Beckington Estate, Frome, Somerset, England, UK

Beckington Estate is a superbly located country property in the south west of England. Nestled in a secluded valley that runs from the village of Beckington to Oldford, it is closest to Lullington village – reached on foot or by crossing the river Frome. Exceptionally private, with only one way in and out by car, this pretty property has a river running through the water meadows and is known for double-bank fishing and high bird pheasant shooting.

Location is excellent: the much-admired towns of Frome and Bruton are close by, and the elegant city of Bath is a 20-min drive, plus it’s far from Longleat and The Newt. It’s 2.5 hours by car into London but Westbury station is closest (12-min drive) and London Paddington is 1hr20. 

The main house, known as Horseshoe Lodge, is ideal for a large family has eight bedrooms and six bathrooms, all with quality fittings. Designed in a U-shape, the bedroom areas are cleverly separated on either side of the house for privacy (three on the right of the drawing room as you enter, three on the far side), plus another two upstairs lead off a mezzanine landing above the living room.  A gorgeous open-plan kitchen with exposed beams and plenty of light is the heart of the home, but a formal living room with a generous hearth leads to a spacious dining room. Pre-dinner drinks are often enjoyed in the tasting room or bar near the walk-in wine cellar.

The modernised, private cottage nearby has three bedrooms and two bathrooms and currently has a tenant. Both Horseshoe Lodge and the cottage overlook magnificent rolling hills and forests, with the sound of sheep and ducks adding to the idyll of living in the countryside.

There are multiple rental opportunities on the property. There is a commercial office and second industrial unit on the Estate, that is currently generating significant rental. In addition, planning permission is in process for an additional five-bedroom house to replace the grey industrial building, if the new owners wished to convert it. A property rental income forecast for this building as well as planning documents are available on request.

The cottage is equally ideal for long-term rentals but there’s also demand during the pheasant season and for private fishing. For the rest of the year, it’s superbly located for visitors to Longleat, the first safari park to open outside of Africa in 1966, and for those who want to visit stately Longleat House, built between 1567 and 1580. Today it’s the family home of 8th Marquess and Marchioness of Bath and is one of the finest examples of Elizabethan architecture. Likewise, guests staying at the cottage love visiting The Newt in Somerset to visit the hotel’s beautiful gardens and spa, or discover the art of cyder making and book a meal at the Farmyard Kitchen. In short, The Beckington Estate is a multi-faceted investment for a buyer looking at a versatile property that doubles as a beautiful country home and a business, but with easy access to London and Bath.

Specs:

• Land size: 145 acres (58.7 hectares)
• Horseshoe Lodge (736 m²):
  • 8 bedrooms
  • 6 bathrooms
  • temperature-controlled wine store
  • outdoor pizza oven, firepit area
• The Cottage:
  • 3 bedrooms
  • 2 bathrooms
• Commercial Unit: (379 m²)
• Industrial Unit: (464 m²)
• Shoot Lodge
• Zoning: Freehold
• Double bank fishing rights
• Property rental income forecast for 2023/2024 £202,000