Stoke St Mary, Taunton, Somerset, TA3

Architecture & Interior
Approached via a winding private drive Stoke House is a masterpiece of late Georgian architectural elegance, its fine proportions and symmetry reflecting the grand build style of the age.

Understood to have been commissioned by a wealthy Bristol based businessman, the slightly austere stuccoed facade along with the colonnaded entrance represents the build style of its time – circa 1820. In terms of its local legacy, it’s an impressive and important house but with its lack of obvious staff quarters and modest stable block within the grounds, it’s unclear as to whether this home served simply as a country retreat, hunting lodge or estate office.?The magnificent interior proportions are enjoyed the moment you step across the threshold. A central stairwell with exquisitely preserved swans’ neck handrail, dominates the reception hallway, gracefully rising its way up to the second floor where a galleried landing is used as a place of quiet contemplation to enjoy the verdant views.

Centred around the ground floor foyer like reception, a series of generous rooms connect with one another.

The simplicity of shaker style cabinetry in the kitchen, finished in heritage grey tones work respectfully with the time-worn patina of what is thought to be reclaimed York stone flooring, pre-dating the house. Set within a chimney breast resplendent with a hand painted tile backdrop detailing the date of the house, a grand Aga creates a focal point for the room, framed by an age-appropriate replica mantle. A side bay with glazed doors invites you out to enjoy some of the informal gardens which surround the house.

The finish and feel of this room work regardless of the season, a warm inviting room during winter months and cool calm space in summer. Adjoining the kitchen, a vast family dining room captures light from its side facing sash window which sits next to a generous fireplace complete with thoroughly modern wood burner.

Three further rooms complete this level, striking practicality: a utility room with the generous proportions and fittings of a secondary kitchen, and a sizable, well-appointed scullery and a comfortable snug.

The upper two floors of Stoke House are a range of equally proportioned bedrooms, all capturing the essence of refined Georgian grandeur, six in total, although presently, one serves as a fine home office enjoying views across the Somerset countryside. This roster of rooms is complemented by three bathrooms, two of which are en-suite.

Covering half of the first floor, the voluminous drawing room is a light filled space. A soaring box sash window sits at the far end of the room allowing natural light to filter to every corner and an open fire set within an original marble surround adds to the sophistication.?Across the generous floor area of this room, a few steps separate the lower, relaxed dining area which in turn spills out onto the covered balcony. This balcony extends the width of the house, accessing a gallery of windows and doors to the first-floor landing and study.

The enduring appeal of Stoke House is rooted in its commanding hillside situation, a strategic placement that has afforded it both prospect and privacy for centuries surrounded by the privacy of twelve acres of land, a mixture of ancient woodland and both relaxed and formal grounds.

The long-gravelled driveway which sweeps past the house culminates with a large parking area. A former stable block sits here embracing the same outlook as the principal building and, whilst remarkably intact, presents as a project which could be reimagined as separate accommodation, garaging or creative studio space (STP). 

History?
Stoke St Mary has Saxon origins, with the first known reference to the village appearing in a charter of 854 AD, and it later developed as an agricultural parish under the powerful manor of Taunton Deane. Over the centuries it remained a small rural community focused on farming and cloth-making, with its 13thcentury church and scattered historic houses still reflecting that long continuity.  

In The Neighbourhood
Today, Stoke St Mary remains a small parish a few miles south of Taunton, noted for its historic core, listed buildings and ancient parish church tower that visually conveys the village’s history.?Let’s be frank, this unique home is all about enjoying the relaxed isolation afforded by country living but inevitably, the grocery run will need taking care of.

Within a short drive of Stoke St Mary there are several farm shops, such as Thurloxton Farm and Pyrland Farm Shop, which sell local produce, eggs, meat and baked goods if you prefer countryside shopping. For general groceries and everyday shopping, residents normally use Taunton, which has greengrocers like Granny Smiths on St James Street and multiple supermarkets in the town centre and retail parks.
The region also enjoys some exceptional pubs, The Farners Arms at Westhatch is a notable example and mostly, this and others are around a 10 min drive. 

Transport & Connections
Stoke St Mary is set around five to seven miles from Taunton, depending on your starting point. From here, Taunton station can be reached by car or taxi in about 15–20 minutes in light traffic. Local buses also connect the village with Taunton, generally taking 25–40 minutes, including waiting times. Fast direct trains from Taunton reach London Paddington in around one hour and forty minutes, with frequent services throughout the day.

For an alternative journey, why not consider the coach. Services such as National Express from nearby Wellington also provide regular links to London Victoria.

Material Information

EPC rating: E. Tenure: Freehold, Known building safety issues or planned/required works: No known issues known upon listing Planning permissions: None known upon listing Mobile signal information: Mobile signal/coverage: Likely good coverage on all major networks, variable internal cover linked to EE & O2, likely no internal cover linked to Three & Vodafone. Source: Ofcom