The Yard, St Werburghs

"We bought this plot of land as it's nestled in a valley with allotments on one side and a nature reserve on the other. It is very quiet and extremely busy with birdlife. This year we had a family of woodpeckers nesting in the tree by the roof terrace. It is very peaceful sitting in the lounge and looking out at the skyline and allotments on the other side of the valley."

The Home

Built by a sculptor this is a genuinely unique property occupying a distinctive plot within The Yard, a community-led self build development born when local residents bought the former scaffolding yard and sold plots to self-builders, rescuing the site from commercial developers. The result is a small collection of individually designed homes with a shared ethos of creativity and craftsmanship, and this property is a standout example of what that freedom can produce.

The design is bold and unapologetically individual, blending reclaimed materials, industrial detailing and handcrafted joinery into a home that feels more like a piece of art than a conventional house.

The ground floor holds the garage that doubles as workshop and storage, with room for bikes, tools and projects, reflecting the maker's sensibility that runs through the whole building. A striking door created from reclaimed materials with a wheel mechanism, more akin to something from a ship or a vault, hints at the character to come as you move through the house. There is also a WC and shower room on the left as you enter.

The first floor has two double bedrooms. The second floor is given over to a bathroom finished in plywood panelling with a roll top bath and vintage brassware, alongside a further bedroom filled with eclectic, well loved furniture. On the third floor, the kitchen is a real statement space, with bold orange cabinetry, an industrial stainless steel worktop and a gas range cooker, opening out towards the garden and full of personality and warmth.

At the top of the house, the living room is the undoubted showstopper: a soaring, barrel vaulted room lit by a circular porthole window and full height glazing French doors opening onto a private balcony with views across the neighbouring rooftops and treeline. It is a wonderfully theatrical space, equally suited to quiet evenings by the wood burner or entertaining on a grand scale.

Outdoor Space

From the mezzanine level in the living room, stairs lead up to a private roof terrace, a genuine suntrap set above the rooftops with an outdoor shower and space to sit out, entertain or simply take in the views across the nature reserve behind, a haven for woodpeckers that have recently been sighted. It's a rare addition for a home in this part of Bristol, and one that makes full use of the building's unusual vertical layout.

Living in St Werburghs

St Werburghs is one of Bristol's most sought after and individual neighbourhoods, known for its independent spirit, strong community and easy access to green space. Morning croissants from Chaya, Pilates at St Werburghs Community Centre, a pint by the fire at The Miners Arms, wine and dumplings at Clouds, or a visit to St Werburghs City Farm to feed the goats before brunch at The Farm Cafe: the rhythms of life here are hard to give up. Wiper & True Tap Room, the Better Food Company, and Bloc Climbing at the end of Mina Road add to a neighbourhood that has genuine depth and community. The Church Climbing Academy is a short stroll away, and the nearby M32 provides easy access to Bristol Parkway and the wider motorway network. Ashley Down train station is a 5 minute walk and gets you to temple meads in 10 minutes.

Offered with no onward chain.
No cats allowed: there is a stipulation from the management committee that there are no cats allowed due to proximity to the nature reserve and local bird population.