South Barrow, Somerset, BA22

Believed to be one of the oldest houses in the middle of this delightful village, Old Farm has a lovely position and stands on grounds of approximately an acre which look south across the gardens and fields beyond. The main house has a traditional thatch roof and exudes immense character with exposed beams and ham stone walls.

Upon entering the house it is clear to see that this property has been the subject of a significant programme of works. With an impressive attention to detail, the current owners have managed to enhance the original features whilst ensuring that this is now a home fit for the demands of modern day living. This is most notable in the fabulous dual aspect kitchen with bespoke cabinetry, granite worktops, a 2-plate oil-fired AGA (cream) and adjacent utility/laundry. Leading from the kitchen is the dining room, with original flagstone floors, inglenook fireplace and wood burner making it the perfect space for entertaining. Beyond the original hallway lies the family room, with parquet floors, original bread oven and wood burner providing a more informal living arrangement, perhaps as a playroom. However for those occasions when entertaining on a larger scale, the substantial and well-proportioned sitting room is ideal, with its centrally positioned fireplace with stone fire surround and wood burner. It is a wonderful, light-filled space with triple aspect windows and French doors providing easy access onto the south facing terrace for those warmer days. A spacious cloakroom with plenty of room for coats and boots completes the picture on the ground floor.

Stairs then rise from the hall to the first floor landing where there is a large open area, ideal for use as a study. There are four generous bedrooms in total, the principal of which sits at the front of the house, with dual aspect views and a large spacious ensuite bathroom. Three further double bedrooms are light and bright and share a family bathroom. With delightful views across the gardens from many of these rooms, this is clearly a house that is much loved and has benefitted enormously from the recent renovation works.

Along with the main house, the original stables and old chicken house have also had attention and been thoughtfully converted into a charming, completely independent one bedroom cottage. Built in local stone under a tiled roof, with an exceptionally spacious open-plan kitchen/sitting room with vaulted ceilings, features include wooden floors, exposed stonework, wood-burning stove and French doors which open onto a private terraced garden, perfect for those summer evenings. The fully equipped kitchen, with built in oven and electric hob, integrated fridge freezer and space for a kitchen island, lends itself to entertaining and whilst the building benefits from all modern conveniences, the owners have at the same time been sympathetic to its past, re-using the reclaimed roof tiles and cedar wood on the outside, allowing the building to effortlessly blend into its surroundings. Ideal for dependant relatives, the cottage is equally a lucrative asset and is currently let out for short term rentals generating significant income. The cottage at Old Farm has just been awarded a gold star as one of Skyes cottages top 32 countrywide holiday lets (out of 22 000).

The entrance to the property is off the lane, through a wooden five bar gate that leads onto a gravelled driveway with ample parking for several cars. Next to the main house and parking are various outbuildings along with access to the cottage.

The garden and grounds amount to approximately one acre, with the main garden extending out behind the house and cottage. Interspersed with a great variety of mature specimen trees, fruit trees and shrubberies, they are designed to be easily maintained, with an extensive lawned area. In addition, there is a well-established vegetable garden. Paved terraces extend behind the house and cottage so that each building has its own private outside area.

The countryside around South Barrow has changed little in recent decades. Dairy farming predominates and the green fields bounded by hedges and small areas of woodland provide a delightful environment through which quiet lanes gently wind their way. South Barrow is a charming hamlet, tucked away from main roads comprising mainly period houses and cottages built of the distinctive local stone, indigenous to the area. The market towns of Somerton and Castle Cary (described by the eminent historian, Sir Nikolaus Pevsner, as the prettiest town in South Somerset) are both within a short drive as are the larger centres of Yeovil and the Abbey town of Sherborne. Notwithstanding the unspoilt rural nature of the area, communications are extremely good. To the south the A303 is joined at Sparkford, within 2 miles away and the intercity mainline railway service to London Paddington takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes from Castle Cary.

EDUCATION
The area is particularly well known for its schools. Millfield and Millfield Prep are just outside Glastonbury, Hazlegrove is at Sparkford and the Sherborne, Bruton and Taunton schools, along with Downside, are all withing easy reach.

SPORTING AND RECREATION
Racing at Taunton, Exeter and Wincanton. Sailing and water sports on the world Heritage Jurassic coast or Bristol Channel or Sutton Bingham Reservoir. Golf at nearby Wheathill, Taunton and Yeovil. With both Cranborne Chase and Dorset Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty within easy reach there are extensive footpaths, bridleways and quiet lanes which offer superb opportunities for riding, walking and bicycling. Hauser & Wirth at Bruton and the Newt Estate are also nearby.