The Laurels, Beckington, Somerset

This exceptional Grade II-listed four-bedroom house sits in Beckington, a characterful village located three miles north of Frome, one of Somerset’s best-loved towns. Dating from the 16th century, the house is hewn from stone and has a wealth of original features. The Laurels extends over three storeys, and a tiered garden at the rear has an elegant paved terrace, a carefully maintained lawn and a hot tub. Westbury rail station is six miles from the house and runs services to London Paddington in approximately 80 minutes, and from Bradford-on-Avon station, also six miles away, Bath is around 10 minutes.

Setting the Scene

Until the 17th century, Frome was a larger town than nearby Bath; it grew in prominence due to the early wool and cloth industry, later establishing a reputation for metal-working and printing. It has a large number of listed buildings, many of which are built from the local vernacular stone.

The Laurels lies in Beckington, a small and close-knit village to the north of Frome’s centre. The house is believed to have been built circa 1580 and retains many of its original features, including beautiful stonework and ashlar quoins on the façade, a wide fireplace, exposed timber beams, and pretty sash windows in stone surrounds.

The Grand Tour

A low stone wall embraces the house, punctuated by a timber gate that leads through a courtyard garden to the front door. An additional gate, set back from the path, provides side access to the house and rear garden.

A generous snug sits to the left of the entrance hall. Here, walls are washed in a olive-green hue, and herringbone-laid flooring runs underfoot. A log burner is nestled in an alcove, framed by two built-in bookshelves with additional storage. An exposed timber beam bisects the ceiling, and shuttered sash windows fill the room with natural light.

From the entrance hall – which is tiled with a striking monochromatic design underfoot – a set of steps ascends to a living room with a stone-framed fireplace, log burner and a beautiful exposed stone surround. Beams run overhead, with spot lighting delicately interspersed between. Walls are painted a dusky pink here, a colour that pairs elegantly with the original wooden floorboards underfoot.

A single step leads up to an open-plan kitchen and dining area with pretty black and white marble tiling underfoot. A soft colour palette characterises the space, which has a cream-coloured gas Aga, marble worktops and splashback, and a butler's sink with brass fittings and instant boiling water tap. A French window at an elevated height allows light to stream into the room and there is generous space for a dining table. A door provides side access to the passage and garden. There is an additional exterior door on the opposite side of the dining area, which opens into a utility area and cloakroom with an adjacent WC, all served with underfloor heating.

A set of stairs with wooden treads ascends to the first floor. To the rear of the plan, steps lead to a sitting room or additional bedroom, with original oak flooring and French doors that unfold onto the garden beyond. Two French windows framed between gently sloped parts of the roof is a pretty detail here.

The principal bedroom sits at the front of the plan. Light pours into the room through sash windows, and an exposed timber beam runs overhead. There is built-in storage here, and an en suite shower room is attached. An additional bedroom with a shower room is painted forest green.

Situated on the first floor, the shared bathroom has a bathtub and twin sinks. There is a third bedroom tucked away on the second floor, with a pitched roof and a charming sash window.

The Great Outdoors

A peaceful tiered garden sits to the rear, accessed via the first-floor sitting room or from a passage with steps that runs alongside the house. A paved terrace occupies the first tier and offers ample room for outdoor dining and entertaining. Nestled in the corner, a cedar hot tub is perfect for relaxing. Steps lead to a carefully maintained lawn area, embraced by brick walls, Espalier apple trees and shrubbery.

Out and About

Beckington is a small village with a strong sense of community. It has two schools, two pubs – The Woolpack and The Foresters – as well as a farm shop, the wonderful Mes Amis cafe/deli and a thriving cricket club.

Frome lies three miles south of Beckington. Its popularity has surged in recent years; the town is routinely named one of the best places to live in the UK, thanks to its roaring cultural scene, historic architecture and beautiful surrounding countryside.

Babington House is reachable in around 15 minutes by car, and nearby Bruton’s excellent dining options include the Michelin-starred Osip, The Old Pharmacy, At the Chapel. The Newt and Roth Bar and Grill at Hauser and Wirth gallery are around 15 miles to the south. In nearby Batcombe, Margot Henderson’s The Three Horseshoes adds to the excellent dining options in the area.

North Somerset is well-renowned for its wealth of local produce, independent food producers and growers. Westcombe Dairy is easily reached for award-winning cheese and charcuterie. Landrace Bakery’s new outpost is now conveniently on-site, offering a daily dose of sourdough bread made from stoneground UK grains milled at the Landrace Mill, alongside Brickell's ice cream and the Woodshedding Brewery.

Beckington First CofE School and private Springmead School lie within walking distance of the house. There are further schooling options in Frome, as well as plenty of well-regarded private options in Bath.

Westbury station is six miles (a 15-minute drive) from the house and runs services to London Paddington in approximately 80 minutes. Bradford-on-Avon station (a 15-minute drive) runs services to Bath in around 10 minutes. Regular buses run between Beckington and Frome, Bath and Trowbridge.

Council Tax Band: F