The Old Rectory

The Old Rectory is an exceptional Georgian residence set in magnificent grounds on the edge of Pylle, a pretty village in the heart of Somerset. Dating from 1827 and encompassing a wealth of period features, it has been subject to a highly successful and extensive renovation program that has truly redefined luxurious living in Somerset. Situated entirely within its own land, it enjoys sensational views of the Somerset countryside, and offers complete privacy and seclusion. The estate comes with a pretty gardener’s cottage, a tennis court and a fine array of outbuildings with potential for redevelopment.



The house is approached via a private drive that runs beneath a glorious canopy of mature trees and culminates in a parking area to the east of the house. The front door is housed beneath a magnificent pillared porchway and opens to a welcoming reception hall. A woodburning stove situated within a fine chimney breast warms the room and looks out over solid oak floors that extend throughout much of the ground floor. Off the hall lie three beautifully proportioned reception rooms. The drawing room features a wood burning stove and the dining room has a working open fireplace, both framed by exquisite marble surrounds, and magnificent bay windows (complete with working shutters), making the most of sensational views of the landscape. The library is elegantly furnished with integrated book shelves that run from the floor to the ceiling, and its own wood burning stove. With well proportioned, high ceilings outlined with detailed cornicing and fine oak boards underfoot, these luxurious rooms offer the opportunity to entertain in style.



The main hall gives way to an inner hallway with access to a family room, a study and a charming cloakroom with original glazed cupboards that line one wall – there is also a separate WC. These rooms are more informal but no less impressive. The study is comfortable and lit with recessed lighting whilst the family room comes with a TV built into the wall and doors that open to the garden.



In 2011, an orangerie style extension was added to the original house and is now home to a beautiful kitchen /dining area that sets this house apart. The kitchen itself features an electric three oven aga with two oven module that sits amidst bespoke hand-crafted units which extend beneath elegant Corian worktops. An oversized island comes with a multitude of drawers and cupboards, its own sink and doubles up as a breakfast bar. A walk in ‘cold room’ functions as the ideal fridge, and two integrated Fisher and Paykel dish-drawers along with a boiling water tap and a convenient pot-filler add the finishing touches. A magnificent ‘skylight’ allows natural light to pour into the room and augments a fabulous French limestone floor. Perhaps most impressively, this space more than succeeds in capitalising on the sensational views of the gardens and countryside with two sets of fully glazed doors that open to the terraces outside.



Immediately adjacent to the kitchen is a perfectly positioned utility room complete with timber worktops, two integrated full height freezers and ample space for a washing machine and tumble dryer.



Off the main hall are steps discreetly hidden behind a door that run down to a dry and spacious cellar/plant room, and a further rear hall/boot room allows access to the back of the house.



A magnificent staircase rises from the main hall to the first floor comprising an elegant landing area and six bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. Every bedroom has been tastefully furnished giving each its own, individual character. One comes with a stand-alone claw foot bath tub, another with a ‘secret’ interlocking door. The principal bedroom suite provides elegant comfort, and its en suite bathroom encompasses a bateaux style bath and a shower that is also a steam room. All the bathrooms variously feature oversized showers, heated chrome towel rails, twin washbasins, ‘Fired Earth’ sanitaryware and premium fixtures and fittings. The views from all these rooms are breath taking. Of particular note is a charming secondary staircase that descends from the landing area to the inner hall.



Outside

The grounds and gardens are simply magnificent. Immediately adjacent to the house is a seasoned stone terrace defined by an ornamental balustrade that looks over formal gardens and well-manicured lawns to the north; aged stone steps cascade through the lawns to pretty gravelled walkways lined with lavender. A majestic wisteria embellishes the south facade of the house that overlooks a gravelled driveway leading to a discreet parking area with space for several cars. Further afield, a fabulous Victorian walled garden provides shelter to a number of raised beds, and a hard tennis court offers year round entertainment. A collection of mature cedar trees to the south provide the picture-perfect backdrop to this magnificent house. Beyond the estate rail fencing at the edge of the gardens, and mostly to the south and west, is the remaining agricultural land that makes up 27 acres in all.



The Gardener’s Cottage

Situated in a secluded part of the grounds is a recently renovated 2 bed cottage currently used by the Caretaker. The ground floor constitutes a spacious sitting room with wood burner and wooden floors. The kitchen is well-equipped with an array of units, an integrated hob and extractor fan and space for a washing machine and dishwasher. Off the kitchen is a utility room and cloakroom. Upstairs are two good sized bedrooms and a bathroom with a shower unit above the bath tub. Adjacent to a pretty lawn and alongside the cottage is a workshop and covered space ideal to keep garden machinery.



The Barns

Also in the grounds are three period barns currently used as storage facilities. With the relevant planning consent, these offer significant potential for redevelopment.



Another existing outbuilding already has planning consent for a home office.



Summary

With impeccable Georgian heritage and as the subject of a transformative renovation project, The Old Rectory is certainly one of the finest houses in Somerset. The attention to detail throughout the house is nothing short of remarkable – the kitchen, designed by Plain English Design Ltd is superb whilst light fittings by Forbes & Lomax complement paintwork by ‘Farrow and Ball’ and ‘Paint and Paper Library’. Other luxurious touches include underfloor heating that has been installed beneath tiled floors both upstairs and downstairs. This is a grand house, but one that retains an atmosphere of informality, ideally suited to family life in rural Somerset.



Situation

The Old Rectory is perfectly positioned entirely in its own land and on the edge of Pylle, a pretty village in the heart of Somerset. It is completely private and enjoys sensational views of the Somerset countryside. The village boasts a pretty church, a village hall, a petrol station and famously, Jon Thorner’s farmshop. Close by is Ditcheat, a very popular village and well known as home to Paul Nicholls’s racing stables and Barber’s Farmhouse Cheese. It also has a good local pub, The Manor Inn. Local shopping can be found in nearby Castle Cary and Bruton, home to the now famous Hauser and Wirth gallery, and Osip, a Michelin starred restaurant. Also close is ‘The Newt’ “one of the most exceptional country house hotels Britain has seen” according to the telegraph. The gardens are open to the public and allow visitors to walk in the amazing wooded landscape and eat in the various restaurants there. Other local attractions include Stourhead Gardens, Babington House, (Soho House’s country mansion) and Longleat Safari Park.



Schools

The area is renowned for its excellent schools and include the well-regarded prep schools of All Hallows and Hazlegrove, the Bruton schools, Millfield, Downside and the Sherborne schools. Local state schools include Ansford Academy, Sexeys Bruton and the Blue school in Wells.



Transport links are excellent with Castle Cary railway station providing direct services to London Paddington and London Waterloo. The A303 to the South links to London and the wider motorway network whilst the A36, M4 and M5 are all within easy reach. The historic cities of Bath and Wells are both within a 45 minute drive.



Services

Mains Water, mains electricity, private drainage



Local Authority:Mendip District Council, Cannard’s Grave Road, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 5BT



Directions

Postcode : BA4 6TE

What three words: hilltop.symphonic.ants



From Shepton Mallet, take the A37 South towards Yeovil. Follow the A37 until reaching Pylle Lane and turn right – continue until reaching the church and take the next left onto Pylle Hill – the entrance to the old rectory is on the right hand side.



EPC - D



Viewing by appointment only



Every care has been taken with the preparation of these details, in accordance with the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, but complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. If there is any point, which is of particular importance to you, please obtain professional confirmation. Alternatively, we will be pleased to check the information. These details do not constitute a contract or part of a contract. All measurements quoted are approximate. Photographs are provided for general information and cannot be inferred that any item shown is included in the sale. The fixtures, fittings & appliances have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. No guarantee can be given with regard to planning permissions or fitness for purpose. Energy Performance Certificates are available on request.



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