Mill Copse

Montacute House & gardens [26]

A view along the former entrance drive. When first built, the east front was the principal entrance and there was a gatehouse where this gateway is sited. The gatehouse was demolished in 1785-87. The gateway, the turrets and the forecourt walls are listed, grade I, with details at: Link

Montacute House was built circa 1590-1601 and substantially altered in 1785-87. Constructed, to an ‘H’ plan, of Ham stone ashlar under Welsh slate roofs behind open balustraded parapets. Originally the principal entrance was the east front, but this was changed when the west front was added in the late 18th century. The interior retains much 17th century decoration and features. Edward Phelips, the original builder, was a rich lawyer and the family occupied the house until the end of the 19th century. In 1931 the property was purchased by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and presented to the National Trust. Listed, grade I, with details at: Link

The house sits within an estate of circa 270 acres (110ha) with about 10 acres (4ha) of formal gardens and pleasure grounds, the rest being parkland and ornamental plantations. The estate is on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens, grade I, and there is much history and detail at: Link

Montacute House & gardens [28]

This is one of three flights of stairs into the sunken garden, the stairs set on the axes of the pool and fountain ST4917 : Montacute House & gardens [29]. Possibly 16th century in part, remodelled in the 19th century. Constructed of Ham stone ashlar. Listed, grade II, with details at: Link

Turnpike Cottage, Montacute

A former Toll House on the corner of Woodhouse Lane and Yeovil Road, East of the village. It served the Ilminster Turnpike Trust in the 19ᵗʰ C. Cut Benchmark RHS 55.7m ASL. Milestone Society National ID: SO.MNC

Mr Red

Garden Pavilion, Montacute House, Somerset

David Lewis

Montacute House

The East facade glowing in the September sunshine.

Montacute House

This was the original front facade, east facing.

Part of the garden at Montacute, 1

Colourful border in the east garden.

Sunflower at Montacute

Living up to its name in the sunny East Garden.

Montacute House

The eastern side of the magnificent Elizabethan mansion.

Mark Percy

St. Mary the Virgin, Stoke sub Hamdon, Somerset

Built c1100, the original Norman church did not include the North and South transepts or the porch. It is thought that the North transept was built c1190 with the South transept, tower and porch being added in the early part of the 14th-century.

St. Mary the Virgin, Stoke sub Hamdon, Somerset

Built c1100, the Chancel and Nave formed the original Norman church.

St. Mary the Virgin, Stoke sub Hamdon, Somerset

Built c1100, the Chancel and Nave formed the original Norman church.

St. Mary the Virgin, Stoke sub Hamdon, Somerset

The Font - late 12th or early 13th Century. The inserted stone at the top replaced the original lock, which allowed the cover to be secure enough to protect the Holy water.

Hutchings & Cornelius bus passing the Phelips Arms, Montacute â 1971

H&C was a small family run bus company based at South Petherton, their main service being between that village and Yeovil. 633BYA is seen on that service passing through Montacute with the 18th century Phelips Arms in the background – compare with Link (without bus!). Relatively unusually for a small company, this bus was bought new, in 1958. It is a Dennis Loline with East Lancs body, and was one of only three Lolines to be bought by small independent operators. This is one of a series of views featuring buses in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Link

Alan Murray-Rust

Montacute House & gardens [22]

The west front of the house. Montacute House was built circa 1590-1601 and substantially altered in 1785-87. Constructed, to an ‘H’ plan, of Ham stone ashlar under Welsh slate roofs behind open balustraded parapets. Originally the principal entrance was the east front, but this was changed when the west front was added in the late 18th century. The interior retains much 17th century decoration and features. Edward Phelips, the original builder, was a rich lawyer and the family occupied the house until the end of the 19th century. In 1931 the property was purchased by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and presented to the National Trust. Listed, grade I, with details at: Link

Montacute House & gardens [23]

The entrance driveway, seen from the west front of the house. Montacute House was built circa 1590-1601 and substantially altered in 1785-87. Constructed, to an ‘H’ plan, of Ham stone ashlar under Welsh slate roofs behind open balustraded parapets. Originally the principal entrance was the east front, but this was changed when the west front was added in the late 18th century. The interior retains much 17th century decoration and features. Edward Phelips, the original builder, was a rich lawyer and the family occupied the house until the end of the 19th century. In 1931 the property was purchased by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and presented to the National Trust. Listed, grade I, with details at: Link

Montacute House & gardens [24]

The east front of the house which was originally the principal entrance. The patio, steps and decorative columns are 16th century. The patio is paved with Keinton stone slabs, with six plain steps down to the forecourt. There are a number of Tuscan stone columns now topped with electric lanterns. The patio is listed, grade II, with details at: Link