Magnificent West Country mansion features a grand double staircase, stone-paved floors, and lavish oak-paneled walls, also including a swimming pool and games room.
Nestled in the rolling parkland of south Somerset, Avishays House stands as a distinguished Grade II*-listed property with a rich medieval heritage. The 90-acre estate, located near Chaffcombe, boasts five houses, paddocks, woodland, and other amenities that reflect its significant historical and architectural value.
The manor house, dating back to medieval times, is currently on the market for approximately £5.75 million. With its grandeur and extensive grounds, Avishays House is among the largest rural estates in Somerset, showcasing its status as a major historic house.
The property's Grade II*-listing indicates its particular importance, and its architecture is noteworthy for its well-proportioned design and historic charm. The main house, built of brick with stone dressings, appears to be of the 18th century, but incorporates part of an earlier 17th-century house on its east side.
The charming coach house at Avishays offers guest accommodation and stables, with a further outbuilding converted into a separate games/snooker room. Another coach house has been renovated to include a wine cellar and a secure garage for classic cars.
Inside, Avishays offers spacious family accommodation, with a swirling, twisting double staircase, well-designed interiors, a galleried entrance hall, three main reception rooms, a study, a large kitchen/breakfast room, a master bedroom suite, and six further bedrooms, five with their own bathroom. An impressive leisure suite, comprising an indoor swimming pool, gym, and sauna, is accessible via a half landing on the back stair.
The grounds of Avishays are equally impressive, featuring a large walled garden to the south-east of the house, a tennis court, a lake, and woodland. If sold as a whole, the estate would include the additional land, some woodland, and five other properties, namely the East, West, and North lodges, plus two modern estate cottages.
Avishays House's history is as captivating as its architecture. In the early 1500s, the estate was held as a freehold under Chaffcombe manor before being sold in 1559 to John Browne of Frampton, Dorset. Over the centuries, the property changed hands many times before being sold to the current owners in 2017.
The main range was extended southwards and doubled in depth by the addition of new principal rooms behind a symmetrical west front of seven bays in 1745. More service rooms were added to the north in the 19th century.
The serene medieval parish of Chaffcombe, bounded by Knowle St Giles, Cudworth, Cricket St Thomas, and Chard, and has a market town called Chard to its west. On the hill to the east, there is a small embattled structure of the 19th century, known as The Castle (now the Monmouth Clock Tower, listed Grade II).
For those interested in owning a piece of English country house history, Avishays House presents an unparalleled opportunity. With its rich heritage, architectural charm, and extensive grounds, this Grade II*-listed property is a must-see for anyone seeking a unique and historic home.
[1] Historic England [2] Savills [3] Country Life
- For those seeking a blend of history, luxury, and investment opportunities, Avishays House presents an attractive choice in the real estate market, offering a chance to own a piece of English country house history.
- Given its substantial size, architectural significance, and prime location within the heart of the rolling south Somerset countryside, Avishays House could be an appealing lifestyle and home-and-garden project for prospective buyers, appealing to both historical enthusiasts and prospective investors.
