This rare-to-the-market, mid-century four-bedroom home is one of a small cluster of distinctive buildings designed in 1958 by the celebrated architect and artist Arthur Jackson Hepworth. Occupying a quiet position in Wick Hollow, Glastonbury, the internal living space extends to around 1,500 sq ft over two storeys, with many exceptionally retained original features. Beautifully landscaped tiered gardens, private off-street parking and a double garage extend to the rear, and Glastonbury town centre is within easy walking distance.

The Architect

Arthur Jackson Hepworth, or Jack Hepworth, as he was more commonly known, had two careers. In his earlier years, he studied as an abstract painter, heavily influenced by Ben Nicholson, his older cousin Barbara Hepworth, and the wider modern movement. In his career as an architect, he studied under Leslie Martin, later moving to Somerset, where he built several distinctive private houses featured in The Architect Magazine, the Daily Mail Ideal Home Book of House Plans and mentioned in Pevsner.

The Tour

The house is accessed via a private driveway, shared with the neighbouring house, also designed by Hepworth. The primary entrance is set on the northern façade, characterised by extensive full-height glazing, which invites light to stream through the lower and upper floors on this side.

A bright, open entrance hall leads to a generous circulation area, which opens, in turn, to the primary living space. An open-plan study and dining area, which would work equally well as a play area for children, is positioned centrally and offer excellent flexibility of use, with glazing on either side and double doors leading out to the terrace and gardens.

The main living space is a beautifully proportioned room, with the original mosaic parquet flooring and windows framing views of the garden. The original open fireplace provides a natural centrepiece, and timber-framed glass doors also offer direct access to the gardens from this room. The kitchen has been updated to make it suitable for modern life; it has a generous provision of storage, cooking and food preparation areas and appliances built neatly into the cabinetry. A separate utility space is interconnected.

The original open-tread cherry staircase leads to the bedrooms on the upper floor. The main bedroom has excellent natural light, an en suite shower room and far-reaching views across the Somerset Levels. An adjoining bedroom sits next door. The family bathroom, which has a bath which overlooks the garden, is flanked by two further double bedrooms on the southerly aspect. Both have views across the gardens and out towards Glastonbury Tor.

Outdoor Space

The plot, in its entirety, extends to around one-third of an acre and the rear gardens have been beautifully maintained and developed over many years. An immediate terrace leads out from the house, the perfect spot for a morning coffee or summer lunches, with steps from here leading down to the lower terrace, with an expanse of lawn to one side. Mature shrubs create structure to the borders, and beds of flowering perennials add colour throughout the seasons. A wild woodland area extends to the far edge, inviting a rich array of birdlife whilst providing excellent privacy and seclusion.

The Area

Wick Hollow is ideally located for Glastonbury town centre and Glastonbury Tor, both of which are reachable on foot in around 10 minutes. The surrounding area is well-renowned for its beautiful open countryside. The Levels and Moors offer abundant, diverse wildlife, attracting over 60 species of birds, including herons, egrets, hawks and barn owls. There is easy access to the Ham Wall nature reserve, where the murmuration of starlings becomes a spectacular show during winter’s dusk.

The quiet lanes are perfect for cycling, with route three of the national cycling network running through the Avalon marshes connecting Wells and Glastonbury. The Mendip Hills, Cheddar Gorge, Stockhill Wood and the Chew Valley are around ten miles north for more extensive walking opportunities.

The independent shops and cafes in Glastonbury, Street and Clarks village are easily reached for daily amenities. A broader selection in Wells, a city home to many annual food, literary and comedy festivals, can be reached in around 15 minutes.

The cities of Bath and Bristol, including its airport, are approximately an hour away by car, and there is a mainline railway station with access to London from nearby Castle Cary. To the east, the popular towns of Frome and Bruton and the Somerset highlights Hauser & Wirth Somerset, Osip, The Old Pharmacy and The Newt are easily reached by car in around 30 minutes.  The historic town of Somerton is around a 20-minute drive away, home to 28 Market Place, an artisan bakery, restaurant and wine shop.

The area has excellent schooling opportunities, including the highly regarded Millfield Prep and senior schools, primary schools in Wells, Wells Cathedral Prep and Wells Blue Secondary School, Downside School and All Hallows Preparatory School.

Council Tax Band: F

Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. The Modern House has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.