Myrtle House was built in 1867 by the great grandfather of the present owner. The house has been extensively and sympathetically renovated and modernised with the retention of many original features. The result is a comfortable and spacious family home. It stands surrounded by its own gardens, farm buildings and fields. There are also panoramic views of the Blackdown Hills to the west.
The house is situated in Horton, a quiet village 3 miles west of Ilminster. Ilminster is a small market town with a particularly splendid Parish Church in the Perpendicular Style, and a splendid old market house in the town square. Horton is joined to another village, Broadway. There are all the usual amenities: pubs (two serving food within 10 to 15 minutes walk), village store and post office. The nearest seaside resort is Charmouth (18 miles away). Lyme Regis and its Cobb (harbour, featured by Jane Austen in her book ‘Persuasion’) and five beaches, are also nearby. By car, Sidmouth and Weymouth (on the South Coast) are within easy reach- excellent beaches, particularly safe for small children. On the North Coast, Minehead can be visited using the steam train on the West Somerset Railway.
A useful local website can be found at the Ilminster Web, which contains a wealth of further information on community activities, events and services operating in the area.
Historical buildings and gardens in the immediate area
* Barrington Court – Beautiful Jekyll-inspired gardens and a Tudor manor house
* Forde Abbey and Gardens – An elegant former Cistercian Monastery set in 30 acres of gardens.
* Hestercombe House Gardens – Lovely gardens designed by Gertrude Jekyll and Edward Lutyens
* Cothay Manor – Renowned as the finest example of a small medieval manor house in England, this structure dates back to the 14th century
* Lower Severalls Gardens and Nursery – Enchanting gardens set in the rolling hills of South Somerset*East Lambrook Manor Gardens
Exploring the villages
- Dowlish Wake – with its Perry Cider mill; genuine ‘Scrumpy’ cider can be purchased.
- Hinton St George – famous for its Ham Stone buildings that date back over several centuries.
- South Petherton & Martock – Attractive small market towns that are well-worth exploring. Martock has a number of antique shops.
- Broadhembury (near Honiton) with its picturesque thatched houses.
For days out – all especially good for young children
- Cricket St. Thomas Wildlife Park
- Fun Farm Taunton
- Cheddar Gorge
- Wookey Caves
- Pecorama near the pretty little fishing village of Beer
- Also within reach (about 90 minutes by car), is the Eden Project
Historic Cities
- Bath, Exeter, Salisbury and Wells.
Sports
Eighteen-hole golf courses are available at Windwhistle near Chard, and Halstock, and also at Taunton (nine-hole). Horse riding is available.
Eating out
There are many pubs that provide good fare at reasonable prices and restaurants with very high standards. A penchant for cream teas? Hornsbury Mill is only 4 miles away and there are plenty of other such venues in the district.
Major Attractions
- The Fleet Air Arm Museum – at Yeovilton (7 miles from Yeovil). Open daily. For more information call (01935) 840565
- Haynes International Motor Museum – Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 7LH. Tel.(01963) 440804
- “The Swannery” at Abbotsbury, near Weymouth, is the only managed colony of nesting mute swans in the world
- The Bovington Tank Museum: Houses one of the best collections of tanks and armoured vehicles in the world. A must, for anyone with even a remote interest in the genre
Myrtle House 