8 bedroom house

This is a rare find. A wonderful Georgian house which is truly unspoilt, with its exquisite Georgian interior architecture intact; high ceilings, cornicing, wide panelled doors, tall sash windows with shutters, large fireplaces, oak floorboards and blue lias flagstones. The large, square proportioned rooms are all beautifully light, with tall windows framing fabulous and far-reaching views.



The Old Rectory is next to a C14th church, St George’s, and was the home of the Rector until the 1960s. It has some history of note in that Saint John Newman,  recently canonised, was known to stay here in the 1850s when visiting his friend, the Rev Richard Church, who went on to become Dean of St Paul’s.  



The house has a handsome façade of typical Georgian symmetry, a central front door with stone pediment, flanked by tall sash windows.  The front door opens to a lovely flagstoned hall and is directly aligned with the terrace door at the back, giving a clear view all the way through.  The central hall leads to four reception rooms: a beautiful sitting room, with an oak floor, open fire, and tall sash windows framing exceptional views; a lovely morning room, with French doors to the rear south-facing terrace that benefits from the sun all day, oak floor, marble fireplace, recessed cupboards and shelves; an elegant dining room, also with French doors to the terrace, marble fireplace, recessed cupboards and pine floor; and a library, a beautiful, refined room with custom-made bookshelves, an open fire and stunning views.  A jib door in the corner leads to a rear lobby with a cloakroom and a door to outside – handily opposite a log store. The house is thought to have been built in the late 1700s/early 1800s, with the kitchen being in an older, 17th century part, which most likely originally housed animals.  This double height room has masses of character with exposed ceiling trusses and two little windows high up, and an unusual arched shaped doorway and window.  Floor to ceiling windows with French doors opening out to far reaching countryside run along one side.  A white AGA and pale grey cabinetry add to the fresh, light feel of this room.  There is a central island as well as copious space for a large table and chairs.  The arched door leads to a lobby/bootroom area, with doors to the terrace and the drive, and a separate utility room.



From the hall, a traditional turned staircase rises to the first floor where a spacious and light landing leads to four exceptional size bedrooms and a family shower room.  Halfway up the stairs a tall arched window, with shutters, frames the south lawn.  The master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and two of the bedrooms have wash basins.  The bedrooms all have fireplaces, oak floors and sash windows with shutters and lovely views.



Upstairs again to the top floor, a further landing leads to four more bedrooms in the eaves, two with fireplaces and all with far reaching views.  There is also a bathroom with a roof light, and a box-room which once was a kitchen.

 Blue lias steps lead down to the stone cellars.  Natural light comes in from ground level windows.  There is plenty of storage space and ample room for a table-tennis table, a sink and a brick wine store. The boiler is situated here.





Outside

The land extends to ten acres, consisting of pasture and woodland, an apple orchard and productive vineyards of Madeleine Angevin and Seyval Blanc grapes (providing 300-500 bottles annually). There is a tennis court, a large two storey agricultural barn with a workroom/office on the side, wood/tractor sheds and a greenhouse. A secret walled garden has been left to ‘re-wild’ and a second walled garden is laid to lawn.



Along the back of the house, a south east facing stone terrace is the perfect place for a summer lunch outside, and steps lead down to a lawn with a beautiful magnolia tree, and then through to a secondary area of vines and some soft fruit.



There are two public footpaths crossing the land on the north west side of the house beyond the ha-ha.



Currently the Old Rectory is approached via impressive stone entrance pillars at the start of the drive which is shared with three other properties.  There is potential to create a long, sweeping private drive through the grounds to arrive at the imposing front of the house.



(The Old Rectory is link attached, in the corner by the boot room, to the neighbouring property, formerly the coachhouse, Vineyard Cottage).





Situation 

The village of Whatley lies about 5km West of Frome, one of Somerset’s most fashionable market towns and recently featured in the Sunday Times as the best place to live in Somerset. The town has a comprehensive choice of retail outlets and all the usual amenities. Founded in 2013, the “Frome Independent” is an award-winning independent street market that is held on the first Sunday of every month and attracts 80,000 people a year.



There are various footpaths, Asham Woods and a bridleway to the nearby village of Mells. The Macmillan Way, a long-distance path, passes through the neighbouring village of Chantry and there are ample opportunities for walking and cycling along converted railway lines and alongside the Mells river.



Local amenities include Babington House, (Soho House’s country mansion), the Hauser And Wirth Art Gallery and Roth Bar in Bruton, and the Talbot Inn, a village shop and a post office all 5 minutes away in Mells.



Local primary schools encompass Mells C of E first school, Leigh on Mendip first school and Stoke St Michael Primary. Independent schools include All Hallows, Downside and the Bath schools: Prior Park, Monkton Combe and King Edwards.



Transport links are good with a railway station in Frome that connects to Westbury and from there, to London Paddington or the South West.  



Directions  

(BA11 3LA)



Once in the village, with St George’s Church on your left-hand side, turn left c300m after the church, where you will see tall stone pillars flanking the entrance to a drive.  Follow the drive straight ahead and you will come to The Old Rectory.



Services

Mains electricity and water, oil, private drainage



Council Tax

Band G



Local Authority 

Mendip Council



Tenure 

Freehold



EPC rating 

Exempt



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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