A sixteenth century residence within Taunton Castle's walls, now beautifully restored by the Somerset Building Preservation Trust into city centre accommodation for seven.
Opens in December 2013
Property
Facilities
History
Local Attractions
The accommodation at Castle House occupies the 1st and 2nd floors of the building. A private staircase from the ground floor brings guests to the first floor, which houses the spacious Tudor Hall, now a grand sitting room with views over the courtyard and a wood-burning stove in the fireplace.
Also on the first floor is a double bedroom and a cosy single bedroom. The bathroom on this floor has a large shower cubicle. There is also a separate cloakroom. Continuing along the corridor you reach the dining room which leads into the fully fitted kitchen, with floor to ceiling windows which overlook the hotel's garden.
On the second floor guests will find the master double bedroom, complete with luxurious four poster bed and chaise lounge, a modern bathroom with roll top bath and a further twin bedroom.
Throughout the building historic features have been carefully blended with modern elements.
Accessibility Entrance is via the Castle Hotel car park. A small set of shallow steps leads to the front door which opens into the entrance foyer. A further door leads to the stairwell for Castle House. All accommodation is on the first and second floors. Dog Allowed - Yes
Heating Gas central heating throughout, plus a wood-burning stove in the Tudor sitting room.
Facilities All Vivat Trust properties have a TV, DVD player and CD player plus fully equipped kitchens with oven & hob, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, microwave and washing machine. In addition Castle House provides the following facilities.
Washer dryer Bath with shower attachment Cot & highchair available for infant Separate shower cubicle in 1st floor bathroom Four poster bed in the master double
The Castle Hotel The neighbouring hotel looks after the housekeeping at Castle House. If you require additional housekeeping services please contact the hotel (additional charges will apply). The hotel is also able to cater for dinner parties in Castle House. If you require private catering services contact the hotel for further details and pricing.
The majestic Grade I Listed medieval building, Castle House, is set to open its doors to guests in December 2013 after a magnificent restoration by the Somerset Building Preservation Trust (SBPT), with grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Viridor Credits Environmental Company, English Heritage, the Architectural Heritage Fund and the Garfield Weston Foundation.
Dating back to the 16th century, Castle House, which was built by the Bishops of Winchester, is situated within the curtilage of Taunton Castle. There have been no significant changes to the building in its history and it is perhaps one of the most significant buildings in the South West of England.
During its long history, Castle House has endured the English Civil War, hosted the infamous 'hanging judge' Judge Jeffreys, has been used as a lodging house for visitors to Taunton Castle and at one time was a school. Despite Judge Jeffreys, the building has a warm and welcoming feel to it and feels comfortable sharing its past with the present.
However over the past few decades the house had fallen into a state of dilapidation and was on the English Heritage Buildings at Risk Register. As a result Somerset County Council , SBPT, a registered charity which restores derelict historic buildings in Somerset, to seek a financially sustainable future for Castle House and to restore the building. The trust set the wheels in motion; raising funds to restore the building and project manage the restoration. Over £1million was raised to carry out the works and Architect, Robert Battersby was appointed along with contractors, Coombes of Ilminster. The Vivat Trust assisted SBPT with the specification and has now taken responsibility for the management of the building. Lime plaster and mortar were used in the restoration and wherever possible repairs were undertaken rather than replacements made.
The Ground Floor Area of Castle House will be transformed into a Discovery Centre, where great heritage can be shared with the general public. Activities will range from learning opportunities for all age groups linked to the broad spectrum of the history of the House, including its fabric and history, music, drama, crafts, literature and the politics of the times. Learning opportunities for students have been put in place by the SBPT during the restoration of the House. Students from Somerset College assisted in the photographic recording of the building not only for archive purposes but for interactive display in the House once it is open to the public.
The Vivat Trust are operating the 1st and 2nd floors of Castle House as holiday accommodation for 7 persons.
Location: In the centre of Taunton, half a mile from the railway station Interesting Towns: Wells, Glastonbury, Honiton, Watchet
Historic Attractions: Museum of Somerset, Crowcombe Court, Hestercombe Gardens, Farleigh Hungerford Castle, Fairfield, Cleeve Abbey, Tiverton Castle, Forde Abbey Activities: West Somerset Railway, cycling in the Quantock Hills, walking and horse riding in Exmoor National Park, golf Local Events: August Taunton flower show September Somerset arts week October Taunton carnival November Rural Living show and Wells carnival
THE VIVAT TRUST LTD , Reg. Charity No 282921, Reg No. 1568948 England, SCO41369 Scotland
