
Old Bowlish House, Shepton Mallet, Somerset
A visit which keeps on revealing. Built around 1618, this Grade II* clothier’s mansion was modernised by the Georgians c.1735 and the Victorians c.1860. A Palladian frontage and stone mullioned rear windows are two of the external features which enclose finely proportioned rooms, original fireplaces and a magnificent heavily-carved Jacobean openwork scroll oak staircase which winds through all three of its floors.
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Originally built as both a family home and the visible expression of the wealth of a branch of the Strode dynasty, which owned the late medieval sheep farm after which the locality is named, the house saw a tempestuous history in the Civil Wars, during the 18th and 19th centuries and when occupied by the Navy in the second world war.
Today, the house is very much a family home, having been lovingly renovated by the Keys family, and has been featured in both Period House and Period Living magazines as well as on BBC Radio Somerset. You will leave your visit understanding an unexpected tapestry of wool, wars, Huguenots and a ghost or two.
Tour features
Owner-narrated tour of the exterior: five moderate-sized gardens, (each with its own challenges including a large ruin); workers’ homes; former industrial buildings and other remains in the hamlet; and interior: lots of original features, fine furniture and memorable art, as well as a thoroughly-researched architectural, locality and occupant history.
December tours include house decorated for Christmas with Jacobean, Georgian and Victorian examples. Sample seasonal food, music and readings from each period. Log fire.
Testimonial
Directions
The house is ½ mile outside Shepton Mallet off the road to Wells and about 20 miles south of both Bath and Bristol.
It is served by bus routes which run between Shepton Mallet and Wells. The nearest train station is Castle Cary, approximately 10 miles to the south-west and a car journey of about 20 minutes. The closest airport is Bristol, a journey of about 40 minutes by car.
Location map
Useful information
Price | £14.00 |
Duration | 2.5 hours |
Refreshments
Cream tea. December tours include seasonal food.
Special restrictions
No dogs. Because our properties are old and fragile, unfortunately we cannot include children under 14.
Disabled access
Ground floor only.
Tour dates
Date Time Availability
Tue 15 May
2:30 pm
Spaces available
Wed 13 Jun
2:30 pm
Spaces available
Thu 19 Jul
2:30 pm
Spaces available
Tue 14 Aug
2:30 pm
Spaces available
Wed 12 Sep
2:30 pm
Spaces available
Thu 20 Dec
2:30 pm
Spaces available
Booking
To book a tour of this property on one of the tour dates click the tour booking button below. To request a group visit of this property with your party or club on a specific date click the Request a group visit button.
Go to tour booking
Request a group visit
Date | Time | Availability |
Tue 15 May | 2:30 pm | Spaces available |
Wed 13 Jun | 2:30 pm | Spaces available |
Thu 19 Jul | 2:30 pm | Spaces available |
Tue 14 Aug | 2:30 pm | Spaces available |
Wed 12 Sep | 2:30 pm | Spaces available |
Thu 20 Dec | 2:30 pm | Spaces available |
Booking
To book a tour of this property on one of the tour dates click the tour booking button below. To request a group visit of this property with your party or club on a specific date click the Request a group visit button.
Go to tour booking Request a group visit