Location

Avishays is located in open countryside in the parish of Chaffcombe, about 1 mile from Cricket St Thomas and 2 miles from the old market town of Chard. Set in the centre of its own land with lodges protecting the drives, the setting is exceptional. Everyday shopping and amenities can be found in Chard and a bit further afield are Taunton, Honiton, Sherborne, Yeovil and Exeter.

The very attractive house looks out mainly to the south and west out over its own parkland. To the east the land rises steeply, to a wooded escarpment with the beautiful listed Monmouth Clock Tower with chiming clock. The main drive approaches the house up a fine avenue of horse chestnut trees and leads through parkland to the back of the house and then beyond, to the garages.

Communications to/from Avishays are excellent with the A30 (access to London, via the M3), to the south and a little further to the north the A303 linking to the M5 to the west and M3 to the East. There is a regular train service from Taunton (15 miles) to London Paddington taking under 2 hours. Alternatively, from Crewkerne a 2 hour journey takes you to London Waterloo. Two airports, Exeter & Bristol, are just 29 miles and 52 miles away with flights to a large variety of international destinations.

The area has an excellent choice of first class private schooling including King's Taunton, Perrott Hill, and Sherborne Boys and Girls Schools.   There are also some excellent local public sector schools including Holyrood Academy and Colyton Grammar.

Sporting pursuits in the area include hunting with The Taunton Vale, Cotley and Seavington Foxhounds. There is golf at Windwhistle and Taunton amongst others. There is racing at Haldon, Taunton and Wincanton. Somerset County Cricket Club (Div 1) play their home games at the County Ground in Taunton. Somerset and nearby Devon are renowned for having some of the best shoots in Southern England.

Description

Avishays is Listed Grade II * and is a magnificent period family home of good proportions, with excellent accommodation on 2 floors, ideal for entertaining and family living. The house stands centrally within mature parkland, at the top of which is a splendid folly, The Monmouth Clock Tower.

The main façade is Georgian and faces west, looking out over sweeping lawns and the ha-ha to parkland beyond. The house is approached from the east elevation, which is 17th century in style, with stone mullions, lead light windows and a heavily timbered front door.

The interiors are well laid out and flow well, and all the rooms are light and airy with much panelling, a magnificent imperial principal staircase, large open fireplaces and comfortable rooms. Upstairs the bedrooms are of good sizes and well appointed with their own bathrooms.   

Attached to the house a modern leisure wing accommodates an indoor swimming pool, gym and steam room. The service wing, to the north, backs on to a courtyard, with the back door opening into a side hall.

The house and coach house and leisure facility are served by a sophisticated biomass boiler system, providing an efficient and cost effective heating and hot water supply, with much of the being covered by RHI payments.

The Coach House provides self contained guest accommodation to the house, and there is a wonderful billiard room, within the former stable block, which doubles as a home office. A further Coach House has been converted to provide a large wine cellar and a secure garage for classic cars. Two modern barns provide further garaging, workshop, storage and fuel storage.

The gardens surrounding the property are meticulously landscaped and well-maintained, featuring mostly expansive lawns adorned with mature shrubs and trees. Positioned primarily to the south and west of the house, they are separated from the parkland by a long ha-ha. Behind the house, there is a well-tended walled garden, complete with a large greenhouse and a tennis court.

In all the property stands in about 43 acres. Avishays House could be purchased with less land if required, alternatively, a further selection of cottages and lodges with further acreage are available in purchasing the estate as a whole.

Directions

From Chard, head east on the A30 towards Crewkerne. Approximately 1 mile outside of the town, just after the end of
the 40 mph limit, turn left. At the first T-junction, turn right, and you'll find the entrance to Avishays directly opposite at the next crossroads.