4 bedroom detached house

This handsome detached Grade II-listed house sits in the middle of Somerset’s rolling countryside. Originally a farmhouse, it has undergone meticulous restoration over the years, resulting in a beautifully refined home surrounded by a thoughtfully designed landscaped garden and orchard set on approximately 0.66 acres. Nestled at the end of a Hidcote lavender-lined path, the façade of the house is defined by a beautiful bloom of climbing roses. Unfolding across more than 2,000 sq ft, it comprises four good-sized bedrooms and a separate study on the ground floor. While Historic England suggests that the house was constructed in the 18th century, certain internal details hint at even earlier origins.

Setting the Scene

Built with red Flemish bond brick and topped by a clay-tiled roof, the house has a well-balanced façade punctuated by casement windows with leaded window panes. The front door, positioned at the end of the path leading from the front gate, is a simple boarded wooden door complemented by an open timber porch.

Historic England listed the property in 1985 when it was in a state of disrepair, overgrown with ivy, and neglected. However, around 20 years ago, the house was rescued and an extensive and painstaking restoration project ensued. This included the addition of a sympathetic rear extension to accommodate a kitchen and utility room and replacing all the windows with faithful replicas of the timber mullioned originals. Each room has been finished with a carefully chosen colour palette, with hues such as the womb-like ‘Picture Gallery Red’ by Farrow and Ball in the sitting room and the airy ‘Bath Stone’ by Little Greene in the study. The house also benefits from mains electricity and water services, septic tank drainage, and oil fired central heating from a newly installed boiler.

The current owners have continued the tradition of repair and restoration in the garden. It has been thoughtfully designed and cultivated with a well-planned layout, including fruit trees, raised vegetable beds, and a wildflower meadow, creating a harmonious outdoor space that complements the house’s charm. For more information, please see the History section.

The Grand Tour

The front door opens into a lovely hallway with a blue Lias stone floor. To one side of the hallway is a charming sitting room, warmed by a wood-burning stove nestled in a deep brick inglenook at the gable end. The room retains its original features, including a bressummer beam running along its length and a substantial wooden lintel above the inglenook. The attractive wooden floorboards add to the room’s character, and beneath the window, a romantic window seat creates a cosy spot to relax—a detail found throughout the house.

The dining room is at the heart of the plan, painted in the timeless ‘Middle Buff’ by Little Greene, which complements the original stone floors. Another inglenook takes centre stage here, this time with an open fireplace. A door from the dining room leads to a lovely study, a calm and quiet space with pretty garden views and, once again, a window seat.

The kitchen has off-white cabinetry juxtaposed with dark granite worktops and a large butler sink. A black Rangemaster cooker sits at one end of the kitchen, accompanied by a Rangemaster fridge and an integrated freezer and dishwasher. Smart fitted plate racks, a combination of cupboards and open shelving, and terracotta tiled floors complete the space. Tongue and groove panelling has been applied to the walls. The kitchen window frames lovely garden views, and a gap in the farmer’s hedge provides a picturesque glimpse of the neighbouring field. Opposite the kitchen is a convenient utility space equipped with a second butler sink and ample room for a washing machine. An external door between the kitchen and utility room opens directly onto a patio area and the garden. There is also a guest WC on this floor.

A staircase ascends from the dining room, leading to the upper floor, with four generously sized bedrooms, three of which share a well-appointed bathroom. In the hallway, wide floorboards run underfoot, and the overhead beams have been painted in a neutral white hue. Each bedroom has been uniquely decorated, featuring a distinct colour palette. In the central bedroom, an alcove beside the chimney breast has been transformed into bookshelves. A bedroom at the far end of the plan is en suite, whilst the bedroom at the opposite end is complete with a washbasin.

The Great Outdoors 

The house is enveloped by a beautiful garden, which has a flourishing orchard, expanded by the current owners. The orchard now has crab apple trees, wild cherry trees, and an assortment of other fruit trees, adding to the natural beauty of the surroundings. Privacy is created by a beech hedge, while a majestic maple tree adds shade. Next to the house, a charming kitchen garden is enclosed by estate fencing, lined with a row of pleached russet apple trees and complete with a greenhouse.

The gable end of the house has been painted in a terracotta-coloured lime wash, a product of Francesca’s Paint—an eco-friendly paint manufacturer known for their richly pigmented hues. A gravel driveway and a spacious double garage add parking space for multiple cars.

Out and About

The picturesque market town of Ilminster is less than four miles away and hosts its own weekly market, as well as a plethora of independent shops. Slightly further afield, Langport had two excellent bakeries, a butcher, a weekly farmers’ market, and a pretty café on the river. The towns of Crewkerne and Wellington both have more shopping facilities, as well as a Waitrose, whilst three miles from the house is a popular pub, The Bell, in the village of Broadway. The village of Barrington is home to the excellent Barrington Boar bar and restaurant. Only 30 minutes from the house is Somerton, with its lively High Street, renowned antique shops and brilliant White Heart pub.

Nearby, Bruton has excellent dining options, including the Michelin-starred Osip, The Old Pharmacy, At the Chapel, The Newt and Roth Bar and Grill at the must-visit Hauser and Wirth gallery. For the home chefs, pick up fresh ingredients at Durslade Farm Shop. In the village of Batcombe, Margot Henderson’s recently opened The Three Horseshoes, adding to the excellent dining options in the area.

For adventures in nature, Branscombe Beach at Seaton is reachable in under an hour by car. Branscombe is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Jurassic coastline and is part of the Southwest Coast Path for walking routes.

There is an excellent choice of independent schools for boys and girls of all ages, including Hazlegrove Prep School, Sherborne School, Taunton School, Kings College, Queen’s College and King’s Hall. Other well-known schools in the area include Millfield and Blundell’s, all within driving distance.

Transport links are very good, with major cities including Exeter city centre 40 miles away, and Bath an hour and a half away. Bristol airport is less than an hour’s drive from the house, whilst the nearest M5 junction is just nine miles away. Taunton train station is less than 25 minutes’ drive from Ashill, with direct mainline services to London Paddington taking one hour and 40 minutes. Alternatively, central London can be reached by car, via the M3, in around three hours.

Council Tax Band: G