Somerton Offers Over £2,000,000

This Grade ll * listed property has been restored to an exceptional standard, retaining many period details complemented by appropriate contemporary appointments. The generous accommodation of over 5,000 sq ft (473 sq.ms.) includes 3 well-proportioned reception rooms (hall, drawing room & dining room), a sitting room, kitchen, scullery, utility room, cloakroom, cellars and on the first floor 5 excellent bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. On the second floor are 5 rooms which can be used as additional bedrooms, playrooms etc. In front of the house is a formal garden bounded by the original wrought iron Georgian railings, gate and gate piers. At the rear of the house is a beautiful courtyard leading to a rear drive, a coach house and gardens.

Somerton is within easy reach of the surrounding towns including Glastonbury and Street to the north, Castle Cary to the east and Yeovil to the south. It’s a small thriving town with good restaurants, many independent shops, lots of sporting, social and other clubs and associations and a friendly community. Cow Square is possibly the prime residential area which comprises many beautiful period buildings and is close to the historic church and within a conservation area.

Donisthorpe House is a handsome Georgian building built of local stone cut and squared, with Ham stone dressings. The front roof has double Roman clay tiles behind a parapet between coped gables. There are brick end chimney stacks and a rear slated roof. The very attractive front elevation has sash windows in architraved surrounds, with a central upper window having an arched head. The front door is protected by a stone portico with Doric columns.

The property has been the subject of extensive restoration and improvement works completed in consultation with the Council conservation department. These have covered wiring and plumbing, high quality appointments, repair works as necessary and decoration. Original retained details include flagstone floors, window shutters, sash windows, fireplaces, fitted cupboards (kitchen and scullery), oak, elm and pine timberwork and fine plasterwork with cornices and central roses. Enhancements include a zinc Georgian bath, Perrine and Rowe taps, hand made pewter wall lanterns (available separately), Bromleys hand-made aged brass light switches, Catchpole and Rye sanitary goods and cast-iron radiators.

The massive front door opens into a large reception hall with a gently rising staircase. The hall has doors to the two well proportioned reception rooms. The drawing room has a fireplace with a marble surround and is flanked by two alcoves. On the opposite side of the hall is the dining room. This also has a fireplace with a wood burning stove. A door leads from the dining room into the kitchen which has bespoke fitted units with storage, a Belfast sink and concealed fridge and dishwasher. There’s an (18 month old) electric Aga with a side module and a rare Georgian oven. Adjacent is the scullery (or Butler’s pantry) with restored original storage shelved cupboard, Belfast sink and other storage units.

A door from the kitchen leads to a side hall and to a comfortable sitting room with a large fireplace with a wood burning stove and a staircase. This leads to a bedroom and an en suite shower room. Also on the ground floor is an inner hall, utility room, cloakroom and a cellar with wine bins.

A fine staircase leads from the hall to the main first floor where there are four excellent bedrooms and 2 excellent bathrooms. There’s also a back stairs which leads down to the kitchen. A further staircase leads to the second floor where there are 5 rooms suitable as bedrooms, playrooms, studies etc.

The neat front garden is bounded by wrought iron railings, gate and gate piers. These are believed to be late Georgian and a rare example of fine workmanship. They include plain waisted and collared spikes, with leaf curls to bases to exclude small animals. There are thick braced standards with urn finials and the gate piers have scroll open- work and an ornate matching gate. Outside the railings is a roadway with part owned by the property and used for private parking – in addition to the extensive rear parking.

The rear courtyard is a delight with high stone wall, flagstones and a reclaimed French water fountain. Beyond the courtyard is the rear drive, approached through electric controlled high solid timber gates. The evergreen drive (mainly laurel) leads to a large, gravelled courtyard, with plenty of parking, flanked by a large coach house with storerooms and a garden room. This opens to a delightful walled garden, mainly lawned with flower beds and mature trees and shrubs.

Freehold. Grade 1l* listed. Mains services. Gas central heating. Council Tax Band E, South Somerset Borough.

Somerton was an important town in Roman times eventually became the capital of Wessex. It’s now a thriving Market Town in the heart of Somerset yet with easy road access via the A303 road a few miles south and the main line rail station at Castle Cary. Somerton provides a wide range of local services including a small supermarket, Doctors Surgery, Library, Butchers, Newsagent, Chemist and Post Office. Close by are other small towns including Street, Glastonbury, Wells, Castle Cary, Yeovil and Sherborne whilst Bristol, Bath and Taunton are also within easy reach.

There are excellent state and independent schools locally which include a well-respected primary school in Somerton and secondary schools (and 6th form college) in Street and Huish Episcopi. Independent schools include, Millfield (at Street & Glastonbury), Wells Cathedral, Downside, All Hallows and the schools at Bruton and Sherborne. There are lots of good restaurants and pubs in the town and surrounding villages, and most sporting, cultural and social requirements can be met.

Roderick Thomas, their clients and any joint agents state that these details are for general guidance only and accuracy cannot be guaranteed. They do not constitute any part of any contract. All measurements are approximate and floor plans are to give a general indication only and are not measured accurate drawings. No guarantees are given with regard to planning permission or fitness for purpose. No apparatus, equipment, fixture or fitting has been tested. Items shown in photographs are not necessarily included. Buyers must rely on information passed between the solicitors with regard to items included in the sale. Purchasers must satisfy themselves on all matters by inspection or otherwise.