Nether Stowey,Taunton, Somerset, TA5

Stowey Court is a substantial and historic Grade II Listed country house surrounded by magnificent gardens and grounds. At present it is a muchloved family home but given its size, layout and superb position it has enormous potential for other uses such as a boutique hotel or wedding venue. The house dates originally from the early 15th century and has a long and fascinating history. It is suggested that its first owner, James Tuchet, 7th Baron Audley, used stone from long-lost Stowey Castle to start building the house, but it was left unfinished after his execution in 1497 for taking part in the Cornish Rebellion against the rule of King Henry VII. It was later bequeathed to Edward Seymour, brother of Jane Seymour, by King Henry VIII when Seymour was appointed Duke of Somerset in 1547. It went on to become the home of Lord Beaverbrook in the 1940s, Winston Churchill's Minister of Aircraft Production during World War II. Today the stone fireplace in the drawing room still bears the marks where the prime minister was wont to stub out his cigars when visiting Beaverbrook. The house is positioned on the eastern side of the village and stands in over seven and a half acres of beautiful grounds, standing beside the parish church with miles of unspoilt, open countryside beyond. The property is built of stone covered with painted render and has stone mullion windows and a tiled roof. Stowey Court has undergone an extensive programme of refurbishment over recent years and today it is beautifully presented. The main part of the house has four fantastic reception rooms plus a gorgeous kitchen/breakfast room on the ground floor with seven bedrooms and six bathrooms on the first floor. Part of the first floor and the second floor of one wing of the house can been adapted to create a self-contained three-bedroom maisonette if someone desired. Also contained within part of one wing of the house is an integral double garage and workshop.

Approached down a long tree lined drive, and through a stone archway into the large inner walled forecourt at the front of the house. This includes two lawns, one acting as a turning circle, an ornamental pond and a range of stone outbuildings with arched, brick ceilings. In the north eastern corner you have an early Georgian orangery. In the eastern wall you have a private gate for access to the church. To the rear via a medieval archway through the walled courtyard you will enter the formal gardens, largely lawned with circular ornamental pond and fountain. There is a large greenhouse and at the north eastern corner approached by a curved stone staircase stands a beautiful, two storey gazebo built in the early 18th century. Beyond are three large carp ponds dating from the Medieval period, three stew (or washing) ponds, woodland, large paddock surrounding the churchyard of the parish church and containing recently built, high quality stabling, tack room and barn storage.

Stowey Court is situated on the edge of the large village of Nether Stowey in the foothills of the Quantock Hills AONB (area of outstanding natural beauty). The village's most famous resident was the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who lived in the village between 1797 and 1799 and it was here that he was inspired to write some of his finest work. Today it is a thriving community with two pubs, parish church, several shops, GP surgery and a primary school. The bustling market town of Taunton about 15 minutes away by car and has a wide selection of shops and local businesses. The area has a wide choice of schools for children of all ages from both the state and independent sectors. This includes three CofE primary schools within a three-mile radius and a selection of independent schools including King's and Queen's Colleges in Taunton, Millfield and Blundells. There is good access to transport links too. The main line station in Taunton offers fast trains to London, due to arrive at Paddington within an hour and forty-five minutes. Junction 24 on
the M5, A38, A358 and A39 are all nearby and easily accessible. In addition, Bristol and Exeter Airports are both only about an hour's drive away and offer flights to various UK and international destinations. The property benefits from being surrounded by a wealth of local footpaths and bridleways leading to superb moorland, woodland walking and riding on the Quantock Hills and is within easy distance of the West Somerset coast and the Cornish coastal path. Exmoor National Park with its dramatic moorland, wooded valleys, and abundant wildlife, is within easy reach for outdoor enthusiasts.