Anne Venus left Britain in the seventies for a career as a headhunter in Asia, where she stayed for 20 years.

She admits to being homesick for her first six months in Singapore, but then took to the ex-pat lifestyle and included spells in Hong Kong and Malaysia before returning to the UK in the 1990s.

"Coming back was a bit of a culture shock," admits Anne. The England she had left was a tolerant, humorous place, with Monty Python in his prime. On her return people were less tolerant, the jokes were different and she was very surprised by the feeling of fear that had developed. "Everybody was frightened of something. It was all about locked doors, being careful, and constant warnings."

She has got used to this, and has never for one moment felt that her lovely house at Kingsdown, outside Box is anything other than completely secure.

"The children who live along the lane can play happily in the woods nearby - they are full of dens and ropes hanging from the trees, and being on a no through road it is quiet and feels very safe."

On her return Anne bought Owl House, and considered continuing in her profession. "I had a couple of good offers, but I had had enough of travelling, and I wanted to get a dog." The arrival of Ruff, a Border/Lakeland terrier cross was followed by Cassie, a combination of Great Dane and Labrador which made taking up the reins of headhunting again out of the question.

A four bedroom house is large for a single person, but Anne says: "I am used to big houses, and loved the location so much."

This is easy to understand, as the house is built into the side of a steep hill offering glorious views of Bath some five miles away. "It suddenly dawned on me, looking out at that spectacular view, that Owl House would be very good for B&B, so that is what I did. Demand is seasonal, so I could do it six months on, six months off. Owl House has welcomed so many nationalities, so many guests. I've had nice children, and naughty children, and used to allow nice and naughty dogs, but that became too difficult."

Anne created en suite facilties for two double bedrooms from a smaller bedroom, which still allowed space for one more shower upstairs, so every bedroom in the house has its own bath or shower. She also extended what had been a ramshackle sunroom into a pretty Victorian style conservatory opening on to a paved terrace. This has been a lovely place to serve breakfast to her guests.

Anne cooks that breakfast in her pretty kitchen, which has huge windows overlooking the garden. "I often see deer in the field next door in the mornings."

The gardens of Owl House are spectacular, with inviting seating areas hidden away in the steep sweep between the road and the house. There is a beautiful pond packed with water lilies and fish and flower borders leading down to the paved terrace that surrounds the house. Below the house a level lawn has been carved out of the hillside.

"There really are owls that visit the garden, which gets Ruff very excited, and we also have lots of other wildlife. It is wonderful for walking and a lot of my neighbours are members of Kingsdown Golf Club, which is just through the woods opposite the house."

Owl House was originally a single story cottage, which was extended over a 25 year period by the previous owners.

  • Owl House, Kingsdown Price guide £575,000 Built in Cotswold stone, it offers a hall, sitting room, dining room, conservatory, study/bedroom five, kitchen, utility room, cloakroom/ shower on the ground floor, four bedrooms, two en suite shower rooms, an en suite bathroom, separate shower room.

Contact Humberts, Chippenham (01249) 444557.