Avishays, Chard

An excellent estate with a Georgian Grade II* 7-bedroom house at its heart, indoor pool, tennis court
and surrounded by mature parkland. Handsome 3-bedroom Coach House, stables and garaging.
Ring-fenced by pretty pastureland, woodland and a lake. In all 65.38 acres (26.43 ha).

Situation - Avishays is set in a beautiful rural location in the medieval parish of Chaffcombe, nestled on the western flank of Whitemoor Hill, and surrounded by rolling south Somerset countryside. In the centre of its own parkland, with lodges protecting the drives, the house mainly looks out to the south and west. Close by the village of Chaffcombe, has an ancient church and active village hall. The local market town of Chard provides everyday amenities, whilst there are a wider range of facilities at the nearby towns of Ilminster, and Crewkerne with a Waitrose and mainline train station. The picturesque coastal town of Lyme Regis, on the Jurassic Coastline, with its historic Cobb, sandy beach and range of restaurants is within a half an hour’s drive. Avishays has excellent communications with the A30 to Exeter and the South West and the A303 to London. There is a regular train service from Taunton to London Paddington taking under 2 hours.

The Property - Avishays has a rich history dating back to the medieval period, taking its name from Oliver d’Avenel who died in 1226. First recorded as Aveneleseigh in 1316, the estate was held as a freehold under Chaffcombe Manor, before being sold to John Browne in 1559 and later purchased by the Sealy family in 1697. The house remained in the family’s possession for over a hundred and sixty years until 1859. One of its most notable owners was Elias Sealy, a supporter of the Monmouth Rebellion, an attempt to seize the crown from James II. After defeat at the Battle of Sedgemoor, the last battle fought on English soil, Elias escaped capture by the King’s troops by hiding in a tree on the Estate.

Lot One - Avishays House, Coach House, outbuildings, gardens and about 65.38 acres (26.43 ha) of pasture. This elegant house has brick elevations with golden hamstone dressings under a Welsh slate roof. The earlier 17th century house eastern facade has stone mullions and a heavily timbered front door with timber shell hood over. Much extended during the Georgian period, the impressive west facing façade with tall sash windows provides wonderful views from the principal reception rooms and bedrooms over gardens to the parkland beyond. Avishays is a welcoming home with enormous charm and classical proportions, many of the rooms are panelled with open fireplaces, ideal for family life and entertaining. The generous, light-filled accommodation flows well and is arranged over two floors. A magnificent double height entrance hall features a sweeping imperial staircase and opens into the impressive triple aspect panelled drawing room. The adjoining sitting room features full height sash windows with access to the terrace. The panelled dining room leads to a spacious kitchen/breakfast room with an original flagstone floor, AGA and adjoining back kitchen. Upstairs the principal bedroom has an ensuite bathroom and dressing room. There are a further five ensuite bedrooms plus a bedroom with a separate bathroom. Attached to the house, the leisure suite accommodates a 42’ heated swimming pool, gym and steam room. The vendors have carried out a comprehensive programme of maintenance and improvement during their ownership, with particular focus on maximising the estates potential income. They have installed a heating and hot water “district heating” system serving the main house, all the core outbuildings and North Lodge (further details under Services). All the fencing on the estate is new. The estate houses have been recently upgraded and their rental provides a significant income. In all Avishays is a manageable private estate with an excellent historic house in good order and well-protected by the surrounding parkland. Please see floorplan for accommodaton and measurements.

Outbuildings - The Coach House (listed Grade II), converted to provide significant secondary accommodation, with large open plan living area and three ensuite bedrooms. Opening onto a private terraced garden. An adjoining traditional stable block has three original loose boxes.
The Billiards Room (listed Grade II) converted from former stables, is now a spacious games/trophy room with full-sized billiard table. Could easily be used for office space if required.
Wine Cellar, with adjoining classic car garage.
Double modern General-Purpose Building (16.2m x 6.8m) provides further extensive garaging for classic cars, tractor/machinery storage, workshops and plant room. Separate car wash area.
Estate Managers Office (6.5m x 5.1m).

Monmouth Tower & The Ice House - Set in an elevated position is a 19th century castellated stone folly, now known as The Monmouth Tower (listed Grade II), in memory of Elias Sealy. A previous owner installed a 19th century chiming clock by Gillett and Johnson of Croydon which was originally at Highclere Castle in Hampshire. There is also the listed stone ice house closer to the house.

The Gardens - The attractive gardens to the south and west of the house, are mainly laid to lawn with a variety of ornamental trees and separated from the parkland by a long ha ha. Beyond the long terrace is a parterre, perfectly echoing the classical facade. Either side of the front door, in the courtyard is a further charming formal garden of simpler design. A generous herbaceous border extends the length of the walled kitchen garden alongside the drive. Upon entering this enclosed garden there are roses, a cutting garden and raised vegetable beds. Also a tennis court, large greenhouse, potting shed and access to the newly planted orchard.

The Land - At the heart of the estate, surrounding Avishays House is traditional parkland laid out in the early 18th century. There is ancient pastureland with native specimen trees and a spring-fed lake filled with water lilies, reflecting the surrounding copper beech trees. The ground rises to the east towards Whitemoor Hill and is mainly wooded, with a stand of mature beech trees carpeted with bluebells in season.

Services - Lot 1: Main electricity. (Some 3-phase available). Private water (estate borehole). Private drainage (treatment plant). The main house, leisure suite and coach houses are heated by a Biomass boiler under a government support programme with RHI payments contributing significantly towards the running costs. This is at the highest level and runs for 20 years from June 2017. Broadband: Standard available. Mobile Network Coverage: There is mobile coverage in the area, please refer to Ofcom's website for more details.

Material Information - 1. Avishays Estate is situated in Flood Zone 1, an area with a low probability of flooding.
2. A public footpath passes along the front drive a good distance from the main house.

Local Authority - South Somerset Council Tax Bands: Avishays House H

Sporting - All rights are understood to be owned and included in the sale. Sporting pursuits in the area include hunting with The Taunton Vale, Cotley and Seavington Foxhounds. Racing at Taunton or Wincanton. Golf at Cricket St Thomas or Taunton & Pickeridge. Sailing on the coast at Lyme Regis or West Bay. The estate was formerly renowned as part of the adjacent Cricket St Thomas shoot.

Education - The area has an excellent choice of schooling including Avishayes Community Primary School, Holyrood Academy and Colyton Grammar. Independent schools in the area include Chard Prep School, Perrott Hill, King’s Taunton and Sherborne Boys and Girls Schools

Tenure - Freehold with vacant possession upon completion