Exmoor, Somerset, TA24

THE AGENT SAYS... Higher Eastcott Farm is a most impressive country residence combining a classic Somerset farmhouse alongside an outstanding first-class equestrian facility and surrounding land approaching 45 acres. This beautifully authentic farmhouse is superbly positioned with views from every picture window. The farmhouse is south facing, full of light, and enjoys a blend of period charm and modern living convenience. It is warm and inviting, and once you’ve stepped inside gives a feeling of never wanting to leave. The kitchen is clearly the hub and heart of this country home, with its bespoke cabinetry and work tops. A white Aga nestled in a former bread oven and limestone flooring throughout. A same design, smaller second kitchen adjoins the main and is the perfect answer to entertaining as it accommodates an electric oven, a second dishwasher, sink unit and many fitted cupboards. Adjoining this is a good-sized larder/pantry with stonework areas and lots of shelving where groceries are stored. It also houses an original meat cooler cupboard and a large free-standing freezer. Adjacent to the kitchen, the breakfast room doubles as a cosy office space, where the owner’s desk looks out to the stone patio area of the gardens through French doors. RECEPTION ROOMS The slate floor utility room leads off the back hallway. It comprises of lots of cupboard space with open shelving. everything designed for neatness. The worktops here are in granite grey with fitted sink units, underneath there is a washing machine and dryer. The hallway also leads to the farmhouse office. This is the larger office which houses book cupboards, filing cabinets and an executive desk. There is access from the office to a cloakroom with a shower, mostly used for clients, visitors and staff. The hallway from the front door also leads to the drawing room, that’s used mostly for more formal occasions. It has a feature fireplace and an electric wood burner beneath an old oak beam. This room has a special feel, it’s a beautiful, light and sunny place that remains so all the year round, and the view from this elegant entertaining room is of shrubs and trees in the well-established garden. Through mahogany French, beveled glass doors there is the last of the downstairs rooms. A cosy living room again with a working stone fireplace, and the stove inside electric. Fine art on the thick stone painted walls, it has a quiet atmosphere, looks out to the windows of the dining room and is a place to relax. DINING ROOM The elegant dining room faces south with parquet floor and its picture windows look out to the formal garden; all three of the reception rooms connect through dividing glass and oak doors. DRAWING ROOM In the drawing room there is a feature fireplace beneath an old oak beam and the view from the sumptuous couches is of shrubs and trees in the well-established garden. ACCOMODATION The master bedroom has a view of pastures green and post and rail paddocks, where horses quietly graze. It has an en suite bathroom with a shower and another larger bathroom with skylights making it bright and airy. Just down the hallway there are two guest bedrooms, one that is smaller with a hand basin and the other with an en suite and its own set of wall-to-wall custom-built cupboards, similar to the master closet. There are several attics in the farmhouse, two with access from downstairs. The upstairs attic has a drop-down ladder, which leads to the attic space and here is a considerably sized built in pine clothes storage wardrobe. Much like a Wendy House. The owner had planned for a larger conversion to become a third floor in this space. On the ground floor, there is a further guest bedroom, with a cloakroom opposite. ESTATE GARDENS AND GROUNDS The property is approached along a quiet country lane leading through a secure gated entrance opening onto an extensive parking and turning area to the front of the farmhouse which has a large car port and two pine cabins, currently used for storage. Set within a glorious private garden with wonderful mature borders, which edge a levelled lawn and are filled with a variety of ornamental trees, shrubs, flowering roses and herbaceous plants offering colour and interest throughout the year. There is direct access from the dining and drawing rooms to the garden. Beyond the more formal gardens and down steps, there is a garden of oversized varying attractive trees and shrubs including a vibrant red acer and mature pine trees, at the end of the garden, an iron pagoda. Meandering through an iron tresselled pathway leads to a small gate, and what used to be an orchard has been left wild, and with its spring water stream is the perfect habitat for wildlife. The estate is surrounded by the protection of its own land, which offers seclusion and privacy. Beyond all of this, elevated views stretch out across undulating hills and glorious open countryside of Exmoor National Park. THE COTTAGE Beside the main house is a worker’s cottage to include a fully fitted kitchen, sitting room, bedroom and bathroom. THE STUD KEY FEATURES • First class equestrian facilities • Extensive range of outbuildings • Separate access with yard • Indoor stable yard • Over 40 loose boxes • Bespoke horse walker for 5 horses • Two tack rooms • Superb 35 x 20 metre indoor riding arena • Further outside menage area • Large hay barn • 8 outside stables • Workshop with exterior stone staircase The current owner has been running a professional and specialised equestrian business from the farm with first-class equestrian facilities. This has its own access with a double gated entrance opening onto a large concrete yard with parking available for multiple vehicles, horse boxes and lorries. There is an extensive range of outbuildings totalling over 29,000 sq. ft. This comprises an indoor stable yard with more than 40 boxes, a bespoke indoor Claydon horse walker for 5 horses, two tack rooms and an indoor 35 x 20 metre floodlit riding arena where annually, events have taken place showcasing their magnificent competition horses. In addition, there is an outside menage and haybarn and paddocks surrounding the equestrian barns and a pretty walkway leads through a single gate to the first field. All 40+ acres of fields have either post and rail fencing or natural protected hedgerows, and each are named after trees… There is a further old stone building near the main farmhouse and original stables, workshop and storage rooms underneath a large, beamed attic room that once was a hay loft, a stunning place that begs conversion. There is a grass area near the lane side shrouded by tall trees with its own gate entrance. Here once stood a staff accommodation caravan that the owners decided to have taken away. The National Park however were open to this area with application for a log cabin build or Shepherds hut. The owners has said that for the right buyer, there would be the opportunity of privately selling the equestrian business as a going concern, including some of the precious mares and breeding stock. COMMUNICATIONS Access to the M5 motorway is found on the edge of Taunton at Junction 26 (18 miles), or Bridgwater at Junction 23 (23 miles) and Bristol Airport is within 45 miles. SERVICES Private water, private drainage and mains electricity Recently installed in the property is underground fibre optic cabling, which provides optimum fast internet access. LOCAL AUTHORITY Somerset Council Tax Band G EPC Rating F