For Sale8 Bedroom Detached House in Upper High Street, Castle Cary, Somerset, BA7£2,850,000

Set in a peaceful haven of gardens and grounds, you would be forgiven for not knowing that this gorgeous eighteenth century Grade II listed Georgian house existed behind elegant iron gates, a mere stone’s throw from a seafood restaurant, an art gallery and a collection of delightful boutiques in the heart of Castle Cary. Built in 1760 in the classical style typical of the period, Cary Place creates an imposing first impression with its symmetrical, double fronted Hamstone façade, complete with pediment and oeil-de-boeuf window. During their thirteen year tenure, the current owners have thoroughly renovated and tastefully decorated the property, resulting in an extremely comfortable and elegant home reminiscent of a country house. On the ground floor, a series of well-proportioned reception rooms offer ample opportunities for entertaining friends as well as for family living. Enjoying a southerly aspect, high ceilings and well-proportioned rooms, the house is flooded with natural light and benefits from wide bay windows with seats in the drawing and dining rooms. For more informal living, there is a comfortable sitting room just off the open plan kitchen with a wood burner, room for sofas and a large dining table and access to the terrace. The delightful farmhouse style kitchen features painted wall and floor cabinets, wooden floor and worktops, ceramic Belfast sink and a four-oven gas Aga (cream) with additional electric oven/grill and hob. A central island with marble top provides ample food preparation and storage space. The comfortable snug/study with woodburner and access to the terrace completes the ground floor, where further space to the rear of the house could be acquired from Laundry Cottage, if desired.<br/><br/>From the spacious, double height entrance hall, the grand staircase rises to a galleried landing leading to five beautifully presented bedrooms each with their own bathroom or shower room. There are a further two bedrooms and a bathroom in Laundry Cottage under the current configuration which could be assimilated back into the main house if desired. <br/><br/>LAUNDRY COTTAGE<br/>The flexible layout at Cary Place is configured such that there is an integral but separate cottage ideal for use as an annexe or guest accommodation. The ground floor comprises a sitting room, kitchen with French doors onto a terrace, shower room and bedroom. There is a bedroom on the first floor and a further bedroom with ensuite bathroom on the second floor.<br/><br/>THE COACH HOUSE<br/>The Coach House has been partially renovated to include plumbing and a three phase electrical supply, with various uses in mind, including a cookery school. The owner acquired planning permission (now lapsed) for a one bedroom unit and a two to three bedroom two storey unit in this characterful space, which is of good size and proportions for numerous uses.<br/><br/>GARDEN <br/>The gardens at Cary Place envelop the property in a haven of private tranquillity. A gravel drive sweeps up from the gates past mature shrubs and a glorious copper beach to a turning area bordered by a formal lawn. Box hedging and bay topiary frame the front of the house which is adorned with wisteria, while a formal beach hedge creates the boundary with the side garden which is mostly laid to lawn, featuring a cluster of ornamental birch trees and borders stocked with flowering shrubs and perennials, with roses climbing the garden walls. A sheltered terrace, accessed from the sitting room, offers space for outdoor entertaining and relaxation. An arched gateway in the garden wall leads into an absolutely charming, professionally designed parterre garden, arranged around a central rill and planted with specimen crab apples, box balls, grasses and a hedge of hydrangea “Annabelle”, while several ornamental pears line the wall on the eastern side. To the rear, there is a small walled garden with a former cold frame and space for perhaps a vegetable plot, while an orchard provides a pretty outlook for The Coach House. Further gravel parking is available at the side by The Cottage and The Coach House. <br/><br/>Cary Place presents a fabulous opportunity to live in a stunning house in great comfort, style and privacy, with glorious gardens and flexible accommodation in the centre of a most desirable small town with fast connections to London. <br/><br/>LOCATION<br/>It is small wonder that Sir Nikolaus Pevsner, the eminent architectural historian, described Castle Cary as Somerset's prettiest town. The centre, which is in a Conservation Area, is dominated by period buildings constructed, in the main, of the distinctive honey coloured local stone and boasts a number of traditional shops, excellent boutiques, a deli, restaurants, including the recently opened Lazy Lobster and The Creamery, three pubs and regular markets. Surrounding the town is unspoilt and lightly wooded undulating farmland, interspersed with delightful villages.<br/><br/>Communications to this part of the country are excellent. From Castle Cary there are regular train services to Paddington (1 hour 40) while nearby Templecombe is on the Waterloo line. The A303 is under fifteen minutes away and links with the M3, thus putting London within about two and a half hours' drive.<br/><br/>SPORTING AND RECREATION<br/>The area is well provided for with bridleways, quiet lanes, and footpaths suitable for cycling, riding and walking. Within close proximity lies the town of Bruton, which plays host to a plethora of attractions, cafes and restaurants, including recently opened Briar at No1 Bruton and the Michelin-starred Osip. The Hauser & Wirth gallery, garden, Da Costa restaurant and farm shop, are within a short drive. The Newt, now well renowned for its many first-class attractions, is also five minutes away. There is sailing and water sports on the Bristol Channel, Dorset coast or Sutton Bingham and Chew reservoirs. Nearby racing is at Wincanton, Salisbury and Taunton. There are also numerous golf courses in the area and theatres are at Bath, Yeovil, Bristol and Salisbury.<br/><br/>EDUCATION<br/>There are good schools for children of all ages within easy motoring distance. In Castle Cary there is a primary school and secondary education at Ansford Academy. Nearby, Bruton is well known for its schools, most notably King's Bruton and Sexeys School, a state day/boarding school. Hazlegrove Prep School at Sparkford and the Sherborne Schools Group offer further well-regarded private education.