Old Rectory

Positioned centrally in a private, south-facing setting with lovely views towards Exmoor, Old Rectory is a truly fascinating property, whose story began in the mid-16th century as a Tudor-era hall house. The house was extensively altered and enlarged in the early to mid-19th century with its attendant outbuildings remodelled as well. It has nicely proportioned rooms, good head height and tall, wide windows that make the most of the southerly views. Each stage of its journey through time is reflected in alterations to the house's architecture and fittings, all of which are still present. This can be seen in the Georgian fittings in the drawing room, the Art Deco fittings in the dining room and the Arts & Crafts fireplace in the morning room. The current owners have undertaken a wholescale and sympathetic refurbishment, governed by their love for preserving period detail. Many wonderful details were uncovered during the refurbishment including the vaulted ceiling of the Tudor hall and a set of double doors between the dining and morning rooms. Original features are everywhere and include an elegant main staircase, coving, ceiling roses, fireplaces, parquet flooring and picture rails. Unsurprisingly the house is Grade II listed.
In summary Old Rectory has a homely feel combined with a feeling of light and space. The way that the house is used has changed over time with the rear of the house now mainly used to gain entry as it is closest to the property's parking. The original front faced south and therefore the reception hall, all three reception rooms and the kitchen are laid out in a linear fashion and face south too. The house can be divided to create a generously sized, self-contained annexe with two bedrooms (the galley kitchen has been created for this purpose). Should this be desired the necessary lockable doorways are already in place. In addition, at the rear of the house is a cosy, self-contained guest annexe.

Outbuildings & garden
Old Rectory is approached off the village lane via timber gates to an extensive, gently sloping tarmac parking area, with a path leading down to an L-shaped veranda at the rear of the house. Alongside the veranda are a paved terrace and a lawn fringed with rose borders and a working well at its centre. On the other side of the parking area are two coach houses, a gig house and a stable encompassing two loose boxes, two stalls and an integral tack room. On one side is a garden store leading through to a lean-to greenhouse and walled kitchen garden. Between the kitchen garden and the house is a cobbled yard. Most of the garden extends out from the south side of the house, where there is a paved terrace leading onto a level lawn planted with a magnificent holm oak. To one side of the lawn are a well, pond, summerhouse and a shaded seating area beneath the boughs of a mature Norwegian maple. Beyond the lawn is a mixed orchard and a holy well beside what is thought to be a full-immersion baptism pool. The garden is very private and is bounded by high stone walls and mature trees.

Old Rectory is situated in the small and highly sought-after village of Wootton Courtenay, which is within the Exmoor National Park and on the Macmillan Way West and the Celtic Way footpaths. The village has excellent amenities with a parish church, restaurant, hall and village shop/post office and there is a GP's surgery and primary school (Ofsted rated 2 (Good)) in neighbouring Dunster. The nearby town of Minehead provides most day-to-day requirements with a good selection of shops and local businesses including a nurse-led community hospital. The county town of Taunton is also within easy reach. For transport links, the M5 is within a reasonable driving distance, Taunton has regular rail services to Bristol Temple Meads (52 minutes) and Paddington (1 hour 39 minutes) and both Exeter and Bristol airports are about an hour's drive away. There is also an excellent range of schooling available from both the state and i

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