Round House Cottage, Castle Cary, Somerset

This gently finished three-bedroom cottage forms part of a glorious golden limestone Gothic villa in Castle Cary Conservation Area. A sensitive renovation by its current owner has highlighted hearty period features, including flagstone floors, sash windows with margins, and a multitude of nooks and alcoves. The centre of Castle Cary is a short walk away, with its independent high street and railway station, which provides regular services to London.



Setting the Scene



Round House Cottage takes its name from the small, perfectly circular building at the front of the house, erected in 1779 as a temporary lock-up for local prisoners. It is one of the few surviving examples of this type of building, which warrants its Grade II-listed status as a Scheduled Monument and makes it a historic focal point in the town.



The Grand Tour



From Bailey Hill, past the Round House and between two lias stone piers with fleur-de-lys pointed cast-iron gate, the four-panelled door in dark green opens to a hallway with Victorian mosaic tiles underfoot. An alcove to the left provides a suitable place to kick off shoes and hang coats.



To the right is the first reception room, currently used as a study, with painted timber floorboards, integrated alcove storage and a sash window with margin bars.



The hallway extends to the sitting room at the heart of the home. Tiles give way to lias flagstone floors, which extend across the remainder of the ground floor. A wood-burning stove provides warmth in the cosy winter months. More built-in storage solutions can be found here, ideal for storing games, books and the like.



Beyond lies the kitchen, a well-equipped and beautifully designed space with subtle units, a range cooker and integrated appliances, including a fridge-freezer, dishwasher, and a washing machine. On the right is a door to the rear alleyway, passing a neat WC en route. From the other side is a dining room, with a built-in sideboard to match the kitchen units and another door out to the rear alley.



A painted timber staircase ascends from the sitting room to a galleried landing with floorboards and a reading area at one end.



The principal bedroom is at the front, with views over towards the high street through another sash window with margins. Thick carpets, present in all the bedrooms, amplify the room's cosy feel. There is a built-in wardrobe and an en suite shower room, finished with traditional-style fittings.



There are two further bedrooms, both good-sized doubles; one has a built-in wardrobe. These rooms share a bathroom, simply but elegantly finished with blue floor tiles, a clawfoot bathtub and a large walk-in shower.



The Great Outdoors



A east-facing patio at the front of the house has room for potted plants and a table and chairs - making it a delightful spot to enjoy a morning coffee and thumb through the paper.



Out and About



Castle Cary is a market town with plenty of shops and places to dine. Local favourites include Burnt Honey and Lazy Lobster. There is also a highly regarded artisan butcher, a selection of fine bakeries, and Pinsents Deli sells specialist foods from around the world and the locale. There are also two small supermarkets to cover all basic grocery needs within walking distance.



There is a wide array of attractions in the immediate locality, including The Newt – which has been likened to Kew Gardens with rooms, fine dining and a spa – reached in less than five minutes by car. There is currently a much-reduced yearly membership for locals.



Higher Farm is a new but firm local favourite, with its delicious ‘Farm Caff’ and nature cabins. Horrell and Horrell is also close by and has atmospheric dining experiences, located in a transformed cow barn and with an outdoor kitchen.



Bruton is 12 minutes' drive away, home to the ever-popular Roth Bar and the internationally acclaimed Hauser and Wirth art gallery, with gardens designed by Piet Oudolf. The Michelin-starred Osip restaurant is on the route from Bruton to Wincanton.



Frome is around a 30-minute drive north; it has many independent cafés and boutique shops, including Rye Bakery, Projects Frome, Moo and Two, Frome Hardware, Little Walcot and Frome Reclamation Yard. The Frome Independent, a monthly market showcasing local artisans and food producers, has helped put Frome on the map, attracting over 80,000 visitors annually. For further recommendations from those in the know, look to our guide to Frome.



Spanning 380 square miles, Cranborne Chase National Landscape is a short drive away. Its diverse landscape encompasses areas of rare chalk grasslands, scientifically important ancient woodlands, and chalk escarpments. It has plenty of walking, cycling and even horse riding routes to explore. Encompassed within is Stourhead, a National Trust property 21 minutes’ drive from the house. A magnificent 18th-century estate, it is renowned for its stunning landscape garden.



There is a primary school in Castle Cary and further state-run schools in Bruton, along with the private King’s School.



Castle Cary station is a five-minute drive away. It runs direct services to London Paddington in under an hour and 40 minutes, or connecting services to Bath and Bristol.



Council Tax Band: E