Maperton, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9

Coming into the house from the pillared entrance portico is a large open hall which is used as a reception room with pillared arches and particularly useful for parties. In turn this leads through to the library. This boldly decorated room with its striking green marble chimneypiece and wallpaper that picks up the original yellow silk in the period glass fronted bookcases acts as a comfortable sitting room with French windows on to the garden. In turn this opens on to the gracious drawing room. This room measures over 30 ft long into a wonderful bay window which affords far reaching views over the gardens and grounds.

To the left of the library is the dining room which easily seats 20 people comfortably and in turn gives access to the conservatory as well as a swift way into the kitchen The kitchen and pantry are both fitted with Plain English joinery with all the seamless elegance one would wish for along with an electric AGA, inbuilt larder cupboards with smart Belgian bluestone shelving, wine fridge, masses of storage and a window seat. As you would expect from a house of this stature there is plenty of room to spread out with a cosy but generous TV room with inbuilt sound system and projector and study with floor to ceiling downlit shelving by Plain English.

The sweeping staircase opens onto a mezzanine floor that is home to a Pool table and makes for a great fun space off which is a further study. A huge wide corridor running along the length of the first floor with bedroom suites fanning out to each side. The principal bedroom suite is located through a set of double doors at the head of the corridor and enjoys some of the best views in the house.

All the bedrooms have their own smartly appointed adjoining bathrooms. The second floor is a perfect example of how to use the former attic bedrooms to brilliant effect. The owners have created a superb suite of rooms to a space where their (grown up) children have entertained their friends as well as provide four further bedrooms and three further bathrooms. The original well-ventilated cellar comprises a large store room, wine cellar and boiler room.

The well-appointed coach house is a significant feature in the overall architectural piece of Maperton. Under the imposing arch through which one drives to the rear of the house, there is ample parking. The coach house has a large high ceilinged Gym and first floor one bedroom apartment.

The gardens at Maperton are exquisite. Created by the renowned garden designer Arne Maynard, he has delivered a magical garden which beautifully blends bold and contemporary elements together with the elegant and classic architecture.

The immaculate lawns contrast with cleverly divided rooms with plenty of structure courtesy of mature trees including copper beech and lilacs which bring colour and frame the view from the house. The swimming pool and tennis court are screened by yew hedging and are easily accessible but far away enough from the house so as not to detract from it The hedging and cool pool house give the pool area a Californian vibe covered by wisteria and has all you need to spend the whole day down here including a full kitchen and shower/steam room.

A charming and atmospheric space is the writer's garden with an old schoolhouse and knot garden, a secluded peaceful spot to get away, which has electricity but intentionally no internet! The gardens offer far reaching views and secluded spots, including an ancient orchard with wildflowers, and wrap themselves around the churchyard of St Peter and St Paul parish church. There is a private path to the church for those Jane Austen wedding moments. The current owners have planted over 800 native trees around the house and gardens.

Sitting on the Somerset/Dorset border, the pretty hamlet of Maperton is small in size and distinguished for its high proportion of particularly large and fine stone houses, most of which are listed. Maperton House is the largest and finest example.

Only a short drive away is The Newt in Somerset. This beautiful house is now a world-class hotel with exquisite gardens, spa, and dining experiences. The owners have invested heavily in the area and have transformed Castle Cary railway station with its chic farm shop and Creamery restaurant.

Bruton is only 15 minutes away, where the Hauser and Wirth Gallery which holds regular exhibitions of worldclass contemporary art Hauser and Wirth Gallery has brought a new buzz to the area along with Michelin-starred Osip and Margot Henderson's The Three Horseshoes at Batcombe to name but two making this part of Somerset a magnet for visitors from across the country and abroad.

There are regular train services to London Waterloo from Sherborne and Templecombe stations and an Intercity service runs from Castle Cary (12 miles), to London Paddington (from 90 minutes). Heathrow airport is within 2 hour's drive and there are International Airports at Bristol and Southampton The towns, villages and countryside around Maperton House provide for an excellent selection of recreational and sporting activities with golf courses nearby at Sherborne and Wincanton; racing at Wincanton (national hunt) and Salisbury (flat).

There is excellent walking and riding country all around and the south coast is within one hour's drive for water sports at Poole and Weymouth.

The area also boasts an excellent selection of schools at all levels including Sherborne School for boys and girls, Bryanston, Canford, Milton Abbey and Millfield with prep schools close by at Leweston, Port Regis, Hazelgrove, Sandroyd, Handford and Knighton House.