West End House

VisitEngland 4* Gold Award achieved - May 2013 and May 2014 The only Poole Merchant House still in single private ownership, West End House dominates St James` Square in Poole Old Town, overlooking Poole`s Parish Church. Built in the early 18th Century for the Slade family, reputedly by the Bastard Brothers of Blandford, the house was home to one of Poole`s wealthiest merchant families, with extensive interests in Newfoundland, trading fish, provisions, timber and luxury items between Newfoundland, Poole and the Iberian peninsula. The stone salt urns and the carved pineapples on the pediment of the house hint at both the goods traded and the wealth generated by the family. In the 19th Century it became home to Jessie Carter, the founder of Poole Pottery. West End House is a fine Grade II* listed example of early Georgian architecture, retaining a wealth of original features, beautifully and sympathetically renovated in period style. West End House stands proudly in the heart of Poole Old Town, a quieter area of winding streets but just moments from Poole Quay with its bustling array of marine activities, restaurants and bars. This is a rare opportunity to stay in a substantial five bedroom, five bathroom house. The ground floor comprises a large living room with period fire place, large television with Virgin freeview, catch-up TV, further recording options and DVD player. The dining room with its ornate plaster ceiling and period fireplace offers a large circular dining table accommodating 10. To the rear of the property on the ground floor there is a playroom equipped with stacks of toys for children (young and old!) and a 50 inch, wall-mounted television with Playstation, Wii, Virgin television package and DVD player. There are also a few sitting tenants in the form of resident goldfish! Also at the rear of the property is a large, light kitchen and further breakfast area with table for six and breakfast bar for three. The kitchen includes 4-burner gas hob, single electric oven, 2x under unit fridges (one with freezer top compartment), Bosch dishwasher, sink and half bowl sink, microwave / grill, Dualit toaster and heaps of other gadgets. Comprehensively equipped for all cooks. The kitchen leads to a separate utility room equipped with Miele washing machine, AEG tumble dryer and table top freezer. There is a cloakroom on the ground floor with period fittings. The original staircase, with hand-carved mahogany handrail and spindles, leads to the first floor where there are four double bedrooms, each with en-suite bath/shower rooms. A spacious and light master bedroom with superkingsize half-tester four poster bed, Georgian fireplace, original shutters and spacious ensuite bathroom (bath with shower over, sink and toilet) and views over St James` churchyard. Front facing second bedroom with brass and wrought iron kingsize bed (plus optional child`s pull-out), original fireplace and shutters and spacious en-suite bathroom (bath with shower over, sink and toilet). Further `blue` bedroom extremely spacious and light with twin beds (or zip and link superkingsize double), plenty of toys for children to share and an ensuite shower room (walk in electric shower, sink and toilet). Finally on this floor, a spacious `pink` bedroom with double bed with original fireplace, cuddly toys and dolls house and ensuite shower room (walk in electric shower, sink and toilet). The staircase leads up to the second floor where there is a wonderfully cosy one-bedroom flat with character beams and sloping ceilings. A small but fully equipped kitchen with 4-seater breakfast table, electric oven and ceramic hob, under-unit fridge, half-size dishwasher, sink and half bowl sink. The spacious living room overlooks St James` Square with comfortable seating, large television with Virgin freeview facility and DVD player, and leads to a spacious kingsize double bedroom, plenty of storage and wardrobe space, and a spacious en-suite bathroom (shower over bath, sink and toilet). Outside, there is a formal parterre garden of roses to the front surrounded by box hedging, lawn and a wrought iron fence beyond the yew hedge. To the rear, there is a sizeable yard shared with the adjacent cottages where there is ample parking for four cars and an outside courtyard seating area. West End House is a private dwelling which is still lived in, but made available to discerning guests during the peak summer period. Duvets and linen provided (including bath and beach towels). Central Heating, flat screen 50 inch television and further televisions with Virgin freeview services, DVD players, CD players, IPOD docking stations, Broadband and WIFI. Two kitchens including Hobs, Electric Ovens, Fridges, Dishwashers, Microwave. Washing Machine and Tumble Dryer. Hairdryers in each bedroom. Visit England Assessor Comments - May 2014: West End House is a stunning property situated in the older part of Poole and is an ideal base for exploring the surrounding area. The property has been furnished to an excellent standard with pristine original flooring and carpets. High quality furniture and a superb provision of bathrooms are provided. A wide range of appliances are provided which include a new freezer for this year. Excellent beds and they were dressed in pristine Egyptian cotton linen. High levels of cleanliness were noted throughout Restrictions:- Strictly No smoking and No pets. Children Welcome. Minimum stay is 7 nights and Saturday to Saturday bookings only.