Chapel converted into beautiful three-bed home - but the garden's a graveyard
A converted church with stain-glass windows and vaulted ceilings may sound like a dream home, but prospective buyers will need to be on board with the garden being an actual graveyard.
Anyone looking for a unique home may well be tempted by this beautiful chapel conversion in the quaint village of Chilcompton, Somerset, which is currently for sale for £725,000.
Renovated in the mid 80’s by enthusiastic architect Warwick Rodwell, this once serving church has been transformed into a bright and airy family home.
Downside Old Church, the new name for the property, offers any brave prospective buyers three bedrooms and a whole host of quirky features including the original church doors, stained glass windows and characterful beams.
But as a former working church, it also features a lawn littered with grave stones, so any wannabe homeowners will need to be au-fait with al fresco dining with the dead.
On the upside at least there won't be any noise from the neighbours.
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Built in 1800, but having fallen into disrepair over the years, Rowell, who specialises in church and chapel conversions, has transformed the space into an Insta-worthy family home, which still maintains some of it's church-y features including a galleried landing, flagstone flooring and arched doors.
Stone carvings, pillars, parquet flooring and ornate metal heating grills, from Coventry Cathedral, make up some of the other covetable features.
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Despite it's history, however, the property has been brought into the 21st century with all the mod cons needed for family living including a high-spec kitchen, which was formerly the vestry, and has been fully renovated to an exceptional standard.
The main living space is a stunning double height room, with wooden floors featuring six leaded arched windows which flood the room in natural light.
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Thoughtfully curated decor create a cosy feel within the impressive space and highlight the characterful features.
But before you get in touch with your mortgage broker to make an offer you'll need to get your head around sharing your garden with those no longer with us.
With the headstones spanning back to over 200 years old, it's fair to say many are no longer visited, but there are a number of historic gravestones within the plot, which may still be of interest.
However, prospective visitors would have to submit a written request to the new owners of the property in advance.
While the property might not appeal to the easily spooked, the space on offer and quirky features will make it an ideal home for those looking for an out-of-the-box property.
“The main draw to the house is the how big it really is inside, the garden is a compromise to some, but the other features make it a great home," explains branch manager Samuel Masters from estate agency Cooper and Tanner, who are marketing the property.
“The strong colours inside and the way it has been well decorated eradicates any cold and spooky feelings of a church and gives a warm and cosy feeling to the home.
“The garden wouldn’t suit everyone, but the house itself has a lot of quirky characteristics.
“So many memories will have happened in this church, weddings, baptisms and also funerals, the home has retained its magnificent history whilst being liveable in a church.”
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As well as presenting a unique opportunity to break away from the norm, the property has a pretty covetable location being close to the centre of the village, with easy access to all the amenities Chilcompton has to offer - including a post office, doctors' surgery, shop, garage, farm shop with café, church, recreation ground and a pub, the Redan Inn, which in recent years has won several awards.
The village also has a primary school which currently has an 'outstanding' Ofsted rating and has close links to Bath and Frome.
Additional reporting Caters.
