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.
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.
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