Triscombe, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, Somerset

The property
Triscombe House stands majestically in the heart of the Quantock Hills, set within the middle of its own parkland. Private yet not isolated, it is surrounded by open countryside with the Quantocks providing a dramatic backdrop to this distinguished early twentieth-century residence.

The house was built between 1902 and 1905 by Henry W Pollard and Sons of Bridgwater to designs by the renowned architect Sir Ernest Newton. It remained in the ownership of the commissioning family until 1956, when the estate was divided following the death of Emily Wimbush. A devastating fire in 2002 left only the principal walls standing, but in 2003 the remains were purchased and saved from demolition.

Over the following four years, the then owner undertook an extensive reconstruction, working closely with conservation and listed building officers, local craftsmen, and — remarkably — the original builders, Henry W Pollard and Sons. The quality of that workmanship is evident throughout the house as it stands today. The present owners have spent a further five years continuing the refurbishment to an exceptional standard, including restoring all sash windows. The result is a period country house of considerable presence, underpinned by cutting-edge modern technology.

The accommodation extends to more than 15,000 sq ft arranged over four floors, and all the principal rooms enjoy fine views towards the Brendon Hills, the Quantock ridge and the Blackdown Hills.

Ground Floor
A panelled entrance hall leads onto the main corridor and a handsome staircase rising to a galleried landing. The reception rooms — drawing room, music room, panelled library with bespoke oak cabinetry — share intricate plasterwork ceilings, period fireplaces and generous bay windows looking out to the gardens and hills. The dining room has an elaborate ceiling and south facing bay; the 41 ft Winter Garden, with its glass roof, provides roughly 1000 sq ft of living and entertaining space.

The Chalon kitchen features parquet flooring, Miele appliances, a four-oven Aga with electric companion, two dishwashers, two built-in refrigerators and a walk-in butler’s pantry. Leading off the kitchen is a boot room and a large, well equipped utility room.

Lower Ground Floor
The cinema room is fitted with Meridian, Miller & Kreisel sound and a dedicated projector. Also on this level: the climate-controlled wine cellar (c. 2,500 bottles), data room, store and WC.

First Floor
The impressive principal suite comprises the bedroom with southerly views, a walnut dressing room with central island and Sub-Zero refrigeration, a bathroom with book-matched marble floor, and a second dressing room, with a third fitted dressing room across the corridor. Four further bedrooms (two en suite), a family bathroom of nearly 36 sq m with Carrara marble floor and antique cast-iron bath, linen room and laundry complete this floor.

Second Floor
A guest suite with Kallista bath, dressing room and balcony; three further bedrooms (two en suite), and all bathrooms newly refitted in 2025. The games room has its own balcony with views, and a soundproofed, air-conditioned studio includes a dedicated sound booth.

Technology & Services
Triscombe House has modern technology and services throughout. These include Dali lighting, KNX heating and climate controls, underfloor heating, computerised garden irrigation, solar panels, a wood-pellet biomass boiler (RHI tariff) with diesel back-up boiler, 100 KVA standby generator, and extensive redundant systems throughout. Hardwired network, dedicated Wi-Fi, CCTV, monitored security and ASSA master key system. The income from the renewable installations and the Lodge generates a small annual surplus towards all running costs

The Lodge
Positioned at the entrance to the estate, the Lodge was refurbished in 2025 and provides self-contained three-bedroom accommodation with a sitting room, fitted kitchen with Miele appliances, boot room and utility, bathroom and its own private garden. It is well suited to staff or guests and is currently let on an assured shorthold tenancy.

The Brewery
An unusual feature of the property: the fully equipped brewery has been used to produce ales on a commercial basis and represents an interesting ancillary enterprise.

Gardens & Grounds
The main entrance opens onto a newly surfaced private drive which winds through the park to the house. The estate extends to approximately 20 acres, encompassing formal gardens with sweeping lawns and colourful borders, a walled kitchen garden with heated hot house, and extensive parkland featuring a fine collection of mature specimen trees including Wellingtonias and cedars. Beyond the formal gardens lie an orchard, paddocks and woodland.

Traditional outbuildings include a detached garage, hay barn, stabling and tack room, the brewery, and a garden depot with workshop, kitchen and office. A modern barn houses the biomass boiler and provides covered parking for four further cars.

Triscombe lies nine miles north of Taunton, within the Quantock Hills National Landscape (formerly AONB) — covering some 99 sq km of varied terrain and widely regarded as offering some of the finest riding country in England. The area provides exceptional walking, mountain biking, shooting and fishing.

The larger village of Williton is five miles to the north and provides day-to-day shopping, with a post office, doctors’ surgery, butcher, baker and supermarket. Bishop’s Lydeard, 4.3 miles away, has a small supermarket, post office, doctors’ surgery and two primary schools. Taunton offers a full range of shops, supermarkets and leisure facilities, together with a mainline station providing direct services to London Paddington (approximately 1 hour 39 minutes) and Exeter St David’s. The M5 (Junction 25) is 12 miles distant, giving straightforward access towards Exeter to the south and Bristol to the north. The north Somerset coast is around eight miles away. Triscombe House is well placed for the outstanding schools of the area. King’s College Preparatory School is only six miles away; in Taunton itself there are King’s College, Queen’s College and Taunton School, with Millfield a little further afield