Silver Street, Muchelney, Langport, TA10

Justifiably listed Grade II of Architectural and Historical Importance. Courthouse Farm is an impressive and substantial property with ancillary accommodation, pretty gardens and paddocks amounting to over 11 ¼ acres in total. The earliest formal record of Courthouse Farm dates to the early 1700's but the farm is constructed in the traditional Elizabethan longhouse style of blue lias and hamstone, and includes spolia from the nearby Benedictine monastery in Muchelney, which had been built by the same stonemasons as Glastonbury Abbey. This would suggest a likely original dating of earlier than the 1700s - very possibly the 1600s. The property has a very attractive faade with mullioned windows, under a clay tiled roof. There are many period features remaining, including exposed ceiling beams, timber floors, beautiful old, studded doors, flagstone floors, original working stone fireplaces, and of particular note many features from Muchelney Abbey including some C15 windows and a panel and cambered arched doorway. Over the years the house has undergone a series of reincarnations, including time as a vicarage, a courthouse and latterly a family home and working farm. Adjoining the main house are two separate one bedroom letting units, which currently generate additional income, but could just as well be used to accommodate guests or relatives. Courthouse Barn is on one level and has lovely far-reaching views over the paddock and towards the church tower of St Peter and St Paul. The second letting unit is the Annexe, with an upstairs bedroom and a sitting room with kitchenette. Please refer to floor plan. The main house offers generous accommodation on three floors, which reflects its early 18th century origins. There is plenty of room for entertaining and relaxation. A charming hallway with a pointed gothic plaster vaulted ceiling leads to the two wonderfully spacious and well-presented reception rooms with beautiful stone fireplaces with wood burning stoves. Additionally, there is a useful study and a cloakroom. Also off the hallway is the capacious kitchen/breakfast room with original flagstone floor, central island, recessed pantry and exposed beams. The Inglenook fireplace has been well adapted to house a Cuisine Master range cooker, which we understand is partially working. The old bread oven now houses a recessed wood burning stove. At the rear of the house is the utility room and workshops with original old copper boiler and pump handle. Following on is a further workshop and a covered walkway/storage area with doors to the side of the house, plus a gardener's loo. There is an adjoining garage, which is currently used as a log store. On the first floor are five excellent sized bedrooms and a family bathroom with double shower and cloakroom. Stairs lead to the second floor where there are two further spacious bedrooms with reduced head height, and a bathroom. All the rooms have the benefit of good views, some of which are far reaching, and out to the countryside beyond. Courthouse Farm is approached from a quiet no through lane via double timber five-bar gates which lead to a large, gravelled turning and parking area, around which the house, barn, annexe and three bay carport form a courtyard. Adjoining the barn and annexe is a substantial paved area providing a sheltered spot for some alfresco dining. A paved pathway runs around the side of the house to a wrought iron pedestrian gate which leads to the lane. A small grassed and fenced triangular plot opposite the house also belongs to the property and was thought to have once been a meeting place for the villagers. On the east side of the house is a brick walled garden, raised vegetable beds and a selection of fruit trees including apple, peach, apricot, nectarine, plums, figs and greengages. Additionally, there are some well planted beds and borders, along with a Victorian greenhouse of red brick and metal including the original brick boiler house attached at the rear. A mighty holm oak tree provides form and shade. Adjoining the side of the house is a private and sheltered seating area, which is the perfect spot for outside entertaining. A lovely old wall with a climbing rose encloses this part of the garden. Through a gated arch to the west side of the garden is an area of uncultivated land and lean-to sheds and timber outhouses, currently used for storage. The front courtyard area has a small portion of lawn, together with a Magnolia tree and flowering borders, as well as a climbing rose and grapevine. Mixed conifer hedging together with fencing enclose this area. The paddocks which are interconnected via five bar gates have water, a sheep shed, field shelter and two stables. Please refer to land plan. All in all this is an impressive, quietly situated historic house, with plenty of space and the benefit of additional accommodation, plus over 11 acres of land. The village of Muchelney remains much as it has been for the last two centuries and comprises period properties amidst a landscape which has changed little. Famous for its historic 13th/14th century former Benedictine Monastery and Abbey ruins, the surrounding countryside is designated a Special Landscape Area in which strict planning controls operate to preserve its special character and so remains particularly unspoilt. There is a good range of amenities in the nearby small towns of Langport, Somerton and Martock, with a more comprehensive range of facilities at Taunton or Yeovil. Despite its rural location, the area is very accessible as the A303 is only about 6 miles to the south, giving good access to London and the West Country. In addition, Yeovil has a main line station with services to Waterloo and there is a main line service from Castle Cary to Paddington, about 90 minutes. The area is highly regarded for the excellent standard of education, both state and independent (Millfield, Wellington, Strode College, the Sherborne Schools and the Bruton Schools). Sailing and water sports on the World Heritage Jurassic Coast or Bristol Channel or Sutton Bingham Reservoir. Racing at Taunton, Exeter and Wincanton. Golf at Taunton, Sherborne and Yeovil. Extensive footpaths, bridleways and quiet lanes offer superb opportunities for riding, walking and bicycling.