Idyllic Country House - Pool & Tennis Court

Beautiful Georgian farmhouse set deep in the Somerset countryside, yet just 5 minutes from Bruton's Hauser & Wirth Art Gallery and the acclaimed Newt Hotel and Gardens. Comfortably sleeps 14 guests, with a swimming pool and tennis court, all set within 24 acres of 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).

The space
Turn off a small country lane, and head down a private drive winding through hay meadows, with sweeping views up to the historic monument of King Alfred's Tower. An elegant Georgian farmhouse awaits you, awash with blossom in Spring, and draped in wisteria and roses in Summer. 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 generous spaces of the house make it perfect for two or three families, who would like a degree of independence.

Bedrooms (7) & Bathrooms (6 + 2)
Bedroom 1 - Super King size bed (180cm wide), with ensuite bathroom (free standing bath and shower) and dressing room
Bedroom 2 - Super King size bed (180cm wide) with ensuite bathroom (free standing bath) Bedroom 3 - King Size Bedroom, with its own Bathroom (bath and Shower)
Bedroom 4 - King Size Bedroom which shares a Bathroom (free standing bath and shower) with Bedroom 5 & 6
Bedroom 5 - Twin Bedroom (bunk beds)
Bedroom 6- Single Bedroom (full size)
Bedroom 7 - Twin with Ensuite Bathroom (bath)

Bedroom 2 and 7 are located in The Dairy Barn, connected to the main house via the kitchen, but with a further hall between for privacy and quiet, ideal for a second family.

An additional mattress bed and cot is available on request.

Living Areas
The light drenched, south facing kitchen seating 10 has a full size aga, separate oven, gas hob, and a bank of full height windows opening onto the garden. Walk-in larder and 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 sitting room with a ping pong table (which has seen some epic battles), two huge sofas and a drinks fridge - perfect for late night drinks.

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, chickens, a large trampoline (see house rules), and a heated outdoor pool with an automated safety cover. And beyond… wild ponds, 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.

Bruton
Bruton has an array of fabulous restaurants, including the famous bakery At the Chapel; the acclaimed restaurants at The Newt; the Roth Bar and Grill at Hauser & Wirth; and the Michelin-starred Farm to Table restaurant Osip.

Further Afield
There are miles of footpaths and bridleways on your doorstep at King Alfred's Tower - a beautiful tower in the woods above the famous gardens at the 18th Century Stourhead. The Newt has extraordinary gardens, and an unparalleled museum of Roman Life. There is shopping at the stunning 18th Century UNESCO City of Bath, and at the eclectic town of Frome, and the stunning beaches of the Dorset coast are just over an hour away.

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***
- There are certain areas of the grounds which pose a very real danger to children and adults. These are the swimming pool, the stream, the two ponds and the trampoline (which has no safety net). In agreeing to rent the house, you assume all liability on behalf of all the guests on the premises during the duration of your rental, for any accident which may occur as a result of proximity to the swimming pool, the stream, the ponds or the trampoline.
- The cleaner will come in once mid-week for three hours to clean the kitchen and the bathrooms. Bed linen is changed once a week.
- Occupied cottage attached to the yoga room is not included in the rental (occupied by our lovely tenants). It has small windows opening onto the rose garden, screened with bushes. The cottage has no access to the garden or house, and the parking is separate and not visible from the house.