North Cadbury Court Country House | Somerset | England

North Cadbury

Property Description

Our stunning Grade 1 16th-century country house and its 1,500 acres is available for your exclusive use for weddings, corporate events, family holidays, special celebrations and many other events. Owned by the Montgomery family – world famous for their Cheddar cheese – the magnificent Court and its parkland with 25 bedrooms, large dining hall, ballroom, various ‘break-out’ rooms, lawn tennis courts, lake, roof-top golf tee, indoor swimming pool and spa, is available throughout the year. Staying at North Cadbury Court gives you total flexibility and freedom to use this large county house as you wish (and there are NO extra charges like corkage) with an on-site event planner at your disposal if required. North Cadbury Court was built for entertaining and its huge ballroom and large panelled hall next door is perfect for that purpose today.  

 
We can easily accommodate 50 guests overnight and seat up to 160 at a banquet in the Ballroom. While the house is magnificent, it also has a warm homely feel, is extremely comfortable and the emphasis is very much on fun. On-site activities include swimming, golf, bumper balls, fishing, pedalos, tennis, croquet and archery, basement casino and disco. The massive range of facilities available on site means long stays are never dull and any form of family fun or team building is easy. We are only 1 hour 40 mins by train from London and about 2 hours by car, conveniently close to the A303. Set in glorious Somerset countryside, North Cadbury Court’s rural setting includes Cadbury Hill Fort (said to be the home of King Arthur’s Camelot), welcoming local pubs, tea room and a village shop all within walking distance. 
 
THE HOUSE:
 
Bedroom Descriptions – North Cadbury Court can sleep 41 adults in 21 bedrooms situated on two floors with a lift that services both floors.
  • The Oak Room –  4 post double, En-suite bath with hand-shower 
  • Jane Austen’s Room  –  4 post double, En-suite bath with hand-shower 
  • Katherine’s Room  –  Twin, Private Bathroom with Archie’s Room 
  • Archie’s Room  –  4 post double, Private Bathroom with Katherine’s Room 
  • The School Room  –  4 post double, En-suite bathroom with shower 
  • Balcony Room   –   4 post double, En-suite bathroom with shower 
  • Mary’s Room   –  Double, En-suite bathroom with shower 
  • Sir John’s Room   –  Twin, Private Bathroom with The Orient 
  • The Orient   –   Double, Private Bathroom with Sir John’s Room 
  • Uncle Tom’s Cabin   –   Double, En-suite shower room 
  • Kinnordy  –   Double, En-suite shower room 
  • Balintore    –   Double, En-suite shower room 
  • Nellie’s Room   –  4 post double, En-suite shower room 
  • Balmoral   –  4 post single, En-suite bathroom with shower 
  • Cleopatra’s Room   –  Double, En-suite bath with hand-shower 
  • Charlotte’s Room   –   Double, En-suite bath with hand-shower 
  • King Edward   –   Double, En-suite bath with hand-shower 
  • Camelot  –  Double, En-suite bath with hand-shower 
  • Excalibur  –   Twin, Private shower room 
  • Merlin’s Room   –  4 post double, En-suite bath with hand-shower 
  • Lady Rosetta’s Room   –  Double, En-suite bath with hand-shower
 
Views of the House – From the north of the property you can see that North Cadbury Court is a splendid example of a fine Elizabethan mansion. Approach it from the south however and you will see the wonderful Georgian architecture. Once inside see if you can spot where the ‘new’ additions are!
 
Grounds and Gardens – We are set in 1,500 privately owned acres of gorgeous Somerset coutryside. The grounds associated with the house are principally on the south side. From here you have outstanding views of Cadbury Hill Fort, thought to have been King Arthur’s Court of Camelot. It’s possible to arrive by helicopter or light aircraft using our grass landing strip close to the house.
 
History of the House – Hello. My name is Archie Montgomery, farmer and member of the Montgomery family, owners of North Cadbury Court, our family home for 100 years but with a history dating back 700 years to 1300. It was first a medieval hall built by the de Moels and the original magnificent roof trusses are visible in several rooms today.  In 1337 it was sold to William Botreaux from Cornwall and a descendant, Elizabeth, rebuilt the neighbouring church in the early 1400’s, and founded a college for priests in 1427 in the house, though this was never established.  Sir Francis Hastings leased the building from his brother, the Earl of Huntingdon and in 1580’s built the large Elizabethan mansion, before it was sold in 1596 to Matthew Ewens, a Baron of the Exchequer.  In 1610 it was purchased by Richard Newman who had the misfortune of being imprisoned by Oliver Cromwell for lending his support to King Charles I but was forgiven a little later by King Charles II. The house and estates stayed in the Newman family for another 150 years.  The Bennett family purchased the house and its lands in the 1760’s and it remained in their family for the next 100 years. During that time they added a ballroom and the very attractive Georgian style south façade and their coat of arms can still be seen above the main door.   
 
In 1910 the house and estate was purchased by my grandfather Sir Archibald Langman, who as a Londoner yearned for the rural pursuits, and he, with his young wife Eleanor, became active on the farm, and started making the cheddar cheese for which the estate is now world famous.  He had only recently returned from the Boer War where he had donated a field hospital. He and his friend and surgeon, Arthur Conan Doyle, were briefly taken prisoner by the enemy, and he personally took the amazing photographs behind the Boer lines that hang on the stairs.  During the Second World War a London nursery was evacuated into the house (apparently responsible for some of the stains on the ballroom floor!). After the war a large part of the house was lent to the YMCA as part of a scheme to train under-privileged city boys who wanted an entry into farming. Between 1948 and 1966 several hundred young men learnt their trade here, and many have returned from farms all over the world to revisit us.  North Cadbury Court remains to this day a key part of our farmed estate, the custodianship of which our family remains passionate about. The lovely house is as iconic as the hill we farm, Cadbury Court, visible from its windows, and we hope that the Court’s future will be as enduring as those legends of King Arthur.
 
 
HOLIDAYS / ANNIVERSARIES 
North Cadbury Court makes a wonderful venue for a country house holiday. Your stay at the house can be as long as you like, or just for a day or two. Up to 50 of your family and friends can stay in the house and annex and many more can be invited to join during the day or for an evening’s entertainment. Situated within thousands of acres of farmland, cider orchards, lovely old villages and, of course, equally lovely English pubs, the house makes a wonderful base from which to explore south west England. Our lovely panelled Dining Hall seats up to 80 people and our Ballroom 160. You can make use of our casino, dance in the ballroom or for smaller numbers, in our secret cellar disco. In addition you have full use of the swimming pool, spa, gym, tennis courts, fishing lake, golf course. But this is just the tip of the iceburg. Read our full list of facilities and activities for ideas of things to do while on holiday.  
 
Catering options – Food and drink is always an important part of a holiday and here we offer great flexibility. You can self-cater totally, self-cater with the help of some of our local staff, employ a private chef or catering company to provide everything, or as most of our clients do, use some and some. Unlike a hotel, North Cadbury Court offers you real choices: catering, drinks (we do not charge corkage), music, entertainment, activities, in fact everything that goes into making a special celebration special. To help you with all this choice you have Georgia, our excellent and very experienced organiser. She will help you plan and organise your stay, so that it is just how you want it to be.
 
 
CORPORATE EVENTS VENUE
The whole of this magnificent house and grounds –  with its 25 bedrooms, large dining hall, ballrooms, various ‘break out’ rooms, tennis courts, fishing lake and swimming pool – is available for your exclusive use when you book it for your corporate event.  In addition to all this, unique activities are available or can be arranged. This includes ‘roof top’ golf, fishing, a disco and casino.  Adventurous sports such as polo, shooting, hunting, helicopter flights can easily be organized. 
 
Our beautiful rural setting in Somerset has nearby sites of interest including Cadbury Hill Fort (said to be home of Camelot), local pubs, tea room and a village shop. We are also close to the A303, an hour from Bristol or Bath and two hours from London.  
 
North Cadbury Court is available for:  
  • Conference productions 
  • Interactive and themed events 
  • Christmas/New Year Parties 
  • Mid week ‘delegate’ rates 
  • Shooting parties 
  • Boot camps 
  • Film locations 
  • Anniversaries 
  • Conferences 
  • Management board days Stay aways 
  • Team building 
  • Family get togethers 
  • Rural adventure holidays 
  • Packages (eg- stay and learn helicopter piloting, polo, fishing etc) 
  • Celebrations/balls/parties
 
 
WEDDING VENUE
We are licenced to host civil wedding ceremonies in the house, but if you’re simply dreaming of a stunning venue for your wedding reception, your search is over. North Cadbury Court’s wedding services and facilities will fulfill your dreams. The Court has a unique character – steeped in British history yet relaxed and incredibly comfortable. Stunning wood panelled rooms for meals, dancing and all types of events lead to cosy lounges with huge fireplaces, and then sweeping staircases take you up to floor after floor of beautiful bedrooms and amazing bathrooms – every one totally individual and with stunning decor.
 
In the heart of the countryside, the extensive gardens and parkland offer endless space to wander and to enjoy magical days and evenings with friends or family. The house itself is sumptuous and truly historic, yet at the same time a place where you can relax and feel totally at home. Full of surprises which will delight you – a new swimming pool and sauna, a stunning snooker room, beautiful four poster beds, antique furnishings and art. In the cellars there is even a secret disco and grand casino! If you are lucky enough to discover North Cadbury Court, you will treasure the memories forever and never want to leave.
 
CHEESE TASTING WITH JAMIE MONTGOMERY
The Montgomery family have been farming in North and South Cadbury for three generations, with their cows producing milk used in making their renowned Montgomery’s Cheddar – sold internationally and highly prized as one of the best cheddars in the world. Jamie Montgomery’s grandfather, Sir Archibald Langman, bought the farm in 1911 and continued the traditional cheesemaking while so many others gave up during and after WWII. When staying at the Court, for a small charge, Jamie Montgomery can provide visits to the maturing room where the famous Montgomery Cheeses reach perfection. Cheese tastings can be arranged for guests at the Court, and paired with wines and ciders provided by expert local suppliers.
Amenities
FEATURES
  • 21 bedrooms (19 ensuite) 
  • Swimming Pool 15’ by 30’ (with volleyball net) 
  • 10 seater jacuzzi 
  • Sauna 
  • Gym 
  • Two kitchens (large scale catering & standard) 
  • Lift (disabled access) 
  • Ballroom 
  • Disco 
  • Library 
  • Snooker room 
  • Dining room 
  • Drawing room 
  • Casino (Poker, Roulette and Black Jack rooms) 
  • 4 extra bedrooms in Family Annex
Exterior:  
  • Pistol shooting range 
  • Croquet lawn 
  • Hard tennis court 
  • 2 grass tennis courts 
  • Archery 
  • 3 hole golf course (par 11, 1st tee on roof, putting green) 
  • Roof terrace and lift for drinks 
  • Airstrip (550 metres and clear approaches) 
  • Fishing lake: tuition and rods supplied, game (trout) and coarse (carp) 
  • Pedalos 
  • Heli landing area 
  • Equestrian facilities  (1500 acres for hacking) 
  • Flower meadow 
  • Walled garden 
  • Bicycles 
  • Spa

 

Corporate Facilities
  • Wifi throughout house 
  • Fully equipped presentation area 
  • Plasma Screen 
  • Projector Pull down screen   
  • Flipchart’s 
  • Whiteboards 
  • Choice of large and small areas in which seating could be arranged for a boardroom meeting or meetings for up to 200 
  • Day or overnight stay options 
  • Total entertainment/catering package options 
  • Partner arrangements with corporate activity organizers 
  • Our own in-house event manager

 

Things to Do

  • Archery
  • Bumper Balls
  • Casino
  • Croquet
  • Falconry
  • Fishing
  • Flying
  • Frisbee Golf
  • Gym
  • Hot Air Ballooning
  • Jacuzzi
  • Laser Wars
  • Pistol Shooting
  • Rooftop Golf
  • Sauna
  • Shooting
  • Snooker 
  • Swimming Pool 
  • Treatment Rooms 
  • Walks & Cycling

 

Things Arranged with our partners
  • Equestrian (1500 acres of hacking) 
  • Clay Shooting  
  • Boot camps 
  • Drumming 
  • Yoga 
  • Archery 
  • Falconry 
  • Cookery courses 
  • Crab Masterclass 
  • Polo 
  • Flight tuition 
  • Hot air ballooning 
  • Boot camp 
  • Beauty therapy 
  • Hairdressing 
  • History talks 
  • Local sight-seeing 
  • Disco 
  • Flower arranging Bushcraft 
  • Go-carting

 

Places to Visit - Heritage
  • Cadbury Hill Fort - Just a 30 minute walk from the house, this has the highest credentials - some experts consider this to be the most likely site of King Arthur's Camelot.  
  • Stourhead House - World famous 18th century landscape garden and Palladian mansion. One of the many National Trust properties within a few miles of us.  
  • Stonehenge – The most visited heritage site in the UK.  
  • Bath - One of the most beautiful cities in the world. famous for its Roman spa, Georgian architecture and shops.
 
Salisbury - with its iconic Cathedral and Close, as painted by Constable.
  • Wells - The smallest city in England…"Britain's hidden gem”.  
  • Glastonbury – Home to the world famous festival and thought to be Avalon, the final resting place of King Arthur, and the site to which the Holy Grail was borne by Joseph of Arimathea.  
 
Jurassic Coast - including Dorset's famous Gold Cap.
 
Retail Therapy  
  • Kilver Court - with its gorgeous gardens and high end designer outlets (including Mulberry).  
  • Street - large outlet retail destination.  
  • Sherborne - with its gift shops and tearooms.
 
Family Entertainment  
  • www.haynesmotormuseum.com - collection of historic cars 5 minutes from NCC  
  • Fleet Air Arm Museum – Europe's largest Naval Aviation Collection.  
  • Longleat – Safari & Adventure Park and home to the wonderfully eccentric Lord Bath.  
  • Wookey Hole - Home of the infamous Wookey witch.  
  • Cheddar Gorge and Caves – Britain's most well known caves.
Basic Details
Property Type : Castle
Listing Type : Vacation Rental
Bedrooms : 21
Bathrooms : 19
Sleeps : 41

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