Fortnight Farm Manor - Gorgeous country retreat close to Bath

Summary

Autumn discounts for the remaining dates in October & November 24 A Stunning Villa for 14 in a peaceful Somerset valley with 7 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms and 3 Living rooms. 2 luxurious double bedrooms with 6' beds and both with en-suite bathrooms. 3 designer twin bedrooms, each with two single 3'beds (which can become 6' doubles) 2 charming double bedrooms with 4'6” double beds. 3 gorgeous additional bathrooms and a cloakroom 3 stylish living areas and a games room. Lovely terraces and private grounds. 15 minutes to Bath by car. Awarded plum guide certificate of excellence.
Fortnight Farm Manor
Built in 1742, this handsome Georgian house of honey-coloured stone has evolved over the centuries from simple farmhouse to a large, sophisticated and contemporary family home where you can bond together as a group or indulge in some private pamper time. Re-imagined in a Mediterranean style, this accommodating house encompasses a central sun terrace with outdoor table and chairs for 14 and a BBQ, which makes the most of the lovely rural setting and is a natural magnet for the whole group in fine weather. This sunny, south-west facing outdoor space makes a relaxing place for a morning coffee and papers, a natural re-charging hub for roaming kids grabbing a snack, an ideal hot spot for a catch-up over tea and cake, and a romantic rendezvous when raising your glass in a toast over dinner. Finally, at the end of the day, it's just heavenly for star gazing with your favourite tipple.

The main house has a large lobby, several welcoming lounges, and a cloakroom on the ground floor, with 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms above, whilst the renovated west wing with French doors onto the terrace, has a fine contemporary kitchen and breakfast room, with 2 bedrooms and a bathroom above. Opposite the kitchen, and off the main lobby, is a bright and airy south-east facing orangery, providing an elegant dining area, with an entrance into the walled garden to one side. Garden paths lead around the house to a large north-east facing terrace with outdoor loungers and stone seating. A gravelled path takes you farther up into the grounds where a large field is good for playing sports or for a marquee for any special events.

Inside the house, the ground floor spaces have been re-arranged to comfortably accommodate 21st century life. A new entrance at the centre of the house opens into a large lobby from where you can access the chic contemporty kitchen, a lavish TV room, a bar, drawing room and a cloakroom. Old and new come together seamlessly with smooth travertine stone floors, limed oak furniture and luxurious natural fabrics throughout. There are fine linen and velvet drapes alongside modernist artworks, little stone mullioned windows in decadent bathrooms and winding staircases up to designer bedrooms in jewel rich colours. Every room glows with colour and detail, inspiring room names in the precious stones which they most resemble.

The Kitchen
The former stable has been transformed into a contemporary linear kitchen and breakfast room in classic grey-green with travertine stone tile flooring. Pale oak wall units have been paired with grey stone tops and smooth drawers for a polished and seamless look. There are two pairs of French doors opening onto the terrace, making it easy to serve spontaneous outdoor meals. A smart central island has a large 4 ring induction hob and combines a preparation area and breakfast bar with 4 oak stools, whilst a modern green velvet winged chair is a snug spot for your favourite brew. The wall units have 2 programmable electric ovens, one of which can be a used as a microwave, also a large fridge, a separate freezer and a dishwasher. On the countertop is a Nespresso coffee machine with some coffee pods provided. The soft close cupboards contain a generous stack of crockery, glassware and cooking equipment.

The Breakfast Room
The breakfast area has a long limed oak table to seat 14 in total, with a rustic oak chair at both ends and long padded benches to seat 12 on either side. There is a pretty dresser with a small TV and a sound bar above it that has integrated Alexa voice-controlled music. A large under-stairs storage cupboard has utility items and also a separate pantry cupboard. An open staircase leads up to the former hayloft with 2 lovely bedrooms and a shower room.

The Utility
A large separate utility and boot room has smart fitted units similar to the kitchen area. There is another large fridge and separate freezer, a sink, a washing machine and separate dryer, along with a couple of laundry baskets and plenty of storage. Welly boot stands and outdoor cushions are situated beside the back door.

Main Entrance/ground floor area
A simple and striking entrance has a large black and white photo, a cow-hide bench and an easy chair with a sheepskin rug. A vestibule with a long console, decorative lamps and gothic mirror has doors to the living rooms, a boiler room, and an outer door to the north-east woodland and gardens. There is a large alcove with multiple coat hooks and a smart cloak room with a small hand-basin and WC with shelf space.

The Orangery
The sunny orangery has been elegantly styled as a dining room. There is subtle drama with 4 pairs of softly striped curtained French doors and a lantern skylight over a large washed oak dining table to seat 14. A shelved console sits against a warm stone wall with a trio of swirling monochrome prints.

The TV Lounge
This large luscious snug in teal and amber velvet invites you to snuggle in. A decorative oak sideboard with large lamps, picture lights and a free standing lamp create soft lighting washing over a low beamed ceiling. This is the oldest room of the original farmhouse and small symmetrical stone mullioned windows with original shutters and a large decorative fireplace all combine to create a cosy atmosphere. There is a large wall mounted TV screen with a soundbar and Netflix that can be comfortably viewed from a large sofa with chaise to seat 6 and a deep amber velvet armchair. On the wall are engaging artworks in complementary colours.

The Drawing Room
At the cocktail hour, a glamorous drawing room and library invites you to recline on 2 large amethyst sofas seating 6 and 2 ample armchairs, grouped around a large central coffee table inset with drinks trays. This spacious room has a large lantern sky light above and 3 pairs of beautifully draped French doors leading out onto a stone terrace and woodland gardens with outdoor seating. A large working fireplace has a log basket and fire tools to create a merry blaze. Deep alcoves on either side have small sideboards, rosy lamps and shimmering mirrors. Bookcases on either side of the room have a large selection of novels, coffee table books and games, whilst romantic window seats with plump padded cushions and reading lamps will tempt you to linger.

The Bar room
Atmospheric and inky blue with handsome leather seating and a great bar, this is the place to gather for drinks after hours. There are 4 armchairs beside a grand original fire-place that now houses a cast iron wood-burning stove. Above the fireplace is a wall mounted TV with separate speakers. A long slate bar with 3 leather barstools has a shelf for drinks, a small sink, small fridge and plenty of storage for glasses, bottles and snacks. Next to a cool abstract print of Mick Jagger is an alcove cupboard, useful for storing wine and spirits.

The Bedrooms
The Vestibule of the main house has a steep winding staircase leading to 5 bedrooms. The 2 large principle bedrooms with en-suites are on the first floor, with 3 more bedrooms and 2 large bathrooms on the second floor under the eaves.
The Amber Suite
Live in luxury in the Amber Suite which has a hotel style bedroom, a separate dressing room and statement bathroom. This spacious, golden bedroom has an amber coloured velvet 6' double bed with a plush buttoned headboard, brass trimmed lamps and an upholstered blanket box at the foot. There are 3 deep windows overlooking the formal front garden and hillside to the south-east and a pair of teal club chairs with a footstool. Either side of a small electric coal effect fire, are 2 alcoves with a pair of matching chest of drawers and gold mirrors.

The walk-in dressing room has a narrow wardrobe with hanging room and a shelf above along with a deep wardrobe with hanging and shelving inside, along with a dressing table top and storage shelves under with a hairdryer provided.

The stunning spa-style bathroom features a sculptural stone resin freestanding bath, 2 stone resin wash bowls on a stone plinth, a large walk-in shower and WC. This tranquil room is tiled in smooth pale stone and pearlescent mosaic throughout. There are shelves above the hand-basin area for additional toiletries.

The Tourmaline Suite
This sumptuous bedroom features a handsome 6' double bed with a tall studded, dark blue velvet headboard and a fuchsia velvet armchair alongside. There is an original cast iron decorative fireplace and a window on either side overlooking the central terrace, the pony field and little valley beyond. A chest of drawers provides some storage with further storage facilities as part of the bathroom.

The dreamy bathroom is perfect for pampering. Luminous and spacious with windows on either side of the room, the natural organic shapes and pale stone flooring are easy and restful on the eye. There is a deep contemporary freestanding stone resin bath along with 2 similar oval hand basins resting on a stone plinth with wide oak storage drawers under. The large walk-in shower is tiled throughout in gentle pearlescent mosaic tiles and has a rainfall shower overhead. There is a large storage area behind the shower with hanging rails and drawers and mirrors.

The Opal Room
On the second floor is a spacious twin room in peach and teal with pretty marbled lamp shades. There are two single 3' beds that zip and link to become a 6' double. An ornate original cast iron fireplace has alcoves either side with a chest of drawers and a sweet pale pink velvet armchair with sheepskin throw. Some hanging space is provided on the wall.

The Pearl Room
This charming compact bedroom in shades of mauve and grey, has a 4'6” double bed, a chest of drawers in an alcove with a round mirror above and a little occasional chair with a cosy grey sheepskin thrown over.

Second Floor Bathroom A
These two rooms share a fabulous bathroom with an oval shaped, stone resin free-standing bath, 2 oval hand-basins on a stone plinth with oak drawers under, a large walk-in tiled shower and a WC.

The Topaz Room
On the half landing under the eaves is a large smart orange and blue twin room with two single 3' beds that zip and link to become a 6' double. Fitted wardrobes line one wall with plenty of hanging space, shelving and storage cubbies. There are two little windows with original shutters and a comfortable piped navy armchair beside a striking framed abstract and a chest of drawers.

Second Floor Bathroom B
Also under the eaves next to the topaz room is a lovely large linear bathroom, with an original oval stone feature window and little window seat. This very spacious and contemporary room has been beautifully tiled throughout and features a free-standing bath and a large walk-in shower. There is a large double hand-basin with a shelved alcove for additional toiletries and a WC.

The Ruby room
In the hayloft above the kitchen is a striking twin room with an apex roof and a unique oculus window at the gable end. The lofty ceiling is emphasised with dramatic ruby velvet headboards and tall turquoise lamps. Two single 3' beds zip and link to become a 6' double and opposite these is a comfortable armchair, a chest of drawers and hanging rail.

The Moonstone Room
Another charming double bedroom in the hayloft has a striking keyhole oculi with views of the countryside and a large window over the courtyard. Aqua colours run through the furnishings which comprise of a 4'6” double bed, a large built-in wardrobe with shelf space and a dressing table space along with an easy chair with cosy sheepskin throw.

The Hayloft Bathroom
Between the bedrooms is an elegant contemporary shower room, neatly arranged and smartly tiled in pale grey. There is an oval corner hand-basin with shelf space under, a walk-in shower and a WC.


The Games room
In a separate room away from the main house is a dedicated games room with large screen for Playstation PS 4, games and Netflix movies. There is comfortable seating and table football. The car port has a table tennis to hone those skills for an essential house tournament!

The Grounds
This lovely home is house is nestled within a steep sided wooded valley leading south to the small village of Combe Hay and surrounded by meadows, farms and open countryside. There are formal walled gardens to the front dating back to the 18th century, planted with box hedges, wisteria and climbing roses. A large terraced area off the kitchen and breakfast room has outdoor tables and seating for at least 14, bbq, a couple loungers and an umbrella. A stone path around the house leads to a second terrace outside the drawing room with 4 loungers, outdoor seating and stone steps to a raised lawn. A gravelled path with between yew trees goes into an apple orchard. A gap in the hedge leads into a large field with space for football, and rounders with vehicle access onto the historic track road once used by stone quarries. This area would also be suitable for a small marquee. The conservatory also has some outdoor seating. The house is south facing so benefits from the sun for much of the day.