Just imagine the gossip and murmurings that have happened within the walls of The Minister’s House – a Grade 1 listed historic residence. Built in 1792 and a prime example of Georgian architecture, this is the former home to William Pitt the Younger, Britain’s youngest Prime Minister. A stunning double fronted, six-bedroom home across four floors, sleeping 12.
Step inside the gracious hallway for period feature overload. A magnificent cantilevered staircase, decorative cornicing, marble fireplaces, crystal chandeliers and more. Yet this is also a modern home to satisfy our need to stream with BT superfast Wi-Fi and two 50” TVs with Netflix and freeview. Fit for today’s PM, the kitchen and bathrooms have all mod cons.
Away from the abundance of retail temptations, be Elizabeth or Mr Darcy and promenade the majestic Royal Crescent and Circus. Soak in the glow from the honey coloured stone. Catch a rugby match at The Rec or a play at The Theatre Royal. Choices for eating and drinking are infinite. No need for a car or horse and cart, everything is at your fingertips from this rather splendid front door.
Living spaces at the Ministers House balance Regency elegance and modern day comfort. Glide up the gracious staircase to the first floor and find two connected rooms that form the primary living area. Feel overwhelmed by the sense of light and space; vast sash windows display panoramic views of the city and countryside beyond.
Soaring ceilings are framed with exquisite cornicing; chandeliers add extra brilliance. To the front of the living space, take tea on library chairs or play boardgames on the super-sized ottoman perfectly poised in front of the marble fireplace. In the adjoining room – which is equally impressive, yet a touch more serene – two sink-in sofas will beckon for a spot of shut eye or pop some fizz for more sparkle.
For those seeking a nook for full Austen immersion, leather tub chairs in the ‘snug’ more than fit the bill. This small, yet stately, ground floor room has a wonderful window seat from which to spy on the comings and goings of the street beyond. The original fireplace and grand Regency mirror complete the scene.
This is no ordinary kitchen – think elegant form and contemporary function. It’s a soothing, tactile space where the bespoke walnut island takes centre stage. A cool Chablis from the integral wine fridge will get creative cooking juices flowing. Rustle up something delicious on the induction hob. With two gas ovens, microwave and a full-size fridge and freezer, nothing is off limits.
Pop a pod in the Nespresso machine and make the curved banquette your morning coffee spot complete with Sicilian cannoli and aragostine from Avellinos. Later on, catch up on the day around the circular table with a bottle of Bath Gem or a Bath Distillery gin with savouries from the Bertinet Bakery.
Up the ante and call in one of our chefs for a celebration feast or even fully catered stay. The adjoining dining room will comfortably seat 10 around the handsome table. Georgian arched windows, cornicing and candelabra set the scene for any meals whether home cooked, delivered or takeaway. Let the dishwasher take the strain of clearing up.
Eating out? So much choice within a short walk from this residence. Foodies will love Clayton’s Kitchen for modern European and British cuisine or give taste buds a spicy treat at Mantra Progressive Indian. The Hare and Hounds more than ticks the pub grub box. Take quintessential afternoon tea in The Royal Crescent Hotel or go to Sally Lunn’s, home of the original Bath Bunn.
The Minister’s House sleeps 12 in six dreamy bedrooms with heavenly Egyptian cotton sheets, plumped pillows a-plenty and sumptuously deep mattresses. Ascend the elegant staircase with curved mahogany banister to bedrooms located from the first to fourth floors.
Bedroom one on the first floor has a kingsize bed and pleasing muted palette with blue accents. Admire the Georgian landscape from the comfort of two padded window seats or catch up on your favourite Netflix courtesy of the 50” TV.
Find the master suite on the second floor and feel cocooned within the feathered and flowered drapes of the superking four poster. Admire the period fireplace from the elegant sofa and curvaceous armchairs. Across the hall, Bedroom 3 has a kingsize bed and a gentle pink décor. Within the spacious and airy shared bathroom, the freestanding oval bath is big enough for two, likewise the enclosed glass shower. Two washbasins flank the period fireplace.
There are two more bedrooms on the third floor. Get cosy in Bedroom 4 with its twin beds and 50” TV. Adjacent is Bedroom 5, a superking room with supersized views over the surrounding streets. The shared bathroom on this floor has a fresh feel with a freestanding bath and standalone shower. On the very top floor is Bedroom 6 – a cosy superking with ample built in storage. Open sliding doors to reveal an ensuite with freestanding bath and separate shower unit.