Luxurious West Country manor combines traditional elements with modern amenities, featuring a grand double staircase, stone floors, oak-paneled walls, a swimming pool, and a games room.
Grade II*-listed Avishays House in Chaffcombe, Somerset, Up for Sale at £5.75 Million
Nestled in the heart of south Somerset, Avishays House, a Grade II*-listed property, is a rare historical estate that combines medieval origins with expansive land and a substantial country house. With an asking price of £5.75 million, the estate spans approximately 90 acres and offers a unique blend of history, luxury, and charm.
The property, located near the market town of Chard, boasts a rich history dating back to medieval times. The house is recognized for its historical charm and character, adding a strong sense of nostalgia and heritage to the property. Notably, after the Battle of Sedgemoor (the last battle fought on English soil), a figure named Elias escaped capture by hiding in a tree on the estate, indicating the property’s historical importance and long-standing presence in the region.
Avishays House is a large farmhouse with ten bedrooms, making it spacious and suitable as a country residence or estate home. The main entrance to the house is located in the original 17th-century wing to the east. The interior features a swirling, twisting double staircase, a galleried entrance hall, three main reception rooms, a study, large kitchen/breakfast room, master bedroom suite, and six further bedrooms, five with their own bathroom.
More service rooms were added to the north in the 19th century, and the main range of Avishays House was extended southwards and doubled in depth by the addition of new principal rooms in 1745. If sold as a whole, the estate would include the additional land, some woodland, and five other properties, namely the East, West, and North lodges, plus two modern estate cottages.
The grounds of Avishays House include a tennis court, a lake, and a large walled garden to the south-east. An impressive leisure suite, comprising an indoor swimming pool, gym, and sauna, is accessible via a half landing on the back stair in Avishays House.
The charming coach house at the rear of Avishays House provides guest accommodation and stables. On the hill to the east of Avishays House, there is a small embattled structure of the 19th century, known as The Castle.
Avishays House was sold to Edward Clarke, a Chard solicitor, by William Elton in 1859. It was later owned by Elias Sealy, who owned Avishays House in several generations later, and his daughter Sarah married James Marwood of Widworthy, Devon. Under her will, Avishays was to be held jointly by her four daughters as long as her only son, James, 'continued insane'.
The medieval parish of Chaffcombe, bounded by Knowle St Giles, Cudworth, Cricket St Thomas, and Chard, provides a picturesque setting for this historic estate. For those interested in exploring the area, the charming town of Chard offers a variety of amenities and attractions.
In summary, Avishays House represents a significant and prestigious property on the market in Somerset, offering a unique opportunity to own a piece of history and luxury in the heart of the countryside.
Prospective buyers of Avishays House, with a price tag of £5.75 million, can invest in both real-estate and lifestyle by purchasing this Grade II* listed property in Chaffcombe, Somerset. The estate, which spans 90 acres and includes additional land, woodland, and five other properties, also offers home-and-garden enthusiasts a chance to own a property with a large walled garden, tennis court, lake, and leisure suite.
