Kingsdon

Redlynch Park, Bruton, SomersetSold

Call us +44 (0)20 3687 3071

Kingsdon

Redlynch Park, Bruton, SomersetSold

Call us +44 (0)20 3687 3071

“Soaring atrium-style glass panels filter light into the dining room, casting shadows and dappled light over the course of the day”

This elegant three-bedroom apartment is set on the ground floor of Grade II-listed Redlynch House in Bruton, just a short drive from the centre of the small but vibrant Somerset town. The plan extends over 1,890 sq ft across one self-contained storey section, with a private entrance on the north side of Redlynch House and private courtyards at the front and back. Residents also have access to beautifully landscaped grounds with a heated swimming pool and a tennis court.

Setting the Scene

Redlynch House, an impressive country residence with ancient origins, is set in the esteemed Redlynch Estate. Originally designed in the 18th century, the formal gardens now feature early 20th-century elements envisioned by the renowned Edwin Lutyens, the English architect acclaimed for his creative adaptation of traditional architectural styles. The estate has magnificent woodland, pleasure grounds, and enchanting walled gardens, all enveloped by breathtaking parkland. Enclosed in the early 17th century and skilfully landscaped in the mid-18th century, the parkland is a rural idyll where cows and lambs wander across rolling green pastures. For more information, please see the History section.

The Grand Tour

Redlynch House is not visible from the road, but set down in a quiet, private position, marked by 19th-century stone quadrant walls surmounted with elegant metal railings. Flanking a pair of cylindrical stone piers crowned with domed caps, these walls lead to a set of exquisite wrought-iron gates. The driveway gracefully winds its way to a carriage turning circle, revealing the house’s handsome profile. Private entry to this apartment is from the north side of the building.

A meticulous approach to details is evident on arrival. Original features are abundant and include stepped skirtings, neat cornices and dado rails, ornate architraves and several dramatic archways. Honey-hued solid oak floorboards cover much of the home.

Each room is connected by an arterial L-shaped corridor. At the front of the plan is a double-aspect drawing room; the perfect setting for gatherings or cosy film evenings, it balances generous proportions with a warm, intimate atmosphere. Beautiful deco-style wallpaper is paired with Farrow & Ball Biscuit, and tall curtains with bold patterns frame two expansive leaded windows. An open fireplace with carved surrounds and a brick hearth anchors the room.

At the centre of the apartment is a wonderful formal dining room, with soaring full-height ceilings and diffused daylight from the atrium-style glass panels above. The walls are painted in a delicate bespoke coral shade. Two pillared archways capture views to the internal corridor, finished with Isodore floral paper from Laura Ashley along the upper half of the wall.

Large French doors lead to an inviting kitchen/breakfast room, appointed with bespoke farmhouse units and oak countertops. An antique leaded window above the Belfast sink provides an abundance of natural light. A range cooker is set within a chimney breast, with a Delft Blue tiled splashback in a delicate cream-and-blue floral pattern; other integrated appliances include Bosch dishwasher and washing machine. Above, shelving and cabinetry offer additional space for storing and displaying cookware and kitchen provisions.

The principal bedroom is positioned at the back corner of the plan, with dual-aspect windows and a built-in wardrobe. A neutral palette enhances the secluded and peaceful feel. A smart en suite adjoins, with a freestanding roll-top bath, a separate shower and underfloor heating. There are two further double bedrooms, both with built-in wardrobes and courtyard-facing windows.

There are also two spacious cupboards for airing and storing linen and outerwear, as well as a marbled family bathroom with a walk-in shower and WC, and there is a further cloakroom with WC near the entrance.

A cellar lies beneath the apartment, formerly used to store the house jewels, and is presently used as an additional storage space.

The Great Outdoors

Redlynch House is surrounded by 25 idyllic acres of impeccably-kept estate land, with several beautiful walks on the doorstep. The estate has a tennis court with breathtaking views across rolling fields and a heated swimming pool bordered by historic roses, perfect for watching the sunset. A Lutyens-designed, listed summer house is used as a communal games and hobby room. Manicured gardens, walled gardens, and enchanting woodlands filled with bluebells, snowdrops, and wild garlic complete the captivating surroundings.

The apartment has access to private courtyards at the front and back, as well as to an allocated allotment and cold frame for growing plants, flowers and herbs.

There is a large single garage with electricity as well as access to a shared car park for residents and guests.

Out and About

Bruton’s excellent dining options include the Michelin-starred Osip, The Old Pharmacy, At the Chapel, The Newt, and Roth Bar and Da Costa at the internationally renowned Hauser and Wirth gallery. For the home chefs, be sure to pick up fresh ingredients at Durslade Farm Shop. All can be reached in around five minutes by car or half an hour by foot from Redlynch. In nearby Batcombe, Margot Henderson’s recently opened The Three Horseshoes adds to the excellent dining options in the area.

The town of Frome is also close by – around a 30-minute 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.

Surrounded by rolling fields and open countryside, the area is renowned for walking and cycling opportunities. Visit the breathtaking 18th-century landscaped gardens and Palladian mansion at Stourhead, a National Trust estate with a café, shop and gallery — all just a 15-minute journey by car. While offering the peace of the countryside, Redlynch is also well-placed to access some of north Somerset’s most popular cultural highlights.

This part of Somerset is well-renowned for its wealth of local produce, independent food producers and growers. Bruton is home to Godminster, the award-winning organic cheddar, and Westcombe Dairy is easily reached for their award-winning cheese and charcuterie. Landrace Bakery’s new outpost is now conveniently on-site, offering a daily dose of sourdough bread made from stoneground UK grains milled at the new Landrace Mill. There is a good selection of farm shops for organic produce, 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 25 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. Shaftesbury is easily accessible in around 25 minutes by car, and the fantastic coastline around Lyme Regis is around an hour’s drive away.

There is a selection of excellent schools in the area, including Sherborne School, Sherborne School for Girls, King’s Bruton, The Gryphon School, John Taylor High School and Abbot Beyne School. There is also a good primary school in nearby Zeals, Whitesheet Church of England Academy.

With easy access to the A303 and M3, London is reachable in under three hours. Rail connections are also very good, with Castle Cary approximately 15 minutes away by car, offering direct rail services to London Paddington in an hour and a half. Bruton station has trains to Bath Spa and Bristol in approximately an hour, which in turn have trains to Paddington in an hour and 20 minutes.

Council Tax Band: F

Tenure: Share of Freehold

Underlying Lease Length for the apartment: 111 years

Service Charge: Approx. £5,800 per annum for the house and estate grounds (this includes a pro-rata repairs to shared areas and the outside of the building, Freeholders’ administration or management charges, sinking fund, storage units and laundry room, communal garden and woodlands upkeep, and use of sports/swimming facilities)

Please note that all areas, measurements and distances given in these particulars are approximate and rounded. The text, photographs and floor plans are for general guidance only. Inigo has not tested any services, appliances or specific fittings — prospective purchasers are advised to inspect the property themselves. All fixtures, fittings and furniture not specifically itemised within these particulars are deemed removable by the vendor.

History

Redlynch was established as a private estate in the 11th century and recorded in 1066 as one of the four estates of the ancient parish of Bruton. The area’s history dates back to Saxon when settlements emerged around a pre-existing priory. Over the centuries, Redlynch changed hands multiple times until it was conveyed to Sir Stephen Fox, a statesman and founder of Chelsea Hospital, in 1672 as a settlement for a debt. Starting in 1688, Sir Stephen initiated repairs and, in 1708/09, commissioned architect Thomas Fort to construct a new house adjacent to the old one.

However, Sir Stephen passed away in 1716 before the new house was completed. The estate and its extensive repair works were then inherited by his son, who gained the titles Lord Ilchester in 1741 through marriage – and became the Earl of Ilchester in 1756. As Lord Ilchester, he undertook significant improvements to the mansion house and the surrounding landscape, including creating impressive formal gardens that still exist today.

Garden wall construction began in 1729, followed by the development of a park based on a later plan. The park featured a shrubbery with mature trees and evergreen shrubs, as well as a series of walks to the north, a formal lake to the south, and a serpentine walk through wooded areas to the southeast. Between 1740 and 1762, the park reached its maximum size of 750 acres, and the enclosing wall was completed. Ornamental elements, such as waterfalls, a large pond, wild wooded areas, a deer park, a temple, a Chinese Seat, and Aviaries (now Grade II-listed), were also added. This extravagant estate served as a venue for Lord Ilchester’s entertainment of George III during the King’s visits to Weymouth.

Upon the death of Lord Ilchester, the estate was inherited by his son, the second Earl Ilchester, in 1776. The Earl proposed converting the park back to agricultural use, resulting in the abandonment of the mansion house for much of the 19th century. In 1901, the fifth Earl enlisted the renowned British architect Edwin Lutyens, known for his work on New Delhi, to restore the formal gardens and transform the estate’s service block (including stables, a coach house, and a servants’ wing) into a new house.

However, in 1912, the sixth Earl sold the estate, changing hands multiple times. Notably, local suffragettes are said to have set fire to some of the converted residential buildings around 1913/14 as part of a national protest against private collections of nude female paintings. During this time, the original mansion house was also demolished. From 1971 to 1982, the estate served as a school. In 1985, the house and stables were converted into apartments surrounded by communal gardens, while the Orangery was sold for residential use. The park continued to be used for agricultural purposes. Notable residents of Redlynch include American author John Steinbeck and his wife, who resided there while researching his retelling of the Arthurian legend, The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights.

Prominent surviving elements of the original estate include The Towers, an imposing Gothic-style gateway with twin circular turrets, listed as Grade II*. It is believed that Lord Ilchester constructed this structure to impress King George III, who frequently visited Weymouth. The Church of St. Peter, also Grade-II* listed, dates back to 1750 and remains in its original location at the edge of the estate.

Kingsdon — Redlynch Park, Bruton, Somerset
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