About this property
This particularly handsome and well restored country house would be considered by many to be one of the most important houses within the Vale of Taunton Deane. The house dates back to 1840 and is Listed Grade II. It was built for Sir John Slade by the architect Richard Carver and was for many years the home of the Slade family. With majestic octagonal chimneys, the three storey property has many architectural features commensurate with a house of its age.
The main entrance has a castellated porch with a crest and motto Fidus et audax and is found at the head of the drive. With great attention to detail, restoration works have been carried out to a high standard to perfect a pleasing blend of elegant entertaining space, bright and airy bedrooms, the principal bedroom being particularly of note with a double aspect enjoying glorious outlooks, beautifully fitted dressing room and adjoining bathroom. Modern comforts include a state of the art control heating system, traditional style and designed bathrooms and shower rooms.
The reception hall has a deep ceiling cornice and arches leading through to the staircase hall and doors into the billiard room, again with double aspect and handsome marble fireplace. The double drawing room, is particularly memorable having many architectural embellishments, including a lattice plastered ceiling and two particularly handsome marble fireplaces and French doors leading out to the grounds. The dining room is found on the west side of the house and has a magnificent marble fireplace, an elaborately plastered ceiling and two sets of French doors leading out to the grounds. A well designed kitchen has been created with contemporary style fitments, twin islands with honed granite surfaces and a three oven AGA with adjoining module. There is a modern well fitted pantry adjoining the kitchen. There is a rear hall, two cloakrooms and the original kitchen and laundry, which have been left for further development.
The elegant staircase leads to the first floor galleried landing, with magnificent lantern and leads to good sized bedrooms, all en suite bathrooms or shower rooms, with a barrelled ceiling bedroom of particular interest, with its adjoining bathroom.
An ideal teenager suite of rooms are found on the second floor, including well fitted dressing room with shower room, bedroom and studio/sitting room. In addition to the main house, there is a self-contained apartment with dining room, kitchen, sitting room, three bedrooms, one bathroom and a shower room.
An impressive formal drive leads into Montys Court passing through formal lawned gardens with natural hedging and a number of magnificent trees, including Scotch Pine, Cedar, Sycamore and Monteray Pine and continues to a gravelled parking area. The parkland enjoys glorious outlooks, has no visible boundary and adjoins parkland belonging to the adjoining Pontispool Equestrian Centre. Gardens stretch out to the west, with a parterre, a terrace providing ideal alfresco dining and further lawns, partly shaded by a Majestic Oak. The grounds extend further to the west and provide an ideal setting for the double all-weather tennis court with clubhouse and traditional orchard.
An inner courtyard is found immediately behind the house also providing a good outside dining area and has a path leading out to the cobbled courtyard, which leads to the original coach house and stables.
The coach house provides garaging, workshop space and has stairs leading up to a loft area, the whole building providing development potential (subject to all necessary planning permissions and Listed Building consent). Many of the former stables and stalls are intact and now provide good storage and a studio.
There is a substantial workshop found within the courtyard, which has electronically operated entrance gates leading out to the main drive. A walled kitchen garden lies beyond the stable yard, has raised beds, implement store, log store, (needing attention) and has further double gates leading out to additional tradesmen parking. A secondary drive leads into the property from Harnham Lane.
Local information
- Montys Court enjoys a particularly light and open aspect facing south and enjoys glorious outlooks over its own and neighbouring parkland and across the Vale of Taunton Deane to the Blackdown Hills. The drive leads in off the B3227 which in turn gives excellent and quick access into Taunton, where there is an excellent shopping centre with many of the well-known high street stores and out of town shopping and mainline station to London Paddington. Taunton has become well known for its well-respected independent schools including Taunton School and King’s and Queen’s Colleges. Other well respected schools further afield include Blundells, Exeter School, Wellington Schools, Millfield and Sherborne.
- Communications to the West Country have greatly improved in recent years. Junction 25 of the M5 is 15 minutes drive. The A303, joined at Ilminster, provides an alternative route to London. The A30 gives access to South Devon and Cornwall. Fast trains from Taunton mainline station are scheduled to arrive at London Paddington in one hour and forty five minutes and there are frequent services to Bristol and Exeter, the Midlands and the North. International airports at Bristol and Exeter are both within an hour’s drive and offer a wide range of national and European flights, with Bristol now also offering flights to the USA.
- Montys Court lies close to the Quantock Hills renowned for their excellent walking, riding and cycling and magnificent views are enjoyed from the heather topped beacons across to south Wales right around to the Brendons and Exmoor National Park. Montys Court is perfectly situated for the equestrian buyer with the parkland adjoining the Pontispool Equestrian Centre with excellent facilities including an all-weather arena, all-weather gallops, and cross country courses offering over 200 jumps. Exmoor, known for its many commercial pheasant shoots, is also home to Wimbleball Lake providing good dinghy sailing, canoeing and wind surfing and walking. Racing can be enjoyed at Taunton, Wincanton and Exeter and there are many well respected Golf Clubs within an hour’s drive. Watchet, Minehead and Porlock, all set along the West Somerset Coast, provide beaches and traditional inns.
Additional information
- SERVICES: Mains water and electricity. Mains Gas fired central heating. Private drainage. Cat 5/6 cabling. Superfast Broadband. The property also has a comprehensive fire detection system, an intruder alarm system, CCTV, a telephone exchange and a partial distributed sound system (Russound).
- VIEWINGS: Strictly by prior appointment with Savills.
- FIXTURES & FITINGS: Only those mentioned in these sales particulars are included in the sale. All others such as curtains, light fittings, garden ornaments, etc. are specifically excluded but may be available by separate negotiation.
- IMPORTANT NOTICE: Savills, their clients and any joint agents give notice that:
- 1. They are not authorised to make or give any representations or warranties in relation to the property either here or elsewhere, either on their own behalf or on behalf of their client or otherwise. They assume no responsibility for any statement that may be made in these particulars. These particulars do not form part of any offer or contract and must not be relied upon as statements or representations of fact.
- 2. Any areas, measurements or distances are approximate. The text, images and plans are for guidance only and are not necessarily comprehensive. It should not be assumed that the property has all necessary planning, building regulation or other consents and Savills have not tested any services, equipment or facilities. Purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise.
- Directions: Directions: Leaving Taunton in a north westerly direction, taking the B3227 at Cross Keys roundabout. Proceed through the village of Norton Fitzwarren and after passing over a railway bridge, proceed for another mile and on a sweeping left hand bend, the main entrance into Montys Court will be found on the left. Taunton Centre about 3.5 miles, M5 Motorway (junction 25) about 6 miles, Exeter about 34 miles, Bristol about 47 miles.
- EPC Exempt
- Tenure: Freehold
- Council Tax Band: G
