Courthayes, East Chinnock, Somerset

Believed to have been built in around 1840, this beautiful four-bedroom former farmhouse in East Chinnock, Somerset unfolds across a plan of over 3,400 sq ft. During the conversion, an emphasis was placed on preserving the house's historic material profile whilst introducing sensitive contemporary interventions, such as its modern farmhouse kitchen. Outside, gardens of just under three acres surround the house and are filled with mature trees, tall hedges and several former farm outbuildings, as well as a vegetable garden, orchard and greenhouse for those horticulturally inclined. Though absorbed in its countryside setting, connections to London are excellent, with direct trains running to London Waterloo in two hours and 20 minutes from Yeovil.

Setting the Scene

Courthayes lies in the quiet village of East Chinnock, South Somerset; once known a part of the greater 'The Chinnocks', East Chinnock was defined around the time of the Norman Conquest. At this point, the land was given to Robert, Count of Mortain, whose son William gave it to the Benedictine Monatcute Priory. They held the land until the dissolution of the monasteries during the reign of Henry VIII.

Today, the town is populated by a diverse mix of historic architecture, with Courthayes proving no exception. It was built from Hamstone, a material that derives from Ham Hill, a town a little over four miles away. Despite its unlisted status, the house retains much of its 19th-century charm, with original flagstones and floorboards running underfoot through much of the home. A roster of refined paint colours has been employed throughout, contrasting sensitively with, and gently drawing attention to, the rich hues of the building's exposed timber frame.

The Grand Tour

Courthayes' private driveway branches off from the village's quiet High Street, passing a stately 450-year-old evergreen tree en route. There is space to park numerous cars outside the house, which is wrapped by its exceptionally green grounds. Beautifully timeworn, the Hamstone exterior is offset by the deep timber frames that border original windows.

Entry is through an original door, which opens directly into the generous double entrance hall. The original Edwardian oak flooring begins here and stretches across much of the ground floor. Soft carpet runs underfoot in the snug, however, which lies to the left of the hallway. Painted a rich blue, the room has dual-aspect windows that draw an enchanting light into the space. A stone surround is fitted around the fireplace, where a wood-burning stove has been added for cold winter nights.

The drawing room sits behind, a particularly spacious room framed by the beams that run overhead. Another stone fireplace - here with a particularly impressive mantel - is the orientating focal point to the room, with two glass-fronted cabinets at either side that provide plenty of storage and display space. Timber floorboards run underfoot and twin windows frame views across the gardens.

Only subtly delineated from one another, the kitchen and adjoining breakfast room occupy the right corner of the ground floor. Flagstones run underfoot across both spaces, while skylights set into the slope of the roof above make for a particularly airy feel. The farmhouse kitchen is formed of blue-painted timber cabinetry, with an excellent provision of workspace and integrated appliances neatly housed within the joinery. A deep sink sits beneath a window that overlooks a delightful terrace outside; accessed via a door from the breakfast room, it is a brilliant spot for a long lazy summer's lunch. From the kitchen is the dining room, a resplendent pink-painted room with an alcove that was once a broad inglenook fireplace.

There are two staircases ascending to the first floor, where the four bedrooms lie. The main bedroom suite is wonderfully generous room with a gentle filtered light and views across the gardens. A separate dressing room is adjacent. Three additional bedrooms are positioned on this level, each following a restful colour palette and with a good provision of storage and closet space. The family bathroom is well appointed with a deep bath and walk-in shower.

The Great Outdoors

Extending to almost three acres, the gardens that surround the house have been thoughtfully developed to offer variety and colour throughout the seasons. They have also been designed to act as a haven for local wildlife. The positioning of terraces and courtyards has produced a series of intimate, sun-drenched spaces lending well to eating, growing and entertaining.

Formal tiered lawns with dense rose beds and beds of flowering perennials stretch out from the immediate perimeter of the house, with a water feature set at the front. Impressive and statuesque specimen trees border bring a dappled shade and excellent privacy, and a productive vegetable garden and greenhouse offer great potential for self-sufficiency.

A cobbled pathway leads from one side to a series of outbuildings, some of which were previously used for storing vintage cars and are fully equipped with ramps, compressors, and storage. Well-preserved internally, the additional outbuildings offer excellent scope for a variety of uses. From here, paths weave through various wooded areas and around two acres of natural gardens at to the back of the house, a lime tree walk and two natural springs.

Out and About

Courthayes lies in East Chinnock, a quiet village on the leafy outskirts of Yeovil. Just north of the Dorset National Landscape and east of the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it lies within a peaceful part of Somerset, surrounded in the immediate vicinity by field upon field of pastureland. It is brilliantly positioned between some of the South West's most coveted towns and delightful stretches of countryside, making it a fantastic foothold for discovering all that Somerset, Devon and Dorset have to offer.

West Coker, the next village along from East Chinnock, has a convenient local shop and butcher as well as a post office, two pubs and a doctor's surgery. In Yeovil, branches of nearly every major supermarket can be found, including an outpost of Waitrose. Only slightly further afield is Sherborne, a pretty historic market town a 24-minute drive from Courthayes. A stellar offering of shops can be found here, as can its monthly farmers' market. There are some excellent food spots too: The Cross Keys is an atmospheric pub that serves locally sourced food and drink, and The Green has a Michelin Bib Gourmand award as well as a pretty terrace garden.

Aside from its shops and eateries, Sherborne is known for its Abbey, which was first built as a Saxon cathedral in the eighth century. The town also has a castle that was built for Sir Walter Raleigh at the end of the 16th century, with the surrounding gardens having been designed by Capability Brown. There are several National Trust properties within easy reach of Courthayes, including Barrington Court, Tintinhull Garden and Montacute House. Only slightful further afield, to the north and north-east respectively, are Glastonbury Tor and Stourhead. The coast is also within easy reach, with Lyme Regis and its wonderful shops, restaurants and coffee shops around a 40-minute drive south. From here, the Jurassic Coast - a 96-mile long UNESCO World Heritage Site - can be explored, as can the South West Coast Path.

There are plenty of schools within easy reach of the house, including West Coker CofE VC Primary School and Holy Trinity Church School, with several state-run secondary options in Yeovil. Sherborne has several well-regarded private options, including Sherborne Prep, Sherborne School and Sherborne Girls.

Transport connections are excellent; Yeovil Junction Station runs services both east and west, to London Waterloo in two hours and 20 minutes, or to Exeter St David's in a little over an hour. The A37 is also a short drive away.

Council tax Band: G