The Orangery, Knole, Somerset

This handsome 19th-century home forms part of a characterful cluster in Knole, Somerset. It spans some 1,900 sq ft, with four bedrooms and a sublime orangery - the home's namesake - at the rear. A private stretch of garden unfolds at the rear, visually melding with the open countryside beyond. There is plenty to do locally, from walks and cycles to a trip to one of the umpteen characterful villages that dot this part of Somerset - including Langport and Bruton.



Setting the Scene



Bineham Court was originally built in the 1850s by the Earl of Burlington, later the Duke of Devonshire. The estate was designed as a model farm – a concept that became popular in the 19th century as a way for wealthy landowners to demonstrate the latest farming technologies and architecture to their neighbours and tenants.



Bineham Court was arranged in a traditional modern farm style, with a main farmhouse and various outbuildings arranged around a central courtyard. In later years, the estate was divided into 11 separate dwellings, each built from Blue Lias stone with slate roofs. The Orangery retains many of its original features, including stone columns, sash windows and exposed timber beams.



The Grand Tour



Entry to Bineham Court is via a private, tree-lined driveway, leading to a gated entrance. The house is accessed from the courtyard gardens, its front door bordered by neatly maintained shrubbery.



A comfortable sitting room is found to the right of the entrance hall, where soft natural light filters through a large sash window framing views to the communal gardens.



A spacious kitchen with original flagstone flooring sits across the hall, with cabinetry washed in an eggshell-blue tone. An electric Belling range oven is framed by gently curved joinery, while a pitched chimney breast has a discreetly integrated extractor fan. Overhead, exposed timber beams run the length of the room, and track lighting has been installed.



A glass-panelled door reveals an expansive orangery, bathed in light from a series of sash windows and a lantern skylight overhead. Stone columns extend towards the ceiling, while the interior door and window are also framed in stone. Sprung oak flooring runs underfoot, and a Gazco gas burner is perfect for hunkering down on cooler evenings. A wide set of French doors opens to reveal the terrace and garden beyond.



A striking staircase carpeted in warm orange winds up to the first floor, where there are four bright bedrooms. The principal bedroom has two large sash windows on either side, and fitted wardrobes provide plenty of storage space. An en suite bathroom with a shower is attached, and a shared bathroom with a bathtub is also found on this floor.



The house has a private double garage, with a mezzanine area overhead that can be used for storage.



The Great Outdoors



To the rear of the house, a private garden with patio terrace and lawn is accessed via the orangery. Planted on one side with mature pear and apple trees, the garden provides captivating views of the verdant fields and countryside just beyond its stone-walled border.



At the front of the house, leafy communal gardens are maintained by a resident-owned company (management Fee: £200 per quarter).



Out and About



Knole is a peaceful hamlet of stone houses set into the lush Somerset landscape. For provisions, a convenience store in the nearby town of Long Sutton is a four-minute drive away. There is a Co-op in nearby Somerton, and a selection of larger supermarkets within easy driving distance.



The Devonshire Arms is a favourite local pub just a few minutes’ drive from the house. For dining, Nuova Italia in Yeovil is another excellent option, while the Lime Kiln Inn is a 23-minute walk from the house.



A 12-minute drive away, Langport is a town filled with independent shops and cafés. It has numerous independent retailers, including the incredible Little Bakery and The Bridge Bakery and Canteen, Art Tea Zen café, and lovely riverside spot Kitchen at the Wharf. There is also a fantastic local butcher, Black Sheep Butchers, a health food store and deli, The Langport Stores, and a weekly farmers’ market.



There is much to do in the surrounding towns and villages. An excellent stone-baked pizza haunt, The Firehouse, can be found in the village of Curry Rivel, while Hauser & Wirth in Bruton, The Newt, Osip, and several Michelin-starred restaurants, including HOLM in South Petherton, are within easy reach. Glastonbury and its famous festival are a short drive north.



By way of nature, there is plenty to explore in the region. Both the River Parrett and the Levels are waiting to be explored by foot, bike, kayak, or river cruise, while just further afield are several Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including the Blackdown Hills, Quantock Hills and Cranborne Chase. Lyme Regis, on the Jurassic Coast - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - is around an hour's drive away.



There is an excellent choice of independent schools for boys and girls of all ages, including Hazlegrove Prep School, Sherborne School, Taunton School, King's College, Queen’s College and King’s Hall. Other well-known schools in the area include Millfield and Blundell’s.



The A303 is the region’s artery, making London, Devon and Cornwall all easily accessible. Taunton, Yeovil and Castle Cary stationsoffer direct trains to London Paddington in two hours.



Council Tax Band: G