Grandiose West Country manor boasts a double staircase, stone flooring, and wood-paneled walls, alongside a swimming pool and games room.
In the picturesque village of Chaffcombe, Somerset, a Grade II-listed country house named Avishays House is currently on the market for £5.75 million. This historic property boasts a rich history dating back to medieval times, as evidenced by its designation as a Grade II listed building[1][2].
The main house of Avishays House, spanning 7,168sq ft across two floors, showcases a Georgian facade and a main entrance located in the original 17th-century wing to the east[1]. The east side of the main building incorporates part of an earlier 17th-century house[1]. In 1745, the main range of Avishays House was extended southwards and doubled in depth by the addition of new principal rooms[1].
Avishays House is surrounded by 90 acres of beautiful grounds, including a tennis court, a lake, and a large walled garden to the south-east. The estate also includes five houses, paddocks, woodland, and rolling parkland[3]. A notable feature on the hill to the east of Avishays House is a small embattled structure known as The Castle[3].
Inside, the house offers well-designed interiors with a seamless flow of rooms. There is a galleried entrance hall, three main reception rooms, a study, a large kitchen/breakfast room, a master bedroom suite, and six further bedrooms, five with their own bathroom[3]. The coach house at the rear of Avishays House provides guest accommodation and stables, with a further outbuilding converted into a separate games/snooker room[3]. More service rooms were added to the north in the 19th century[1].
One of the most striking features of Avishays House is the swirling, twisting double staircase, which was featured last week in a look at properties with superb staircases[3]. The leisure suite, accessible via a half landing on the back stair, includes an indoor swimming pool, gym, and sauna[3].
The history of Avishays House can be traced back to the early 1500s, when the estate was held as a freehold under Chaffcombe manor before being sold to John Browne of Frampton, Dorset in 1559[1]. The medieval parish of Chaffcombe, where Avishays House is located, is surrounded by the parishes of Knowle St Giles, Cudworth, Cricket St Thomas, and Chard[1].
Over the centuries, Avishays House has changed hands several times. Edward Clarke, a Chard solicitor, was one of its owners[1]. In the 19th century, it was owned by Sarah Bridget Marwood[1]. In 1859, William Elton, great-nephew of Sarah Bridget Marwood, sold Avishays House to Edward Clarke[1].
For those interested in acquiring a piece of Somerset's rich history, Avishays House presents an unparalleled opportunity. This magnificent property is now available for sale via Symonds & Sampson[2].
[1] Historic England. (n.d.). Avishays House. Retrieved from https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1354017
[2] Symonds & Sampson. (n.d.). Avishays House. Retrieved from https://www.symondssampson.co.uk/property/avishays-house/
[3] Homes & Property. (2021, July 23). Inside Avishays House, the stunning Somerset country house with a superb staircase. Retrieved from https://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/property-news/country-houses/inside-avishays-house-the-stunning-somerset-country-house-with-a-superb-staircase-9513879
The 90-acre estate of Avishays House, located in Chaffcombe, Somerset, includes not only the historic main house but also five houses, paddocks, woodland, and rolling parkland, providing a unique blend of home-and-garden lifestyle. In the main house, one can appreciate the seamless flow of well-designed rooms, from the galleried entrance hall to the leisure suite with an indoor swimming pool, gym, and sauna, showcasing a lifestyle steeped in history yet catering to modern comforts.
