Hay Manor

Hay Manor is a welcoming Georgian country house, just outside Taunton, in Somerset. Its location and facilities make it ideal for weekend parties of friends and family, or for a longer holiday exploring the local area.

The house sleeps up to twenty guests in nine bedrooms with three en-suites, two shared bathrooms and a shared shower room and separate loo.

There are four super-king beds, three king size, one zip-lock double that can become two single beds, and a further super-king with an additional sofa bed.  

Downstairs, there’s a light and airy entrance hall, from which leads a large drawing room and a formal dining room. French windows lead from the dining room, out onto the garden. The drawing room has a baby-grand piano, and an open fire for cooler evenings.

There is a second sitting space in the library, and then heaven for gamers in the room beyond. The media room has three gaming chairs, sofas, a projector and sound system.

There are three kitchens, one is a breakfast kitchen, straight off the dining room, with coffee maker, fridges and crockery. The main kitchen lies beyond, with its electric Aga (there are two conventional ovens and hob as well), and centre island with tall stools, for kitchen pottering and chats. The third kitchen was once the butlers’ kitchen, and has another oven, should you need it.

There is also a boot room for mucky dogs and wellies, and a separate utility room.

Towards the back of the house, there is a fully-equipped gym (complete with full-sized punch bag, should anyone need to work off some family frustration), and a big games barn, with table tennis, basket ball hoops and a darts board.

The house sits within 28 acres, and the gardens wrap around the house. There is a terrace on the south side, with a seating area, barbecue and pizza oven. Across the lawn is the outdoor swimming pool, with sun loungers for hot days. There’s also an all-weather tennis court, and a full-sized football pitch, with goals at either end. There’s a double-height tree house in the spinney, with swings and a slide.

Edmund’s Choice of Extraordinary Feature

“Hay Manor is very much a house designed with fun-loving multi-generational guests in mind. The tree house is enchanting for any youngsters, and the media room really will delight big kids of all ages.”

About the Location

Hay Manor is just off the M5, about 6 miles from Taunton town centre. There is a main-line train station in Taunton, and a taxi from the station would take about 15 minutes to reach the house.

Things To Do

Taunton is a great base for enjoying outings in Somerset. There is Crealy Adventure Park at Exeter,  and high ropes at Vivary Park in Taunton. For keen gardeners and art enthusiasts, there’s Hestercombe House. For those hoping for a glamorous day out, there’s Taunton Race Course, which always has a full calendar of events.

There is extra accommodation available at a separate price, in the old stables, sleeping six.