North Street, Castle Cary, Somerset

THE AGENT SAYS…
Believed to owe its name to the stone pineapples atop its walls, The Pines is a most handsome example of classic Georgian architecture with its pleasing symmetrical facade and beautifully proportioned light-filled rooms. This expansive 5 bedroom property boasts 4 reception rooms which include a traditional drawing room, beautiful dining room and atmospheric study/library. Decorated in beautiful rich colour, every room has its own distinctive character but complementing all others. The farmhouse kitchen is an inviting shade of yellow, the dining room a calming green that reflects the garden, and the drawing room is a sumptuous blue.

There are stunning period details throughout the property which include ornate cornices and moulding; picture and dado rails; flagstones; an elegant sweeping staircase; sash windows with shutters; and arched recesses and windows. Other notable features of the house include a wine cellar and a capacious larder in the scullery.

Balancing the huge amount of living accommodation are the expansive grounds which comprise manicured lawns and an area of woodland. Within the grounds are a kitchen garden with orchard, greenhouse, garden room, summerhouse and an outdoor swimming pool. There is also a separate field; a large stone outbuilding with a coach house, stables and tack room within; a garage; and additional small stores nearby.

THE PROPERTY
Ground Floor

The impressive entrance hall befits the grandeur of the house with its elegant sweeping staircase, flagstone floor and rich red walls. A large arched window above the turn in the stairs allows daylight to pour down into this inviting space.

The front of the house is divided into four rooms with two on either side of the hall. To the left is the informal sitting room which feels relaxed and cosy with an attractive fireplace and coal effect gas fire. This leads through to the atmospheric study with its superb library wall - surely a must-have in a house of this era.

On the right of the hall is the elegant formal drawing room, decorated in a stunning shade of blue which perfectly highlights the wonderfully ornate coving and the mouldings within the arched fireside alcoves. With its carefully curated mix and match furniture in warm wood tones with jewel coloured upholstery, this room typifies English country house style.

The adjoining dining room has wonderful light that washes over the rich green walls that so beautifully echo the colours in the garden view. Multiple arched alcoves in the walls add depth and frame the furniture and ornaments placed within. This large room has plenty of space to entertain and would be particularly stunning when decorated for Christmas. As an added bonus, this superb house even comes with its own wine cellar, tucked beneath the main staircase in the hall, just a short walk away.

Behind the stairs is a shower room before the hall turns across the house with doors at either end leading outside. At the rear of the house is the farmhouse kitchen which is simply finished with a run of wooden units, quarry tile floor, AGA, eye-level electric oven, and a large built-in pantry cupboard. Accessed from the neighbouring scullery is a traditional larder (for cool storage) that runs the length of the kitchen.

The scullery is a utilitarian space housing a large Belfast sink, washing machine and a traditional pulley maid clothes airer. This space is also used as an informal breakfast room. Behind the scullery is a boot room with adjoining workshop. There are also stairs from the scullery to the first floor.

First Floor

Upstairs there are 5 bedrooms which are all a great size, with bedrooms 1-4 being particularly generous. All of the rooms are lovely and light and those at the front and rear of the house enjoy a dual-aspect. The majority benefit from fitted storage (particularly plentiful in the cavernous principal bedroom) and bedrooms 3 & 4 have fireplaces. There are two bathrooms on this floor, the larger of which has plenty of storage with a huge airing cupboard and further built-in unit. Outside the smaller bathroom is the enclosed staircase that provides access to the huge attic rooms and storage spaces on the second floor.

GARDEN & GROUNDS
The Pines stands in an impressive 4.22 acres of grounds which have been landscaped and managed to provide a variety of different spaces. At the rear of the house is a formal manicured lawn with magnificent statuesque trees and a small formal pond. A path along the rear of the house leads to a garden room and store. Behind this main lawn there is a kitchen garden with an orchard, and beyond this are further extensive lawned gardens where the outdoor swimming pool and summerhouse are found. There is also a large field which is flat and regular in shape with an old outbuilding (believed to be 17th century). This field backs directly onto Lodge Hill.

The grounds on the other side of the driveway are wooded with mown pathways and tracks winding up and around the gentle gradient to a large pond that offers a shady and peaceful spot to sit and get away from it all.

At the front of the property tall double gates open to the long tarmac driveway which sweeps alongside the house, with a separate single gate providing pedestrian access to the rear hallway of the house and a small wrought iron gate leading across the front to the main entrance. At the end of the long driveway is a large stone outbuilding comprising a coach house, tack room and two stables, with a separate wood store. Behind this is a large timber garage/workshop.

SURROUNDING AREA
Castle Cary is an attractive bustling market town of glowing golden stone described by Nikolaus Pevsner, the eminent architectural historian, as Somerset's prettiest town. It is a haven of historic buildings and independent businesses (shops, boutiques and art galleries) with picture-perfect surrounding countryside. Dating back to 1855, The Market House remains the focal point of the town with a weekly market and other regular events. Local amenities include: nursery, primary and secondary schools; a health centre; dental practice; library; post office; deli; grocery stores; greengrocer; newsagent; chemist; pubs; and tea shops. There are large supermarkets just 15 minutes drive away in the towns of Wincanton and Shepton Mallet.

Other attractions include ‘The Newt in Somerset’ - a Georgian country estate offering beautiful countryside walks, a hotel and spa, farm shop, restaurants, and a home and garden shop. The fashionable town of Bruton is also close by and is home to Hauser & Wirth Somerset - a pioneering world-class art gallery.

There are excellent state schools in the area - Ansford Academy boasts outstanding exam grades - and independent schools include the Sherborne and Bruton schools, Millfield, Wells Cathedral, Hazelgrove and Port Regis. Castle Cary is a great location for commuters with a mainline railway station with a direct link to Paddington (90 min) situated on the edge of the town and the A303 trunk road within easy reach.

SERVICES
Mains water, drainage and electricity. Gas fired central heating. AGA

LOCAL AUTHORITY
South Somerset District Council - Band G

EPC Rating
N/A

AGENTS NOTE
Grade II *