Historic Somerset country house hotel and estate for sale

The 18th century manor house sits within 51 acres and comprises a total of 17 guest bedrooms, the majority of which enjoy en suite facilities, plus a substantial dining room, commercial kitchens, library, sitting rooms and ancillary areas. Well maintained throughout the years, the four-storey property, which is currently vacant, still boasts many of its impressive original features, including wood panelling, fireplaces and Doric-style columns.

Enjoying a unique and idyllic setting in private grounds, the 51 acres of Alfoxton Park Estate offer lawns, woodland, a deer park, swimming pool and a tennis court, plus additional farm buildings and a cottage on site which could be utilised for further accommodation purposes. Nestled in the Quantock Hills, the first area in England to be classified an Outstanding Area of Natural Beauty, the site offers a scenic setting which also benefits from easy road access to nearby cities Bristol, Taunton and Exeter.

Lending itself to a variety of uses, the vastness of the estate and the main property offers an opportunity for a new owner to develop the site to suit their purpose, subject to planning permission. Permission was granted in 2011 for change of use from a hotel to a single dwelling, but equally the property is equipped to remain operational as a leisure and hospitality destination.

Having enjoyed a rich history, the estate was previously owned by the St Albyn family for many years, had housed American troops during World War II, and had been the site for Wellington House School. The house was also home to English romantic poet William Wordsworth during his friendship with Samuel Taylor Coleridge and the estate is said to be the inspiration behind the romantic movement in England. The main library was the setting of the first reading of the famous poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, the longest poem Coleridge wrote which was later adapted into a feature film.

Richard Thomas, Business Agent at Christie & Co who is handling the sale comments, “It is always exciting when such a rare and historic property is introduced to the market and with its idyllic West Somerset location, we anticipate a high level of interest from a variety of parties across the leisure sector. Of course, there is also potential to convert the site into a residential dwelling, and as a blank canvas there are endless opportunities for a new owner to embark on.”

Christie & Co is marketing the freehold interest of Alfoxton Park Estate at a guide price of £2,000,000.