Oakwood Farm, an eco-friendly contemporary home near Bruton, has to be one of the best modern country houses I have seen in my almost 20 years of estate agency.
Spanning an impressive 5,700 sq ft, this magnificent home is a masterpiece of design and craftsmanship, with sensational panoramic views towards King Alfred’s Tower. Built by The Green Oak Company, renowned for their exceptional attention to detail, the construction of this home is testament to their expertise. The property has been thoughtfully designed with sustainability in mind, including a ground source heat pump and private water source ensuring ultra-low running costs while reducing the environmental impact. Further enhancing the property’s green credentials, there is planning permission for solar panels.
As you step inside, you’re greeted by a grand entrance hall that sets the tone for the elegance and style found throughout. The interior boasts state-of-the-art fixtures and fittings and at the heart, an exquisite 900 sq ft Devol kitchen with pantry. The adjoining dining area is triple aspect with panoramic views across rolling Somerset countryside. At the other side of a secluded south-facing terrace courtyard is the drawing room, with a deep, stone fireplace and log burner, and there is a further sitting room and a family room providing an additional reception room or fifth bedroom. A large guest cloakroom, utility room and further WC complete the downstairs.
Upstairs, the galleried landing provides a spacious and light-filled area with fantastic views over the garden, lake and countryside beyond. The principal bedroom has a vaulted ceiling, French doors out to a private balcony and an en suite bathroom, also with vaulted ceiling and a free-standing bath. A second bedroom similarly has a vaulted ceiling and an en suite shower room, while two further bedrooms share the family shower room.
Oakwood Farm is set within almost 25 acres, including landscaped gardens and a large lake, with an impressive approach through tall stone pillars and gravelled parking to the front and side of the house. In addition to the main house is the former farmhouse, which has planning use as an agricultural barn, as well as a further large modern agricultural barn, and a timber-framed garage with open plan studio above.
What’s happening in the market?
This part of South Somerset is highly desirable for its access to beautiful countryside with renowned local attractions and good transport links.
The nearby town of Bruton in particular has seen a huge increase in popularity over the last few years thanks to an influx of art galleries, including the world-renowned Hauser and Wirth Gallery, as well as unusual shops and excellent quality restaurants and places to stay. While these have helped put Bruton on the map, don’t underestimate the lesser known lovely surrounding villages and their various pubs too.
The average house price (to August 2023) in Bruton itself was £407,493, some £32,000 above the Somerset county average of £375,087. And while prices in Bruton saw a dip of -2.1 per cent in the last year, which was to be expected after unprecedented growth since 2019, five year house prices have increased by a total of 31.5 per cent here, underlining the enduring appeal of the area.
Looking ahead, with much of the impact of inflation and interest rate rises now behind us, we are expecting the prime property market, broadly the top 5-10 per cent of a given market by value, to return to growth from the middle of this year. Prime house prices in the south are expected to fall by just -1.5 per cent this year, with 3.5 per cent growth in 2025 and total growth of 19.1 per cent by 2028, outperforming the regional average. We anticipate buyers seeing 2024 as an opportunity to move after a period of uncertainty.
