Splendid, beautiful and frankly enormous Cotswolds country house once home to the Duke of Beaufort’s son
Penny Churchill takes a look at Tormarton Court, a magnificent country house for sale near Badminton.


There is no better address in the Cotswolds than that of the Duke of Beaufort’s Badminton estate in south-west Gloucestershire, so country-house buyers will note the relaunch onto the market, after a campaign interrupted by the pandemic, of pristine, Grade II-listed Tormarton Court in the village of Tormarton, which was once part of the Badminton estate.
Selling agent Savills quote a guide price of £5.95m for the imposing Cotswold-stone house, set in more than 10 acres of gardens and grounds.
According to its listing, the property originally dates from the 16th century, with alterations from the 17th and 18th centuries, but the present house is largely based on the remodelling that took place in 1812 for the Duke of Beaufort’s son, Lord William Somerset, who was rector of St Mary Magdalene Church that stands opposite the former rectory.
The main house offers 14,778sq ft of beautifully proportioned living space on three floors, including six reception rooms, seven bedrooms and five bathrooms.
Fine period features are present in abundance, including panelled doors, delicate cornicing, fanlights, original stone floors, working fireplaces and a central hall with a roof lantern that leads to all the main reception rooms.
The court’s immaculate gardens, previously open to the public as part of the National Garden Scheme, include a central walled garden — now fully restored — a Mediterranean-style courtyard garden and, leading from the main reception rooms, extensive formal gardens with herbaceous borders, a rose garden and terraces designed to capture the evening sun.
Away from the main house, a large period stone barn has been converted to modern offices, currently rented out, that add to the mixed-use status of the property; there is also approval in principle to convert to residential use.
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Also arranged as office space is the coach house, a handsome set of buildings with dual commercial and residential planning consent, which would make good additional residential accommodation, the agents suggest.
Tormarton Court is for sale at £5.95 million via Savills — see more pictures or enquire with the agent for further details.
Tormarton: What you need to know
- Location: Situated in South Gloucestershire, on the border with Wiltshire, Tormarton has excellent transport links and it’s about half an hour’s drive from both Bath and Bristol.
- Atmosphere: Set in beautiful countryside, this picturesque village has an array of Cotswold stone properties.
- Things to do: The Cotswold Way provides great opportunities for walking. There's also racing and rugby at Bath and Cheltenham, golf at Castle Combe and of course the International Horse Trials at Badminton and polo at Cirencester and The Beaufort Polo Clubs.
- Schools: Nearby Kitebrook House prep school is only 3 miles away. Chipping Norton, Chipping Campden and Stratford Grammar are all well regarded in the state sector and there’s an array of excellent independent schools in oxford and Cheltenham.Find more properties 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
-
The dream home that never was for one of Britain's greatest film stars, back on the market for the first time in half a century
Anna White takes a look at the beautiful Wallers Mead, in the Buckinghamshire village full of links to Hollywood movies from James Bond to Star Wars.
By Anna White Published
-
Country Life Quiz of the Day, September 16, 2025 gets Brutal(ist)
Divisive architecture is among the themes of today's quiz questions.
By Country Life Published
-
The dream home that never was for one of Britain's greatest film stars, back on the market for the first time in half a century
Anna White takes a look at the beautiful Wallers Mead, in the Buckinghamshire village full of links to Hollywood movies from James Bond to Star Wars.
By Anna White Published
-
A 500-year-old cottage in West Sussex that's as beautiful as you could ever hope to see, with a pool ringed by flowers, stables and a croquet lawn
James Fisher was in need of some balm for the soul when he came across Woodshill House.
By James Fisher Published
-
A Clarkson's Farm of one's own: Five properties with just enough farmland for you and your family, from under £1 million
Moving to the country is one thing; moving to the country and being able to grow and rear all your own food is another level entirely, and all these properties offer exactly that.
By Arabella Youens Published
-
Six superb homes, from chocolate box cottages to grand Tudor mansions, as seen in Country Life
Our regular round-up includes charming home counties houses and superb grand country house in Ireland.
By Toby Keel Published
-
A billionaire's thatched cottage is for sale in Surrey, once owned by the oil magnate J. Paul Getty
Chestnut Cottage is a joyous little home — albeit one with the most unusual bedrooms to acreage to price balances we've ever seen. Toby Keel takes a look inside.
By Toby Keel Published
-
Medieval Italian? 19th century French? 16th century German? You're spoilt for choice if you're looking to buy a gorgeous continental castle
From hills of Italy to a Bavarian palace, Toby Keel takes a look at three of the finest castles for sale across Europe today.
By Toby Keel Published
-
How to buy a house at auction
Buying at auction can mean you secure your dream property for a bargain price, but preparation is the key
By Annabel Dixon Last updated
-
The homes of two 1980s TV icons are both up for sale at the same time
The houses where Bob Monkhouse and Sir Terry Wogan spent decades of their lives are currently on the market. Annabel Dixon takes a look.
By Annabel Dixon Published