Property description
A magnificent farmstead comprising an impressive farmhouse, a very fine Tithe Barn with connections to Glastonbury Abbey, a substantial traditional barn, other period and modern farm buildings, gardens and paddocks; in all just under 5 acres.
DESCRIPTION A rare opportunity to acquire a substantial farmhouse and historically significant Grade I listed Tithe Barn, set in mature and private grounds. Manor Farm offers potential to develop the house and outbuildings and could suit a variety of uses from a large family home, holiday cottages, office space, weddings, functions or a boutique hotel, all subject to the necessary consents. The Tithe Barn is of 15th Century date and was one of four originally connected to Glastonbury Abbey. The main house has five bedrooms and dates back to the 17th Century retaining many of its original features; there is an unconverted wing that could offer a further four bedrooms or convert to 1 or 2 self-contained apartments. A further detached Grade II listed barn, formerly cart sheds and stables adjoins a courtyard of traditional farm buildings and there is also a range of more modern agricultural buildings. There are formal and courtyard gardens with an orchard, in addition to the three stone walled paddocks.
THE ACCOMMODATION The property is approached by the courtyard to the rear, but retains the original sweeping driveway to the front together with other period features such as high ceilings, mullioned and leaded light windows, historic fireplaces, decorative coving, flagstones and oak floorboards. An elegant reception hall with stairs off has doorways leading to the sitting room, kitchen, dining room, study and cloakroom. The sitting room has flagstone floors, a Doulting stone fireplace with wood burning stove, period cabinet, alcove and decorative coving; double glazed sash windows overlook the gardens at the side and stone mullion windows with secondary glazing to the rear. Overlooking the courtyard, the traditional farmhouse kitchen has flagstone floors, and a cream oil fired Aga set into a stone chimney recess. The kitchen is fitted with a range of wooden wall and floor cabinets with a 1½ bowl sink, electric hob and double oven. A reclaimed stone archway leads into the larder and there is a useful utility room with further cabinets and plumbing for the laundry machines. The dining room is dual aspect and has sash windows enjoying views of the gardens, paddocks and surrounding countryside. There is an oak floor, a Doulting stone fireplace and hearth with a ‘Jetmaster‘ open fire inset and period alcoves. The study has a fitted recessed bookcase, a cast Iron fireplace and enjoys views of the front gardens. A downstairs cloakroom completes this part of the house.
The first floor landing is spacious and benefits from a glazed atrium. The master bedroom enjoys super views of the gardens and open countryside and has an en-suite bathroom with shower, corner jacuzzi bath and heated towel rail. Bedroom two has a dual aspect and an en-suite shower room, again with heated towel rail. There are two further double bedrooms and a large single bedroom all serviced by the family bathroom which has a bath with shower over and heated towel rail. An enclosed wooden staircase leads up to the former servant‘s quarters which has wide oak boards a period fireplace, and three rooms. The unconverted wing of the house can be accessed from the ground and first floors and comprises of the following; entrance hall with flagstone floor, a reception room (formerly a cheese room) with fireplace and stone mullion windows and two further reception rooms and a cellar. A panelled staircase leads to the first floor where there are four good sized rooms and a cloakroom. This area could be incorporated into the main house or used as an annexe or a guest wing.
Accessed from the kitchen in the house, stone steps lead down into the cellar. There are a series of five rooms that would have once been for the servants to prepare the meals and store the food and produce. The head heights are good and the cellar is dry with an external door, fireplace, bread ovens, salt and copper sinks.
OUTSIDE The original driveway sweeps across the mature front gardens that are bounded by a mature privet hedge and some spectacular beech trees. The gardens enjoy super views and from the house you can see Glastonbury Tor, Cranmore Tower and King Alfred‘s Tower and the sea on a clear day. The gardens divide nicely and there is a paved cottage garden that is planted with Lavender and David Austin roses. There is a green house, vegetable area and play house. Soft fruits are planted along a garden wall with an orchard having both eating and cooking apples, fig, pear and cherry trees.
THE OUTBUILDINGS These lie to the rear of the farmhouse and comprise a range of traditional buildings arranged around a courtyard that would have once incorporated a dairy, parlour and cattle housing. A large detached two storey barn with four arched bays was formerly cart sheds and stables with hayloft on the first floor. Now this provides two stables with automatic drinkers covered grooming area, hay and tack storage, garaging for four vehicles and log store. The Tithe Barn is a scheduled Ancient Monument and is Listed Grade I, the list entry states that ‘It is an extremely unusual survival in such fine condition‘. The barn has ashlar stone walls with ornate carving and gargoyles and a stone tiled roof. It is a particularly fine example being 8 bays long and having 2 large gabled wagon porches. The interior has a raised cruck roof with spectacular timbers. Adjoining is a range of traditional pig sties under a stone tiled roof.
MODERN FARM BUILDINGS These lie mainly to the south of the Tithe Barn and provide winter loose housing for cattle around an open yard. The principal building is 80‘ x 36‘ and of steel frame with low profile pressed tin roof of goose wing grey colour.
THE LAND This is divided into 3 paddocks and all are bounded by stone walling or mature hedges. The largest is just under 2 acres and lies to the front of the house, adjoining is a small turn-out paddock with a concrete hard-standing. The third paddock is to the north of the farmstead and is just over half an acre; this has a number of fine mature trees and direct access on to the lane.
ADDITIONAL LAND An area of land of up to 5 acres immediately adjoining to the south could be available by separate negotiation. Note: the Sellers own and farm all the adjoining land.
LOCATION Doulting is a small and vibrant village 20 miles south of Bath and about 2 miles east of Shepton Mallet and has a primary school, village hall and church. The parish church of St Aldhelm‘s has regular services and community events; its fine spire dominates the skyline. The river Sheppy rises at St Aldhelm‘s Holy Well and the water is held by some to have healing properties. The nearest pub, the Poachers Pocket, is just over half a mile away in the nearby hamlet of Chelynch. The local towns of Shepton Mallet, Frome and Wells all have a comprehensive range of shopping and leisure facilities.
Charlton House Hotel with restaurant and Spa is less than a mile and Babington House, the renowned private members country club is about 7 miles. Bruton is also just 7 miles to the south and is renowned for its schools and more recently the opening of the gallery and arts centre of Hauser & Werth Somerset.
Communication links are excellent with Bath and Bristol within commuting distance with the A303, A36 and M4 and M5 all within easy reach. Access by rail is found locally with stations at Frome, Bath, and Castle Cary (7 miles with Paddington approximately 100 minutes).
EDUCATION The village has a modern Voluntary Aided church primary school; it currently has around 200 children on the roll. An excellent variety of schools can be found in the area to suit all abilities and interests, with All Hallows, Cranmore (2 miles away), Bruton, (Kings, Sexeys and Bruton School for Girls), Millfield, Street, Wells Cathedral and Blue School.
RECREATION Tourist attractions such as Longleat, Bath, Stourhead, and Stonehenge are a short distance away, with the Devon and Dorset Coast also within easy reach. Golf can be played locally at Orchardleigh, Wells and Mendip Golf Clubs, whilst National Hunt racing is within easy reach at Wincanton and Exeter, with flat racing at Bath and Salisbury. The rolling Somerset countryside provides a variety of leisure pursuits with horse riding, hunting, walking and cycling well catered for with diving, dry ski slopes, swimming and outdoor pursuits all available on the Mendip Hills. The immediate locality provides fantastic out riding, with a network of quiet lanes and bridleways. The local Pony Club is the Wylye Valley, or the South and West Wilts and there is a busy calendar of equestrian events to suit all disciplines and abilities.
Property Features :
- Five Bedrooms
- Four Bedroom Unoccupied Wing
- Farmhouse Kitchen with Aga
- Outstanding Views
- Traditional Courtyard Buildings