An impeccably restored Elizabethan manor house with touches of everything from the 15th to the 21st centuries
Not far from Taunton, surrounded by rugged countryside, stands Langford Manor: An outstanding historic home which has been renovated to an exceptional standard.


The fertile Vale of Taunton Deane, bounded by west Somerset’s three hill ranges—the Brendons in the west, Quantocks in the east and Blackdowns in the south—is an area of rich soil and plentiful water, described in 1609 by cartographer and antiquary John Norden as ‘the great paradise of England’.
According to the Victoria County History, the manor of Taunton Deane provided ‘a princely income’ for its powerful manorial landowners, among them the bishops of Winchester, who owned it from the 10th century and built the great castle at Taunton.
The parish of Fivehead, nine miles east of Taunton, lies on a ridge of reclaimed land that stretches from the small town of Langport to the Blackdown Hills, and overlooks Sedgemoor, part of the Somerset Levels and the Vale of the Isles.
Fresh to the market through Strutt & Parker comes Grade II*-listed Langford Manor at Fivehead, an impeccably restored Elizabethan manor house built around a 15th-century core and set in 7½ acres of immaculate gardens and grounds with views over open countryside. Selling agent Oliver Custance Baker quotes a guide price of £5 million.
According to its Historic England listing, there has been a house on the site since at least the 13th century. The present house is built on a double E-plan with a central 15th-century, east-west range; it was enlarged and remodelled in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, substantially restored in 1905 and again in the 20th and 21st centuries.
In 1518, the manor was left to the Dean and Canons of Exeter Cathedral who owned it until about 1860, during which time it was mainly occupied by tenant farmers.
During the latter part of the 19th century, Langford Farm, as it was then known, was left to deteriorate and became largely uninhabitable. In 1904, the estate was acquired by the Matterson family, who commissioned London architect Rupert Austin to renovate the house. In the mid 20th century, the house was split into two, but later reverted to a single dwelling and, more recently, an upmarket B&B.
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
The present owners have updated and refurbished the manor, which now offers more than 8,000sq ft of living space on three floors, including four main reception rooms, a study, library and kitchen/breakfast room, with the principal bedroom suite and four further bedrooms on the first floor and a self-contained apartment on the floor above. It comes with a lodge and three-bedroom cottage.
Approached through wooded parkland along a sweeping driveway, Langford Manor is wonderfully secluded and private. A range of stone outbuildings provides garaging and storage, whereas a large courtyard behind the house is perfect for outdoor dining. Also within the grounds is a tennis court, croquet lawn and Victorian greenhouse rebuilt to its original design.
Langford Manor is currently on the market via Strutt & Parker with a guide price of £5 million — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details.
Fivehead: What you need to know
Location: In the heart of Somerset, just under 10 miles east of Taunton and 20 miles from Yeovil, north of the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Rail services are available from Taunton, and there is excellent access to the M5 and A303.
Atmosphere: The quiet, rural village benefits from a close community, centred around the local churches, village hall and local pub.
Things to do: Explore the surrounding countryside and the Quantock Hills, or take a trip into Taunton to visit its parks and gardens, do a spot of shopping and enjoy the excellent restaurants on offer.
Schools: Curry Mallet Church of England Primary School is rated 'outstanding' by Osted and Hambridge Community Primary School is rated 'good.' There are excellent independent options in the area with Taunton School, Millfield School, King's College and The Castle School.
See more property for sale in the area.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
-
Graham Norton's elegant East London home hits the market, and it's just as wonderful as you would expect
The four-bedroom home in Wapping should be studied for how well it uses two separate spaces to create a home of immense character and utility.
By James Fisher Published
-
Sign of the times: In the age of the selfie, what’s happening to the humble autograph?
When Ringo Starr announced that he was no longer going to sign anything, he kickstarted a celebrity movement that coincided with the advent of the camera phone and selfie. Rob Crossan asks whether, in today’s world, the selfie holds more clout than an autograph?
By Rob Crossan Published
-
Graham Norton's elegant East London home hits the market, and it's just as wonderful as you would expect
The four-bedroom home in Wapping should be studied for how well it uses two separate spaces to create a home of immense character and utility.
By James Fisher Published
-
About time: The fastest and slowest moving housing markets revealed
New research by Zoopla has shown where it's easy to sell and where it will take quite a while to find a buyer.
By Annabel Dixon Last updated
-
A wisteria clad hall built by one of the founders of the Bank of England
Come for the history of Old Hall. Stay for the interesting interiors.
By Annabel Dixon Published
-
A gorgeous Scottish cottage with contemporary interiors on the bonny banks of the River Tay
Carnliath on the edge of Strathtay is a delightful family home set in sensational scenery.
By James Fisher Published
-
Six rural properties with space, charm and endless views, as seen in Country Life
We take a look at some of the best houses to come to the market via Country Life in the past week.
By Toby Keel Published
-
380 acres and 90 bedrooms on the £25m private island being sold by one of Britain's top music producers
Stormzy, Rihanna and the Rolling Stones are just a part of the story at Osea Island, a dot on the map in the seas off Essex.
By Lotte Brundle Published
-
A home cinema, tasteful interiors and 65 acres of private parkland hidden in an unassuming lodge in Kent
North Lodge near Tonbridge may seem relatively simple, but there is a lot more than what meets the eye.
By James Fisher Published
-
A rare opportunity to own a family home on Vanbrugh Terrace, one of London's finest streets
This six-bedroom Victorian home sits right on the start line of the London Marathon, with easy access to Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
By James Fisher Published