestled in Frome's historic Keyford quarter, Crown Yard offers modern, eco-home living whilst its traditional façade blends seamlessly with the surrounding listed buildings of the Conservation Area. Designed by architect Abi McGillivray and completed in 2019, Crown Yard was created to make the most of an exceptional site with a sunny, south-facing, walled garden in this prime location.

The double, glass, front door leads through the house, past a feature wall of reclaimed brick and handmade metal and wood stairs, to the terrace in the walled garden. The flagstone floored hall echoes the original 'coach house' design of the barn. The rear of the building is a celebration of light with large glass bi-fold doors enabling the entire ground floor to be opened southwards into the garden. Solid, reclaimed pine doors throughout add to the feel of a period conversion rather than a new build.

The flagstone-floored, farmhouse-style kitchen has hand-built units with oak countertops, a double Belfast sink, an Italian double-oven with rotisserie and hotplate, and a gorgeous larder with reclaimed French shutters as doors. The adjoining boot room and laundry provide excellent storage space. The cozy sitting room with wood floor, reclaimed brick wall, and drinks cupboard with a French copper sink, also has large bifold glass doors into the garden.

Upstairs, with wood floors throughout, the main bedroom continues the theme of light and air with French windows and a Juliette balcony over the garden, enabling residents to sleep in an amazing 'outdoor' ambience on hot summer nights. The main bedroom also has a window overlooking the Community Garden and has two dressing rooms, one en-suite. The main bathroom has a large, deep bath and walk-in, rainfall shower with other lovely features such as the sewing-machine table hand basin and overhead Velux for bath time stargazing.

The wide landing, with a spacious linen cupboard, leads to the second bedroom and a door opening to three further rooms which can be used as a separate unit if so desired. Comprising bedroom, bathroom, and studio, this end of the upper floor is currently a self-contained space for independent living but could equally be used as spare bedrooms or workrooms for the main residence. The studio has outdoor access down the stone steps into the front courtyard. A beautiful room with a vaulted ceiling, the studio has a new, fitted, kitchenette and features 'dove cote' windows and plantation shutters on its sash windows.

The garden at Crown Yard is a surprise and a delight. It is a town garden that puts nature first, creating a fascinating habitat full of wildlife. The large pond is home to newts, frogs, toads, dragonflies and a dozen native aquatic and wetland plant species. It is also a favourite bathing spot for many of the 26 species of birds recorded in the garden. Hedgehogs visit nightly through a 'smoot hole' from the adjoining Community Garden. On the terrace is a small greenhouse for growing early seedlings and summer produce. Young fig, hazel, oak and apple trees line the paths and herb bed. The summerhouse is an idyllic spot to watch the birds, work on crafts, or just relax to the sound of water trickling into the pond. Crown Yard also has a large, double garage, a rare feature in Frome. A large, external workshop provides working space for a variety of activities.

Crown Yard is in easy walking distance of Frome's historic centre, which is renowned for its atmospheric streets, quirky independent shops, cafés, galleries, and performing arts. Regularly featured in 'Best Place To…' lists, Frome is now famous for its independent town council, its innovative health care approaches, the monthly Independent Market, vibrant community action, and the surprise performances of international stars at the Cheese & Grain.

Marston Park, described as 'a playground for creativity with grown up food & drink' is on the doorstep providing an idyllic hub for relaxing and socialising. Babington House, the private members' club, with its swimming pools, tennis courts, gym, bars and restaurant is only a short drive away; and the Hauser & Wirth Gallery in Bruton and The Newt are also both within easy reach.

Connections in the area are excellent with the A37 and A303 (M3) not far away, providing access to the wider motorway network. Frome, Westbury and Warminster stations all provide regular rail services to London Paddington and London Waterloo.

Frome town centre 0.5 mile, Babington House 6.5 miles, Bruton 10 miles, Bath 14.5 miles (all distances are approximate).