Beautiful Georgian farmhouse set deep in the Somerset countryside, only 5 minutes from trendy Bruton’s Hauser & Wirth Art Gallery and the recently opened 5* Newt Hotel. Comfortably sleeps 12 guests, with a swimming pool and tennis court, all set within 24 acres of organic gardens and hay meadows. This is a truly magical spot - the English Country House experience at its best, easily accessible from London, with a fast rail link from Castle Cary to London Paddington (90min).
Turn off a country lane, and head down a private drive with meadows on either side, and sweeping views up to the historic monument of King Alfred's Tower. An elegant Georgian farmhouse awaits you, draped in wisteria and roses in the summer, with beautiful old sash windows. You are only a few minutes drive from Bruton, but its sophisticated restaurants feel like worlds away. Prepare yourself for complete relaxation. Dark night skies, and not a sound to break the peace except the wood pigeons, the calling of owls at dusk and the burr of an occasional tractor in the fields beyond the house.
INSIDE
The house dates from the middle of the 18th Century, and is both full of character and exceptionally comfortable. It retains many of its original features including the beautiful stone floors and 18th Century shutters, with luxurious bathrooms.
The Main House has 1 very large superking Master Bedroom with an ensuite bathroom and dressing room, 1 guest bedroom with a king size bed, with its own bathroom next door, and three charming good sized children’s bedrooms - 1 king size, 1 single and 1 twin (bunk beds) sharing a 'family' bathroom. Each of the three bathrooms on the first floor has both a bath and a shower.
The Dairy Barn, connected to the main house via the hall, has one beautiful Super King bedroom (ground floor) with its own bathroom and two large windows onto the garden, and a lovely twin bedroom above with its own bathroom. These two bedrooms are conveniently located near the kitchen, but with a further hall between for privacy and quiet.
The generous spaces of the house make it perfect for two or three families, who would like a degree of independence.
An additional mattress bed and cot is available on request.
LIVING AREAS
The light drenched, south facing kitchen seating 8 - 10 has a full size aga, separate oven, gas hob, and a bank of full height windows opening onto the garden. American style double door fridge freezer. An elegant drawing room with double sash East and West facing windows has a card table, and a large log fireplace. The dining room has an exceptional 18th Century fireplace. There is a large playroom, with doors opening onto the garden, with a 42 inch TV. In the barn across the courtyard from the kitchen is a large pool room with a ping pong table (which has seen some epic battles), two huge sofas and a drinks fridge - perfect for late night drinks. And next door is a stunning high ceilinged yoga/gym/office space with an oversized desk, and its own private garden. The croquet set is for your use.
*There is high speed Wifi throughout the house, Amazon Fire (with Netflix) and Sky TV (Sky Q).
OUTSIDE
Stunning, extensive mature organic gardens and orchard, stables, hay meadows, an all weather tennis court, various Yorkstone terraces, BBQ for outdoor lunches, a swing for young children, chickens, a large trampoline (see house rules), a treehouse folly with a wood burning stove over the stream - perfect for gin and tonics in the evening, heated outdoor pool with an automated safety cover. And beyond… fields for roaming or pitching a bell tent, and woods over the stream for the kids to explore. This is a truly exceptional location, renowned for its rural seclusion, and surrounded on all sides by large country house estates, the most famous of which is Stourhead. There is extensive parking at the back of the house.
The swimming pool is 11m x 4.5m, and is heated from May through September.
BOOK yourself a yoga session with an exceptional private teacher, or a massage with wonderful local masseurs (numbers can be supplied). Or a regular lesson with a brilliant local tennis coach.
***Please note***
- Occupied cottage attached to the yoga room is not included in the rental. It has small windows opening onto the rose garden, screened with bushes. The cottage has no access to the garden or house.
- The cleaner will come in once mid-week for four hours to clean the kitchen and the bathrooms. Bed linen is changed once a week on a Friday.