Hadspen, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7

Built of warm honey coloured Hadspen stone, The Ring House occupies a wonderfully quiet position at the head of the enchanting Hadspen Valley, surrounded by rolling countryside and traditional cider orchards, yet within easy distance of the amenities of Castle Cary either by car or on foot across the fields. The house enjoys a particularly sunny south facing aspect and offers light filled accommodation with high ceilings and deep window sills throughout.

At the heart of the house is the generous and welcoming sitting room with attractive stone fireplace fitted with an LPG Jetmaster fire, exposed beams and French doors opening onto the terrace, allowing the room to flow naturally into the garden and enjoy the afternoon sun. Leading from here is a study which historically housed the cider press for the main farmhouse, giving an historical nod to the property’s agricultural heritage.

The dining room sits centrally within the house, featuring an inviting brick fireplace with woodburner and connecting conveniently to the kitchen. The kitchen/breakfast room is well proportioned and enjoys a double aspect overlooking the garden, with extensive cupboards, work surfaces and space for a large farmhouse table. As the garage adjoins the kitchen, there may be an opportunity to open it up into the garage to create a large kitchen dining room. A utility room sits just off the kitchen together with a cloakroom and internal access to the garage.

Upstairs a double height stairwell leads to a spacious landing and a well-balanced arrangement of bedrooms. The large principal bedroom is dual aspect, capturing both morning and afternoon light and benefits from an ensuite bathroom. A family bath and shower room serves three other well-proportioned bedrooms, one of which lies at the far end of the house and is particularly large, offering versatile use and could equally function as guest accommodation or independent living space. Finally, a fifth bedroom enjoys an ensuite bathroom and dual aspect views of the garden and valley.

GARDEN AND GROUNDS
The gardens at The Ring House complement the house beautifully. To the front, a delightful, paved garden paints a quintessentially English picture, framed by hollyhocks, abundant shrub and rugosa roses, with clematis and roses scaling the sun-baked stone walls. To the rear, a terrace runs along the length of the house, accessed from the reception rooms and providing an ideal setting for outdoor dining while enjoying the peaceful valley setting. The garden rises gently to a lawn bordered by mature shrubs, beds overflowing with cottage garden perennials, while magnolia, apples and witch hazel provide colour, scent and fruit. A rose arbour leads through to a productive vegetable garden with espalier fruit trees and raspberry beds, all enjoying a sunny south-westerly aspect.

Beyond the formal garden lies a paddock which rises gently up the hillside providing lovely views down the valley. The property also benefits from a double garage with internal access from the house, together with a separate single garage offering additional parking or storage. A driveway creates parking in front of the garages and there is scope to enlarge the parking area if required.

The Ring House offers a rare opportunity to acquire a charming country home in an idyllic valley setting, combining peace and privacy with convenient access to the popular market town of Castle Cary.

LOCATION
Hadspen, a thriving village community with an active village hall, is surrounded by magnificent country within easy reach of Castle Cary and Bruton. It is small wonder that Sir Nikolaus Pevsner, the eminent architectural historian, described nearby Castle Cary as Somerset's prettiest town. The centre, which is in a Conservation Area, is dominated by period buildings constructed, in the main, of the distinctive honey coloured local stone and boasts a number of traditional shops, excellent boutiques and coffee shops, regular markets and the recently opened restaurant, The Creamery. Surrounding the town is unspoilt and lightly wooded undulating farmland, interspersed with delightful villages.

SPORTING AND RECREATION
The area is well provided for with bridleways, quiet lanes and footpaths suitable for cycling, riding and walking. Within close proximity lies the town of Bruton, which plays host to a plethora of attractions, cafes and restaurants, including Briar at No1 Bruton and the Michelin-starred Osip. The Hauser & Wirth gallery, garden, Da Costa restaurant and farm shop, are within a short drive.

The Newt, now well renowned for its many first-class attractions, is just up the road. There is sailing and water sports on the Bristol Channel, Dorset coast or Sutton Bingham and Chew reservoirs. Nearby racing is at Wincanton, Salisbury and Taunton. There are also numerous golf courses in the area and theatres are at Bath, Yeovil, Bristol and Salisbury.

EDUCATION
There are good schools for children of all ages within easy motoring distance, including the Sherborne Schools' group. There is a primary school and Ansford Academy (secondary education) in Castle Cary. Nearby, Bruton is well known for its schools, most notably King's Bruton and Sexeys School, a state day/boarding school. Hazlegrove Prep School at Sparkford offers further well-regarded private education.
Communications to this part of the country are excellent. From Castle Cary there are regular train services to both Waterloo and Paddington, the latter in about 1 hour 40 minutes. The A303 links with the M3, much of it dual carriageway, thus putting London within about two and a half hours' drive.

AGENT’S NOTES
There is a public footpath running up through the paddock.
Private drainage – ask agent for compliance details.
Private water supply – ask agent for details.
Flood Risk: Government flood risk mapping identifies the property as being in an area of LOW RISK from surface water flooding. The seller advises that during an exceptional weather event in 2023 the property experienced some flooding. Buyers should make their own enquiries regarding insurance and flood risk.