The Farmhouse

Butcombe Farm is a typical Somerset house, complete with a 14th century 3-bay medieval open hall, once heated by an open hearth fire rising from the ground floor to the soot’d roof timbers.  The house is predominantly built of local materials, with beautifully coloured Mendip and Draycott stone, along with mullioned windows and door arches, and exposed timbers throughout.

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In the early 16th century, an additional 3 rooms were added to the house creating a master chamber.  Today the chambers still contain Tudor oak doorframes, arches and are accessed by a stunning worn spiral stone staircase.  A secret Priest hole has been discovered within this chamber.

 

Butcombe Farm itself has its own wood, ‘Hangman’s Wood’ so called as it is believed that George Jeffreys (the infamous Hanging Judge Jeffreys) hanged several people there in the 1680’s.  His brutal reign as Lord Chancellor under King James II led to 320 hangings, and the Judge was said to have lived at Butcombe Farm for a brief period.

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Today the farmhouse has several uses. When its not occupied by paying guests seeking a countryside retreat, the house dining and kitchen areas are often used for our wellbeing days. It offers a warm, dry environment where people can relax, learn and eat. With a pool and two hot tubs overlooking the Mendip hills, the farmhouse provides an important role in our wellbeing day activities.

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The upkeep of the house is vast. Whilst the private holiday cottage bookings help subsidise the running costs, we still depend on donations to help us maintain this important part of our charity provisions.

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To enquire about a wellbeing day for your organisation, please use the contact button below:

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