National treasure, Mary Berry, has a long and proud association with Bath. It was the city within which she was born and grew up. It was at Bath High School that she learnt to bake – her first creation being a treacle sponge pudding – and later at Bath College of Domestic Science that she honed her craft. Mary’s childhood home was South Lawn on College Road in the suburb of Lansdown. Speaking to The Times back in 2015, Mary recalled growing up at South Lawn – a magnificent mid-nineteenth century Bath stone villa – during the Second World War. Her memories including hiding in the cellar during blackouts, and turning the substantial gardens over to grow fruit and vegetables and keep animals during the years of rationing. She also recollected a celebratory family tea party held on the front lawn on VE Day, where she apparently had her first taste of a Victoria sandwich. Mainly she spoke of the ‘wonderful’ space and freedom of the house and its grounds.
Mary and her family moved from South Lawn in 1950 and it was later divided into two homes. It has changed hands only twice since. Now, having enjoyed living there for more than three decades, its current owners are moving on, offering up the opportunity for a new family. Mary described the house, which is unlisted, as ‘imposing’, and, from the outside at least, it’s easy to see why. Set within large gardens and arranged over four storeys, the ashlar limestone building is as grand as it is elegant and beautiful. Inside it has a similarly impressive, yet warm and comfortable feel – indeed, from the moment you step through the door, it is clear that South Lawn is a well-loved family home.
With period character in abundance, including high ceilings, sash windows, arched doorways and a particularly lovely staircase, it has also been significantly extended in recent decades, with a large two-storey extension to the rear, and a swimming pool and garage. South Lawn is located within a stone’s throw of two of the best schools in the city, Kingswood and Royal High School Bath. And with schooling being such a pull-factor for families who are looking to move into Bath, when homes here come to the market they can generate quite a stir.
South Lawn is on the market with Savills Bath for a guide price of £2,800,000.
