4 Bedroom Detached House

RUBBERY FARMHOUSE, EAST LYDFORD, SOMERTON TA11 7HE

A beautifully restored period Somerset farmhouse occupying a peaceful rural position between Castle Cary and Somerton, surrounded by approximately 0.7 acres of gardens and grounds. Rubbery Farm combines the character and atmosphere of a historic 17th-century farmhouse with the comfort, practicality and infrastructure required for modern family life.

The accommodation includes an entrance hall, sitting room, kitchen, dining room, utility, ground-floor bedroom/living room, four first-floor double bedrooms and two bath/shower rooms. 

Outside, there are walled gardens, expansive grounds, a grass tennis court, parking, and a studio. Available with no onward chain - a huge bonus in the current market. 

Offers are invited in the region of £995,000.

Accommodation
Believed to date from around 1688, the house is constructed of local Blue Lias stone beneath a slate tiled roof and takes its name from the historic pasture lands of ‘Rowborough’. The current owners have carefully and sympathetically restored the property over many years, with an emphasis on retaining character, natural light and connection to the surrounding landscape.

The house has benefited from considerable investment in recent years, including a complete re-roof with new insulation, new gutters and fascia boards, comprehensive repointing, bespoke handmade windows and doors by Bridgwater Joinery, a new oil-fired central heating system, upgraded plumbing, a hot water cylinder and a water treatment plant. Planning permission has also been granted for a substantial extension, offering exciting scope to create a significant five-bedroom, three-bathroom country house should a purchaser wish.

Approached via a flagstone pathway through mature gardens, the house immediately feels private, and the rurality is instantly apparent. Inside, the reception rooms are beautifully proportioned and filled with natural light, with oak flooring, window shutters, exposed stonework and wood-burning stoves all contributing to the welcoming atmosphere.

The principal sitting room is an elegant yet relaxed space, equally suited to winter evenings beside the fire or summer afternoons with French doors opened onto the sheltered courtyard garden. The courtyard itself forms a wonderful extension of the house during the warmer months, creating a natural setting for outdoor dining, entertaining and long evenings with family and friends.

At the heart of the house lies the open-plan kitchen and adjoining dining room, a sociable and inviting space designed very much for everyday living. Bespoke oak cabinetry, slate flooring, a Belfast sink and Everhot cooker create a classic country kitchen feel, while the dining area enjoys garden views, window seats and a second wood-burning stove.

A second reception room provides flexibility as an additional sitting room, media room or potential ground-floor bedroom if required. Beyond the house, an insulated garden studio with fibre broadband offers an exceptional work-from-home environment, whilst also lending itself equally well as a creative studio, gym or occasional guest accommodation. 

Upstairs are four generous double bedrooms, including a charming principal suite with a clawfoot bath en-suite. A stylish contemporary shower room serves the remaining bedrooms.

Outside
The gardens and grounds are a particular feature of Rubbery Farm and have been thoughtfully arranged to evolve naturally with the seasons. Mature partially walled gardens surround the house with sweeping lawns, herbaceous borders, raised beds and established trees, creating a wonderfully private setting. Beyond lies a rewilded meadow with mown pathways weaving through long grasses and young silver birch trees, leading onwards the adjoining fields beyond. A point worthy of note is the westerly aspect, which lays stage for idyllic sunsets by the lawns and courtyard, perfect for summer evening drinks and BBQs.

In addition to the studio, there is private parking and space to create more if desired. 

The setting feels exceptionally rural yet remains exceptionally convenient. Bruton, Castle Cary and Somerton are all within easy reach, whilst Castle Cary station provides direct rail services to London Paddington. The surrounding area is renowned for its combination of rolling countryside, excellent schools, independent shops, galleries and restaurants, with destinations such as The Newt, Hauser & Wirth and Stourhead all nearby.

About the area
Rubbery Farm is nestled in lovely farmland and countryside on the outskirts of the village of East Lydford. East Lydford is a small Somerset village in beautiful countryside between the towns of Wells, Somerton, Glastonbury and Castle Cary. The villages of East and West Lydford are centred on the old Parish Churches and bridges over the River Brue and have a very active community with a good number of societies and organisations. 

The house is ideally situated within the countryside with many footpaths and bridleways easily accessible from the property, ideal for dog walks and equestrian pursuits. Also within a few minutes is a small local Budgens supermarket which also provides newspapers, off-licence etc. There are many good pubs and restaurants in the area, the closest being the Cross Keys pub in Lydford and also the award-winning Red Lion Inn which is also within walking distance, situated in the ever-popular village of Babcary. Another great benefit of the location is access to Glastonbury Festival's local resales, which increases the chances of obtaining tickets immensely.

There are many great landmarks in the area, one of which being“The Newt in Somerset” just outside Castle Cary. It is home to beautiful countryside walks set in the grounds of a Georgian country estate. Within the estate there are a Hotel & Spa, Farm shop, restaurants and house & garden shop. Rubbery Farmhouse is located within just a short drive of the estate and as a result, the occupiers benefit from membership at a greatly reduced fee. Another great draw to the area is the town of Bruton which dates back to Roman times and today is a charming small town with various shops and amenities, including then‘Hauser & Wirth’ Art & Exhibition Gallery, the ever-popular dining experiences of the Michelin-starred “The Osip” and ’At The Chapel’.

The major towns of the area, being Bristol, Bath, Taunton and Yeovil are all within commuting distance and Castle Cary station just a 5-minute drive away, has a mainline railway to London Paddington. The A37 and A303 also provide superb road links to Bristol, Bath and the south-west. 

There are good state and independent schools close by, including Keinton Mandeville C of E primary, Strode College, Millfield, Hazelgrove, Sherborne, Wells Cathedral, the Bruton schools, and Downside.

Services
Mains water and electricity. Private and newly installed water treatment plant. Oil-fired central heating. Fibre Optic Broadband