Long House, Bruton, Somerset

Architecturally defined by a striking zinc-clad extension, this elegant Grade II-listed five-bedroom house in Bruton has been brilliantly reimagined by the award-winning architects Prewett Bizley. Deceptively spacious interior living space extends to over 2,150 sqft across three storeys, pairing modern detailing and materials with the original Georgian features, and views onto the private rear gardens. Ideally positioned on the high street, Long House is minutes' walk from Bruton's highlights, and within easy walking distance to the train station.

The Architect 

Prewett Bizley is an award-winning practice producing well crafted, exceptional architecture with a very low energy use. The practice makes engaging, atmospheric spaces that are responsive to the needs of their users and that bring lasting improvements to the quality of people’s lives. Having pioneered some of the lowest energy retrofit projects to date in the UK, the practice are passionate about the need to reduce the impact of buildings on the environment. They offer Passivhaus design and expert advice on low-carbon retrofit and new-build projects from our offices in London and Somerset.

The Tour

Thought to have been built in the early 19th century, the house - which was formerly a doctor's surgery - blends beautifully into the vernacular of the Georgian high street and looks deceptively compact from the front façade. Inside, however, the interior unfolds into a series of imaginatively conceived living spaces.

Original flagstones ground in the entrance, where there is a period fireplace and sash windows complete with original shutters. Set centrally, the kitchen adjoins the dining room in the middle of the plan, characterised by clean lines of white cabinetry, solid timber worktops, and an original fireplace with glazed red tiles. A large skylight has been added overhead, drawing an excellent quality of natural light down to the dining space, leading through to a secondary living area.

Belgian brickwork defines the extended living room at the back of the ground level where glazed bi-folding doors unfold onto the terrace, dissolving the boundary between inside and out. A wood-burner forms a natural centrepiece in winter months, and bespoke joinery adds to the generous provision of storage throughout the house.

Ascending the central staircase a series of bedrooms unfold across split levels. To the immediate left on the first floor, a bright double bedroom has direct views down to the high street, and a green-tiled art deco fireplace adds period character. Two further bedrooms lie off an arterial corridor, alongside two bathrooms - one with a bath and a shower room. Across the split-level landing there is a useful laundry and utility room and WC. Two further bedrooms are positioned on the second floor.

Outdoor Space

Elegant pale Belgian brick is a predominant material in the garden and has been used in the way that fosters a clear aesthetic connection with the interiors. The brick-laid terrace extends from the living space making it a wonderful part of the house for entertaining and eating outside, with a series of landscaped levels unfolding behind. Steps lead up to a built-in barbecue and worktops made from natural slate that provide space for cooking.

Beyond, a lawned area is bordered by mature flowers and shrubbery. At the rear of the garden is a large stone garage, a useful space for extrenal storage that opens directly onto a quiet back lane.

The Area

The house is positioned in the heart of Bruton, a small town of immense character that is well-equipped with excellent independent restaurants, cafes and shops, including Michelin-starred Osip, The Old Pharmacy, At the Chapel, The Newt and also Roth Bar at Hauser and Wirth. In nearby Batcombe, Margot Henderson’s The Three Horseshoes adds to the excellent food offering in the area.

Frome is also close by – around 20-minutes’ drive away. Frome’s growing community of independent shops, creative businesses and eateries include Rye Bakery, Projects Frome, Moo and Two, Frome Hardware, Eight Stony Street, and Frome Reclamation Yard. The Frome Independent, a monthly market showcasing local artisans and food producers, has also helped put Frome on the map, attracting over 80,000 visitors annually.

North Somerset is well-renowned for its smattering of local produce, independent food producers and growers. Westcombe Dairy is easily reached for award-winning cheese and charcuterie. Landrace Bakery’s is also on-site, offering a daily dose of sourdough bread made from stoneground UK grains milled at Landrace Mill. There is a good selection of farm shops for organic produce nearby, including The Slow Farming Company, a local distillery, and for field-grown flowers and herbs, Re-Rooting is also nearby.

The sought-after villages of Mells and Nunney also lie around 20 minutes north. Nunney is characterised by its historic centre and, most notably, its picturesque moated medieval castle built in the 1370s by a local knight, Sir John de la Mare. The village has a popular local pub, The George Inn. A popular spot for Sunday lunch is The Talbot Inn in Mells or wood-fired pizza from The Walled Garden opposite.

Local independent schools include King’s School Bruton, Bruton School for Girls and state boarding school Sexey's. Bruton has its own primary school and within easy reach are Millfield, Hazelgrove and All Hallows prep schools. Frome is around 15 minutes by car and has plenty of good state schools including the well-known Steiner Academy.

There is a rail service from Bruton station to London Paddington with an easy change at Westbury, as well as direct services to Bath and Bristol. Direct services to London Paddington and London.

Council Tax Band: C