Bowlish is a charming hamlet, with a very strong community only 0.6 miles from Shepton Mallet and consists mainly of interesting Grade II* and Grade II period houses and cottages, of which Old Bowlish House is a most notable example. It is mentioned in Pevsner. The property has also featured in Period House and Period Living magazines. Bowlish is also within close proximity of independent schools such as Millfield, Wells Cathedral, King's Bruton, Downside and All Hallows, as well as many other boarding schools within a short distance.

Old Bowlish House, a member of Historic Houses, was built around 1630 and was modernised in the Georgian period around 1735 and in the Victorian period around 1860. The front part of the house is Georgian in character, and Jacobean at the back. It is attached to one side but it really does not take away from this stunning house. The beautifully presented rooms with original features are well proportioned and include tall shuttered windows, ornate ceiling cornices, period fireplaces, panelled doors and panelling to dado height. In the staircase hall, a magnificent Jacobean wide oak central staircase with decorative carved scroll work rises to the first and second floors each with a mezzanine level. There are flagstone and polished wood floors. The stunning front south facing elevation is Palladian in design.

The present owners purchased the property in 2005 and have sensitively renovated the interior, exterior and redesigned the gardens using traditional methods and finishes wherever possible. Today the property is very much a family house with a warm and friendly atmosphere, and the reception hall with internal Georgian fanlight, the drawing room and the dining room are all elegant rooms. The accommodation is arranged over three main and two mezzanine floors, with large landings. In the rear hall, stone steps lead down to the vaulted cellar.

The pretty little one bedroom attached stone cottage can be accessed either through the beautiful gardens or from the lane.

Old Bowlish House is approached to the west through double timber electric gates giving access to a parking area. The gardens are a delight and planned in 'five rooms'. They are designed for year around colour and texture. The front garden is formally designed with large beds bordered with box hedging inset with flowering plants. The boundary front stone wall is surmounted by railings and is adorned by established Wisteria.

Immediately outside the snug is the 'sunken' private courtyard garden facing south and west with raised stone beds planted with a variety of shrubs, lavender, climbing roses and a water feature.

Stone steps lead to a lawn pathway through the stunning south facing garden with a deep herbaceous border, ornamental shrubs, roses, on one side and a well stocked bed on the other side of the lawn pathway, set against a striking backdrop of a tall stone ruin. An archway in the ruin leads into a gravel 'room' open to the sky with a gravel and stone paved base interspersed with miniature balls of topiary, shrubs and plants. A further archway leads into a second walled 'room' open to the sky with level lawn surrounded by mature shrubs, and mature trees including Magnolia, Silver Birch, and Liquidambar

The cottage, which lies to the east on the perimeter of the garden, can either be accessed from the main garden or from the lane.

An inner courtyard lies outside the kitchen

Shepton Mallet 0.6 miles | Castle Cary Rail Station 9 miles | Bristol Airport 21 miles | Bristol City Centre 19 miles | Wells 5 miles | Bath 18 miles
(All distances approximate)