Lower Rockes, Butleigh, Somerset

This incredible Grade II-listed five-bedroom house in the heart of Somerset comprises a 17th-century farmhouse and a refined Georgian extension. The house, which extends over 4,200 sq ft, has been lovingly restored by the owners to create a series of light-filled spaces arranged around a beautiful courtyard garden. Textural finishes, including polished plaster walls and concrete worktops, complement the original period features, such as sash windows, exposed beams and flagstone floors, and result in a series of spaces that are calming and considered.

Setting the Scene

The house has had many lives since it was commissioned by the squire of Butleigh Court, along with a second farmhouse in the village, in c.1671. The house was extended in the early 19th century, resulting in a beautiful Georgian wing with a classically symmetrical façade. For more information, please see the History section.

The Grand Tour

A sympathetic renovation has allowed the weathered, traditional materials of the house's original bones retain their charm. The kitchen, hunkered under beams has all the warmth of a traditional farmhouse with refined, contemporary updates. Casement windows invite a lovely quality of light through deep alcoves in the plaster, washed in gentle pink tones. Shaker-style cabinetry is topped with polished concrete and granite worktops, and an adaptable central island provides extra counter space. Behind a large breakfast table beneath pendant lights, an original bread oven remains in an alcove for the original hearth.

The kitchen's hearth forms part of a back-to-back fireplace with the dining room. In the dining room, a wood burner provides heat in cooler months. Long elm beams traverse the ceiling and two casement windows answer each other, one of which has a window seat.

Georgian elegance is exuded by the house's later wing, emphasised by high ceilings and a delicate interior palette. Two reception rooms on the ground floor have been painted in a dusty pale pink. The drawing room is centred around a marble fireplace surround with an unusual crescent-shaped hearth. Glazed doors open to the garden, filtering westerly light through the leaves of a fig tree outside. Tucked in the front corner of the plan is a snug arranged around an original fireplace. Built-in bookshelves and a window seat in view of the country lane are idyllic come rain or shine.

A winder staircase in the dining room ascends to four bedrooms on the first floor. The primary is a wonderfully proportioned room, drawing in light through triple-aspect casement windows. An en suite bathroom has seen a clean renovation with pale pink metro tiles. Behind a reeded glass partition is a walk-in rainfall shower.

The remaining three bedrooms each have their own distinct charm. Two are part of the Georgian extension, with sash windows that give a bright airiness. A family bathroom has a bath clad in narrow green timber panelling and is easily accessible from all the bedrooms.

The primary bedroom sits in a spectacular space under the houses gable roof, on the upper floor. There is an adjoining en suite that has been painted with a tactile terracotta effect, crafting a dramatic backdrop for the free-standing bathtub, lit from above by a row of clerestory windows recessed into the plaster.

A large airing cupboard is ideal for storage. There is also a studio which could be used as a workshop or exercise space.

The Great Outdoors 

The house is framed by beautifully planted borders where brightly coloured roses. A partly covered paved terrace runs the length of the old wing of the house. An attractive eucalyptus tree sits on the edge of this seating area, while wisteria and magnolia grow up some of the external stone walls. A gravel drive borders an area of garden laid to lawn.

There are three outbuildings; a large boiler room, separate space currently used as a music studio and a garden shed. There are also a handful of fruit-bearing trees, including apple, quince and pear.

Out and About

Butleigh is a pretty village, ideally located for a wide network of walking and cycling routes, including through the nearby Mendip Hills (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). It also offers a good provision of locally grown organic vegetables and dairy produce, and there is also a village shop, church, village green and cricket ground.

Glastonbury town centre is just five miles away; the Glastonbury Festival site is also within 15 minutes by car. In addition, the independent shops, cafés and restaurants of Wells, Frome, Bruton and the highlights of Hauser & Wirth Somerset, Osip, The Old Pharmacy and The Newt are about a 25-minute drive away.

This part of Somerset is mainly well served by excellent schools. Local schools include Butleigh Church of England Primary School, while independent secondary schools include Wells Cathedral School, Millfield Senior and Prep Schools, Downside, All Hallows and Bruton. State schools include Strode College in Street, The Blue School in Wells and St Dunstan's School in Glastonbury.

Direct train services to London Paddington are accessible via Castle Cary, a 20-minute drive away, with a journey time of 86 minutes. The national motorway network is via the A303 (M3), and Bristol Airport is easily reached in around 30 minutes by car. Bristol International Airport is approximately 50 miles from the house.

Council Tax Band: F