Location

Selwood Manor enjoys a private, secure setting in an elevated rural position on the edge of the historic market town of Frome, just a 15-minute walk via a public footpath. A tarmac cycle path also provides a convenient route directly into the town centre.

Frome is a vibrant and characterful town, regularly featured by The Sunday Times and other publications as one of the best places to live in the UK. It offers a diverse mix of independent shops, supermarkets, and an excellent choice of cafés and restaurants. Cultural life thrives here, with highlights including the Frome Festival, which celebrates the arts, music, history, and nature. The town also boasts a charming independent cinema, The Black Swan Arts Centre, and the renowned Cheese and Grain, a popular venue for live music and events.

Just a short drive away, the City of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is celebrated for its exquisite Georgian architecture and Roman heritage. As a regional cultural hub, Bath offers a wealth of recreational facilities, outstanding schools in both the state and independent sectors, and is home to two universities.

The local area is particularly well-regarded for its education options. Within a 20-minute drive are some of the region's most respected schools, including All Hallows Prep, Downside, Warminster, Wells Cathedral School, Bruton, and Millfield, along with Bath's Prior Park College and Monkton Combe School.

Nearby attractions include the exclusive Babington House (approx. 4 miles), the creative community and gallery at Bruton's Hauser & Wirth (approx. 11 miles), the beautifully restored estate at The Newt, and the mystical town of Glastonbury (approx. 20 miles).

Transport links are excellent, with regular mainline services from Frome to London Waterloo, and to London Paddington from both Westbury and Bath Spa. The M4 motorway is easily accessible at Junctions 17 and 18, providing connections to London, the Midlands, the South West, and Wales. Bristol Airport offers a range of domestic and international flight options.

Description

Selwood Manor is a distinguished Grade II listed Jacobean residence, constructed from mellow local stone and offering a unique blend of historical charm and modern luxury. The property has been meticulously restored by the current owners, including a substantial expansion of the accommodation.

Under the design direction of London-based designer Jonathan Cooper, the renovation included comprehensive upgrades to the property's services, as well as new roofing, the replacement of floors with high-quality oak and stone, structural beam reinforcement with steelwork, replastering, and refined interior finishes. High-specification bathrooms and a bespoke kitchen were installed, all completed to the highest modern standards.

Today, Selwood Manor and its accompanying buildings retain their Jacobean heritage while incorporating contemporary modern-day systems for plumbing, heating, electrics, data, and security.

The property is accessed via a picturesque private drive lined with stone walls and mature trees, and comprises four distinct residential units, two original structures and two new-builds, totalling approximately 11,000 sq ft of living space.

The main house is beautifully presented, featuring high ceilings, expansive garden views, and numerous period details such as exposed beams, leaded windows, original floors, an impressive oak staircase, grand fireplaces, and a cellar.

The ground floor provides an entrance porch and hall, four elegant and spacious reception rooms, a kitchen/breakfast room, pantry, utility room, and cloakroom.

The upper two floors offer a luxurious principal bedroom suite with dressing room and en suite bathroom, six additional double bedrooms, and five bathrooms.

Since the restoration began in 2008, the integrity of Selwood Manor's historical architecture has been carefully preserved while ensuring the home is fully equipped for contemporary family life.

Garden and Grounds

The gardens and grounds are very special and have been carefully landscaped to offer year-round colour, interest, and texture. They feature mature trees, ornamental shrubs, a delightful rose pergola, manicured lawns, climbing wisteria, and a productive kitchen garden. A paved terrace at the rear of the house leads to gently sloping lawns interspersed with magnolia and mature trees.

The heated outdoor swimming pool, located within a secluded walled garden, is a recent installation incorporating energy-efficient ground source heating, a modern pump system, and a state-of-the-art pool cover.

The estate also encompasses areas of woodland and pasture, with eco-conscious systems integrated throughout. Heating and cooling are provided via ground source heat pumps, supplemented by solar panels discreetly located in one of the fields.

Ancillary Buildings

Built in 2012, Cooper Hall offers highly versatile space suitable for music, business, or leisure use. It includes a professional cinema and gym, providing excellent secondary accommodation. Cooper Hall has long been an integral part of the local festival programme and has been bringing arts-lovers to Frome for many years.

The grounds also include:

• A charming two-storey traditional cottage, beautifully finished with two double bedrooms, two reception rooms, kitchen, bathroom, and a private garden.

• A newly built cottage, 'But and Ben', offers a traditional exterior and sleek, modern interior. It features a contemporary bedroom, kitchen, and expansive living area that opens onto a large deck with views over the surrounding fields and the River Frome.