The Manor House, Stoke St Michael, Somerset

This wonderful Grade II*-listed house lies in the picturesque village of Stoke St Michael, a short drive from Frome and Bruton. It has five atmospheric bedrooms and a series of interconnected living spaces, where exposed beams and wide stone fireplaces nod to the building’s earliest history. At the rear is a delightful garden, with a large lawn and carefully curated beds of vegetables, flowers and shrubs.



Setting the Scene



The Manor House was built around 1700, with doulting rubble, dressed quoins and a slate mansard roof. It presents a symmetrical facade to the street and has external dressings picked out in a deep bluish-green.



Inside, many original features remain. The current owners have gently updated the interiors, employing a range of sympathetic paint colours and a bright extension has been added, where exposed timbers mimic those of the home’s oldest parts.



The Grand Tour



A late 19th-century two-panelled front door opens directly to the largest reception room, a remarkable space with two broad stone fireplaces (one still in use) and rich, honey-toned floorboards. Long and lateral, the room has a flexible feel, with white-painted walls perfect for hanging art.



Next door, via a central hallway, is a more intimate snug with an inglenook fireplace, now fitted with a log-burning stove. It has deep red-painted walls and large original flagstones underfoot.



On the other side of the hall is the kitchen, a bright space with traditional shaker-style cabinetry, an oil-fired Aga and a ceramic sink beneath a window. Adjacent lies a double-height dining room, a beautifully bright space with a deep rooflight and doors to the garden. A garden room, gym and handy utility room lie beyond.



A dog-leg staircase with a moulded handrail ascends to the first floor, where there are three characterful double bedrooms with timber floorboards. The largest has soft cream-coloured walls and a handsome period fireplace. The main bathroom is also on the first floor, a marvellous space with terracotta-coloured walls, a free-standing bath, a walk-in shower and hand-glazed metro tiles.



The staircase ascends to the attic level, where another two bedrooms sit nestled beneath the eaves. The principal is an evocative space framed by a nest of exposed timbers. A generous dressing area sits alongside, and there is a pristine shower room accessed from the landing.



The Great Outdoors



A walled garden lies behind the house, framed with mature evergreen trees, a magnolia and a cherry blossom that erupts with pink flowers in the spring. A large terrace lies closest to the house, providing an idyllic spot for outdoor dining. Raised beds have been filled with the likes of lavender, chives and oregano. Rising above a line of trees is the tall tower of the historic village church.



A large garage/workshop has plenty of storage space, and the gated driveway provides parking for several cars.



Out and About



Stoke St Michael is a charming spot in the heart of the Somerset countryside. It has brilliant amenities, including a local pub, the Knatchbull Arms, a shop with a post office, a primary school, and a village hall with year-round events.



Frome is around eight miles from the house and has a fantastic independent scene, epitomised by The Frome Independent, a monthly market showcasing artisans and food producers. The town centre has many cafés and boutique shops, including Rye Bakery, Projects Frome, Moo & Two, Frome Hardware, Little Walcot, and Frome Reclamation.



Babington House is five miles from the house, and Hauser and Wirth, with its astonishing gardens, is under 10 miles away. Bruton, with its wonderful places to dine and shop, and the Newt in Somerset, are also easily reached.



Bath can be reached in around 30 minutes by car, and Bristol in around 50. Frome station is around 15 minutes away and runs services to Bath, Bristol, Westbury, and London.



Council Tax Band: E