Couple Purchase Energy-Efficient Home In Claverham
Eleanor McGhie and Rowan Spear returned to the South West from Edinburgh, to be closer to their family after the pandemic.
Concerns over the rising cost of energy prompted them to look for an energy-efficient home, and the couple bought a Charlbury semi-detached, four-bedroom home at Court de Wyck in Claverham in Bristol in 2022.
Eleanor says: “It was a good decision to buy the Charlbury as we can grow into it. We both work from home, so we have an office each as well as a guest bedroom. We were previously sharing an office space, so we had to schedule calls so as not to disturb the other person! We love the top floor of the Charlbury. I vividly remember going up the stairs for the first time and being amazed at that space. There’s an en-suite, walk-in wardrobe and lots of storage.”
Rowan continues: “It’s luxurious and unexpected. People always comment on the top floor room and we feel incredibly lucky to have it. I would say that it’s one of the main USPs of the home and you wouldn’t expect it of a semi-detached property. We looked at other townhouse-style properties around Bristol and the top floor felt cramped and small in comparison to the Charlbury, and the staircase was just a dead space. Incorporating the staircase and bannisters into the room gives it lots of character.”
Eleanor adds: “The Charlbury is a house that’s conducive to socialising. We have an amazing open-plan kitchen/diner for entertaining, so someone can be cooking whilst others have drinks and nibbles at the table, and you still feel part of it all. The lounge and sun room is one big space and we’ve not quite figured out how to use all this extra room yet.”
Rowan comments: “We moved in in October and were able to host Christmas for our families for the first time, and Eleanor celebrated her birthday with a New Year’s Eve bash. The house can easily sleep seven or eight people and we’re looking forward to having more people around.”
The couple looked at other developments in the locality before choosing Court de Wyck. Rowan explains: “The build quality was very good and we also liked the way the site had been developed to fit into the local community; it has a nice aesthetic and doesn’t feel too crowded. We have a local pub and there’s a post office that operates twice a week from the village hall, which is also home to the village market, Christmas market and beer festivals.”
Eleanor adds: “It’s a friendly and welcoming community and we have some really good walks in the area. In the morning we can hear sheep from the nearby fields.”
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