I have just been to see a modern terraced property in a cul-de-sac within the largest cul-de-sac in Europe. It was built about 10 years ago to a standard typical of the period and I am pleased to say that I founded largely in good condition and free from major defect. Because it is an inner terraced property the bathroom has no natural light or ventilation so I have suggested that a Velux skylight be introduced into the rear roof slope as this would resolve the problem. The kitchen and bathroom fitments are probably original and I suspect my Clients may wish to upgrade them but he has a good basis from which to start work…   more »

The cottage I saw today started out life probably with two bedrooms and one or two single-storey extensions, that to the rear probably having what is known as a ‘catslide’ roof and a single pitched roof to one side. That was many years ago probably prior to the turn of the last century. Today it has been extended above the extensions and built out to the rear. In short it has been totally modernised within the past four or five years, if truth be known probably the last three or four. I'm pleased to say that I found it structurally in reasonably good condition, but like a lot of properties I'm seeing these days, not yet finished. Apart from almost backing into a hillside as there were no real problems and I don't think the hillside is going to pose a problem. I do think the cottage needs careful attention to planning and why there is a Perspex skylight above the stairwell which could so easily have had fitted a window I do not know, because it had been, then one could have seen roses in the garden…   more »

To-day I looked at a house that I believe was built just after the turn of the last century, circa 1901, so, for the purist, a late Victorian villa property. The Luftwaffe however managed to destroy it and a number of its neighbours in 1941, but the council rebuilt it in 1948 and my Clients are now purchasing this house, though I believe their Building Society are under the impression it was built in 1910; no wonder they get everything wrong! It was rebuilt in a traditional style in keeping with the original, externally, but, internally at the house was finished to Council standards, so everything was very plain except for the 1930s style fireplaces which the Council probably had kicking around in their builder's yard. The previous owner had lived there all her life and had kept it in well above average condition and I think that my Clients are purchasing a pleasant house with a good-sized garden and a good-sized garage which probably has a multiple of other uses. I'm unsure whether they will stay there until the next century, but who knows...   more »

Well today I looked at a new house in sunny Westbury on Trym. Despite it being a lovely day I soon got rather depressed. This house is new but already there is a slate that has slipped on the roof and damaged states remain in situ together with a very slight sag to the roof. The brick layer probably took time out from evening classes, looking at the way mortar was left on the bricks and the rather indifferent widths of the vertical joints. Some of the stone lintels were not exact, being proud or setback from the brickwork. There wasn't a joiner on site either, because if there had been door and window hinges would have been the correct way up, all would have had screws and they would have fitted the openings rather better. The carpenter – a chippy in this case - was also probably a trainee. The person who designed the kitchen, didn't. This is a good size house where an opportunity has been lost, sad really, but knowing my Clients I think they may be able to turn this round …   more »

For various reasons I'm not saying where I was today, or what I saw, or how I found it, but rest assured as usual I had a busy day, in Clifton, Cotham, Redland now, let me think again was that Stoke Bishop Sneyd Park or Westbury on Trym ...   more »

The purpose-built flat that I inspected today was one of about 36 built in the mid-1960s at the end of a large cul-de-sac the name of which probably means meadow or a place where corn is grown, just off the main drag in Coombe Dingle. It was constructed by a couple of well-known Bristol builders, who are now involved in building works in the sky. These flats have stood the test of time reasonably well and my Clients are purchasing a top floor flat where the roof has recently been entirely renewed at the beginning of the year. The flat itself has been modernised, tastefully modernised and I'm pleased to report that I founded largely in good condition and free for major defect. However the block as a whole does suffer from fairly severe condensation problems and although there was no evidence that it exists in this flat, I have of course pointed this out to my Clients. The flat benefits from a garage (which itself has a crack in it) but the flat has a balcony and a very pleasant aspect over looking local playing fields, so at times it maybe slightly noisy but nevertheless I felt quite at home there ...   more »

I have today seen a very pleasant large semi – detached house built on fields (along time ago of course), once owned by the Bristol Society of Merchant Ventures. Originally it was named ‘Road Close’ in Clifton and it is close to all good local amenities, all of which frankly are within easy walking distance. The house has been well improved internally, and more often than not the interior is improved at the expense of the exterior. However, I suspect a previous owner has renovated the exterior quite well, even though I suspect it was some years ago and it was not in poor condition. It was not as good as the interior, but it weren’t bad! However, despite the improved interior there were a few ‘plumbing’ items that need sorting out and the boiler may need increasing in size. The house has a lovely garden and space for at least two cars, maybe even three. Where was it, well the road name has changed, and its existing name alludes to a high fort…   more »

Today I saw a large maisonette in this, in my view, slightly under rated town that lies almost mid way between Bristol and Bath, to which there is a fairly fast rail link. The town has good amenities, despite the closure of Cadbury’s; the High Street, which is a short walk away, was bustling! The dwelling was large and generally in good condition, but there was a little bit of damp that I suppose was inevitable, but equally disappointing. However, where there’s a will, there’s normally a way, so hopefully it can be sorted out. Some of the double glazed windows also need sorting out as well, and the upper floors tend to keel over a bit, but heigh ho. The property has a large and relatively peaceful garden in which (Mr and Mrs) Mallard Ducks have taken up residence; well they were happily sitting on the very small pond. There is a garage to boot, so all in all, not too bad…   more »

I have just been to see a very pleasant bungalow that has been converted into a small house high up on Banner Down, a small settlement, no doubt of good quality housing in a reasonably tranquil setting north east of Bath. The house was originally designed and built for the then owner in 1978. The new owner has converted the attic that existed into a magnificent living room in which there is a baby grand piano, but I'm not sure whether anyone can play it, and a bedroom with an ensuite secreted behind an open screen, so if you can't see what's going on you can certainly hear it! It was dressed for sale with flowing curtains, actually of course just cut-off lenghths of material and small piles of old books probably bought from a second hand store or a charity book shop tied up with pretty bits of ribbon -- wasn't that sweet -- all just pretence; I was really quite surprised there was no bread baking in the oven and a coffee percolator percolating away! Oh, the house wasn't in bad condition but there are some silly bits which are missing that should have been seen, such as gutter ends and missing down pipes. There are two open balconies which have triangular shaped roofs that give the main elevation the appearance that there are two large triangular shaped voids in the roof space, odd really...   more »

Unfortunately on my way to Slad for a drink with Rosie, and her friend Laurie Lee I found the road was taken up by the local authority who were carrying out significant works. My way was blocked so instead I looked at an interesting semi-detached house up next to the church in a cul-de-sac, whose sole purpose in life is to lead people to the church and of course to the few houses around it. The property is I saw today was tenanted, and it's the sort of thing you can guess when you see a tenanted property, because it's not as tidy as perhaps it would be where the vendor in residence. Nevertheless this was a pleasant house in a reasonably quiet spot, apart from the chiming church clock. It was close the centre of town and therefore to reasonably good local amenities. The house requires a little significant money spending on its, but there are prudent improvements which could be made, and of course these we'll all be pointed out in my report. When they're finished, I hope the road will be clear and then it's off to see Rosie...   more »

It was a lovely sunny day and I had a pleasant drive over to Bath where I found an equally pleasant house. Contrary to the run-of-the-mill Georgian property in Bath I normally see, over which no doubt the Japanese and others get ecstatic, this was a house built by privateer in the 1970s, probably on a former bombsite. It was an end of terrace property, one of three where the owners had been occupation for the past 20 or so years. They had kept it well maintained. It was light and bright and very modern. The kitchen was black-and-white, the bathroom was white, the decorations were delightfully muted and living room had an unusual cradle fireplace having pebbles as the heating element. All in all this was a very pleasant house largely in good condition and free from major defect. To boot it was close to good local amenities had a garage and parking space and the garden though not small was completely decked out. In fact it was quite unusual to find such a house over which one could actually rage, and be the envy of your friends and neighbours...   more »

Many years ago I suspect woods covered the slopes of Clifton that led down to the harbour which is probably why the area is now known as Cliftonwood and that is where I happened to be today. I was looking at a mid-terraced pavement edged house that I was expecting to be in better condition than I found it, so to a point, I was slightly disappointed. The roof was sound as was the lead work there, but past leaks of the front parapet gutter had allowed wall plaster at first floor level to become damp and perished, so it needs hacking off renewing. The front elevation is all a bit drab; it needs smartening. The ashlar all needs very careful repair and restoration, the job of a skilled stonemason, not Bob the Builder. The two windows also need some renovation after which the house will then look smart again. The rear elevation needs redecorating but that is about all. I was disappointed with the bathroom and its window that probably also needs replacing. The house however is in a convenient location and it has a pleasant garden, but it does need some money spending on it after which one can wander down through the woods and enjoy the amenities of the harbour...   more »

I suppose that statement goes without saying but, try as they might Hermann Goring and his crew did endeavour to destroy Bristol and to an extent that they did in parts, but not in this area. I was in Windmill Hill today, where bombs exploded very close to the house that I inspected but there was little evidence of any serious damage. The present owners have only been in occupation for a short while but nevertheless have kept it adequately maintained. Before their arrival, the roof had been stripped and upgraded and although I was unable to get onto the roof, I was able to find the valley gutters have been relined with lead. There are mainly new windows and mainly new ceilings, some of which of course may have come crashing down during the war. There was a certain amount of dampness inside walls but bearing in mind the age of the house, there was nothing exceptional. The house is a reasonably quiet road and has a pleasant garden with a fish pool, or, was that a former crater???   more »

I know it was a clean cottage, Mrs Vendor told me so. They were clean people, when I mentioned that ash in the great had been cleared out. I only mentioned it because ash in my great stays there for about three months as I find that logs burn best on a bed of ash!!! Ah well never mind hey? Actually the house wasn't too bad and it was quite clean. Structurally it was all in reasonably good and sound condition. It was in fact a converted mews cottage, but I'm unsure whether or not it was originally stables and a mews or just mews, because the property had chimney stacks and stables normally don't. It is largely immaterial of course as there are now two brick built chimney stacks constructed probably in the 1930s, so there. The principal roof was sound but I was slightly taken aback to see corrugated asbestos sheeting on four of the smaller roofs on the front elevation, even though they are barely visible. There is some cracking of the solid stone walls, but nothing untoward. I think the house requires a certain amount of potential replanning because it is slightly awkwardly laid out with two staircases, but no doubt my Client has all of this in mind. An interesting house but the garden is divided by lane though I don't think boy racer travels along it, thankfully, so the peace and quiet of the country is preserved …   more »

Just as you arrive in London off the M4, if memory serves me correctly there is an office building in Chiswick, or is that just before Chiswick, that towers above the motorway on the right-hand side that looks just like the prow of a ship. I don't know who the architect was. Sir Richard Rogers was the architect involved in the construction of The Gherkin office block in central London, but I do not know who the architect was who designed this block of flats to look like the top end of a seagoing liner, the bow of a liner, with numerous decks, that I saw today in the largest cul-de-sac in Europe, in Portishead. It was light and bright and breezy outside, because it is 'moored' by the marina but, internally because of the good quality double glazing, it is quiet and cool and calm. It is also light and bright, and spacious too. It is kitted out with good quality fitments and has a large parking space. All in all, I wouldn't object to being stranded here…   more »

The Grand old Duke commanded us Brits in the Crimea War culminating in the Battle of Waterloo, which of course we won! He was also our Prime Minister, so it is not surprising that some road and streets in Bristol are named after him, particularly as he was given freedom of the City. (I wonder just how many streets or roads there will be eventually called ‘Brown’ Road or ‘Brown’ Avenue?) The house that I saw today was probably built shortly after his, the Duke’s not Brown’s, death in 1852, but it was a very pleasant home that had been well cared for and maintained by the present owners. Of course there’s always a little something or other that needs attention, but nothing here that I see as deal breaking. So it’s ‘Hats off’ to my Client for finding such a pleasant home, here in the heart of Clifton…   more »

There was once upon a time a famous Bristol man by the name of Joseph Cottle who I believe published John Wordsworth's ‘Lyrical Ballads’ but unfortunately I don't think I'm going to wax particularly lyrical about the house I saw this morning. Originally it was a garage with bedroom accommodation above, attached to a neighbouring house. The owner obtained planning consent and, apparently, building regulation approval to split this up to form a small two-bedroom house with a kitchen and living room. Notwithstanding the fact that some of the ceilings and some of the walls are out of kilter, and the hatch to the roof was for a midget, access to the first floor is from stairs leading directly off the kitchen. If there is a chip pan fire in the kitchen and the house then gets the light and someone is upstairs they may get the fry of their life ...   more »

The vendors of this mid-terraced town house I saw later in the day, advised me that during the past 11 or so years of ownership the most spectacular alteration they had made was removing one of the carpets which revealed a not unpleasant lightly stained oak boarded floor. Unfortunately of course that is the only thing they have done and now, as a result almost everything has to be done to bring the house kicking and screaming into the 21st century. Nevertheless my Clients have found a pleasant house in a reasonably quiet location, though Cotham School can be quite noisy and I note that opposite there is a building, probably run by the government, The North Bristol Post 16 Centre, presumably for 16-year-olds who no doubt are in need of a rest cure. Get out and GET a job – their there, if you only look the part and LOOK…   more »

I returned today to where I was yesterday in order to complete my report and I'm pleased to say that I found this baronial palace largely in good condition and free from major defect. It is an interesting house but I suspect that my Client’s will wish to make alterations and renovations, all of which will of course require Listed Building consent. They will need the skills of a qualified architect specialising in such property because they will have to deal with Bristol City Council conservation officers, and that could be a nightmare, but nothing that a viper wouldn't sort out ...   more »

In 16 something or other a Bristol merchant, actually Sir Maurice Cook, a one-time Master of the Merchant Venture’s had a son, but a gypsy woman told his wife he would never make the age of 21. As he grew older his father put him in a tower of the house he had built overlooking the Avon Gorge, so that he could attain that age. It was cold and so firewood was sent up to him on a pulley and in the morning he was found to be dead - killed by the poisonous venom of a Viper hidden in the woodpile! So the Romany was right after all and the house became a ruin. A certain Doctor Goodeve purchased the wreck when he returned from India after a successful few years as a surgeon and in 1858 he built the current house which is where I have been today and where I will be tomorrow; I hope I don't find any Vipers in the attic - it would be a first, but, so far so good ...   more »

Arbutus is an ancient name for a wild strawberry I'll have you know; it's also the name of an old pathway in north west Bristol but I suspect that, like the wild strawberries it got gobbled up in the development of the area in the 1930s. The house that I saw today was one such built at that time and one which has been fairly well maintained. The chimney stack, roof, and gutters were all sound. Main walls show no signs of any settlement or movement but there was a certain amount of intrinsic dampness in the side elevation that was disappointing. Most of the windows had been replaced though some of the original placements remain but as they are misting, they will need replacing. Insulation within the roof void is abysmal, but this can be easily improved although the vendor will have to remove all their stored items and rubbish. The house has a new kitchen, a new bathroom and a new cloakroom and some walls and ceilings have been re-skimmed. There is a large deck and a good-sized garden together with parking spaces and garage. Intrinsically, a big word for Maundy Thursday, there seems nothing wrong with it, except that there seems to be something missing, but - "je ne sais quoi” - something - wild strawberries perhaps???   more »