A historically important Grade II listed house in 108 acres, with superb equestrian facilities
Noted in the Domesday Book and reputed to be on the site of one of the oldest houses in Wiltshire, Baycliffe Farm has a continuous history of occupation on the site since 1087.
Prior to the Norman Conquest, Baycliffe appears to have been the property of Tostig Godwinson, Earl of Northumberland and brother of King Harold.
At some point in the 13th Century, a charter of King Henry III records that the farm was granted to the Priory of Bradley. The Priory Chapel held tithes over Baycliffe Farm until 1662.
The property was severely damaged by Parliamentarian forces during the Civil War, when the house was attacked whilst the then resident, a staunch Royalist, was away attacking nearby Stourhead House, a Parliamentarian stronghold.
Nowadays, this remarkable stone and brick house under a thatched roof, sits in a tranquil position, surrounded by its own grounds, giving way to its grazing and woodland beyond. It is well configured, with nicely proportioned rooms.
The entrance hall offers access to the principal rooms. The dual-aspect dining room has shuttered stone mullion windows with window-seats and a fireplace with a wood burning stove. Wide steps lead down into the drawing room (formerly the Cheese Room, where cheese was produced). Again, this room benefits from shuttered stone mullion windows and a fireplace with a wood-burning stove. A dual-aspect sitting room has an open fire and shuttered stone mullion windows. The kitchen/breakfast room, with a flagstone floor, has bespoke hand-built cabinetry, Belfast sink and a solid oak work surface. This room boasts a large inglenook fireplace with a wood-burning stove. A stable door leads from the kitchen out to a sheltered rear courtyard garden, with access to the boiler room. A cloakroom, with separate WC, has flagstone floors, as does the spacious utility/laundry room, along with fitted cupboards, a sink and plumbing for a washing machine.
Upstairs, the galleried landing offers access to the principal bedroom. Adjacent to this is a work-in-progress' (previously two bedrooms) to create a magnificent principal suite with a planned balcony overlooking the swimming pool garden. Due to these works, there are currently a further three double bedrooms, one with en suite shower room and dressing room and one with en suite shower room, in addition to a family bathroom, with free-standing roll-top bath. Several of these rooms have stone mullion windows.
A small studio annexe with separate access adjoins the drawing room which could be connected, extending the overall square footage of the main house. The house has a large parking courtyard to one side, with a small lawn and rear access into the kitchen.
The gardens wrap around the remainder of the house. A walled vegetable garden includes a greenhouse with a vine, a brick double-ended potting shed and fruit cages. The heated swimming pool sits within its own walled courtyard garden and has a garden store/pump room to one side.
The adjacent courtyard garden has the beginnings of a pool changing room/WC. The main garden is part-walled and is laid mainly to lawn, with a pond and various mature trees and shrubs, including a spectacular magnolia.
Ancillary Accommodation and Buildings
Baycliffe Farm offers plentiful ancillary accommodation which was originally converted from a range of traditional brick agricultural buildings and suited to multi-generational living, staff accommodation or could be let out to generate a useful additional income. The additional properties include a three bedroom cottage, two bedroom cottage,two one bedrooms flats and a separate one bedroom wooden cabin. Sat within these traditional buildings also lies a car port and a large double-height Party Barn with vaulted ceilings.
Land and Equestrian Facilities
Baycliffe Farm boasts impressive equestrian facilities and has operated as a Racing Stud in recent years. Set adjacent to the house lies the front yard with twelve stables set around a picturesque central courtyard. Privately placed away from the house, with secondary road access, lies the main yard, where a range of converted agricultural buildings house American Barn style stabling, a large storage barn and an indoor menage / loose ring (in need of refurbishment). The property also benefits from a Monarch horse walker.
Sat within the traditional brick buildings and adjoining the cottages and party barn is a tack room with first floor one bedroom flat suitable for staff. These buildings also house an office, staff room and WC facilities with disabled access.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE REFER TO THE BROCHURE OR CONTACT GEOFFREY JONES ON 07870 387 700 OR PAUL CADGE ON 01722 426 880.
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