This country house is called one of the “most important houses” in the area, having been built for an army general in the 1800s. 

Montys Court, in Norton Fitzwarren, dates back to 1840 and was built for Sir John Slade, who served in the Peninsular War of 1807-1814. 

Slade was praised by the Duke of Wellington for his service and was made a baronet in 1831, and is said to have danced with Marie Antoinette, who gifted him a snuff box. 

The house belonged to the Slade family for many years, with Sir John being succeeded by his son Frederic Slade, who became the queen’s counsel. 

The grade II listed home has impressive period features such as octagonal chimneys, a castellated porch with a crest and motto, and feature fireplaces. 

Through the porch, with its motto of ‘Fidus et audax’ (faithful and bold), there is a reception hall with a deep ceiling cornice and arches leading through to the staircase hall. 

The double drawing room has French doors to the grounds, two marble fireplaces and a lattice plastered ceiling, while the billiard room and dining room both feature further marble fireplaces. 

On this level, there is also a kitchen with twin islands and a three-oven AGA, as well as a fitted pantry, two cloakrooms, and an original kitchen and laundry room which could be further developed. 

Upstairs, on the first floor there is a galleried landing leading to a principal bedroom with a dressing room, an en-suite bathroom and a boudoir, three further bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, and an office area. 

On the second floor, there are two bedrooms, a dressing room, two bathrooms and a sitting room. 

Set across the first and second floors there is also a self-contained apartment, made up of a dining room, a kitchen, a sitting room, three bedrooms, one bathroom and a shower room.

Outside, there are formal lawned gardens with natural hedging and trees, and a driveway leading to a gravelled parking area. 

The rest of the grounds include parkland with “glorious” outlooks, a terrace, a traditional orchard and two tennis courts with a clubhouse. 

There is also an inner courtyard behind the house, leading to a cobbled courtyard with the original coach house and stables, which provide garaging, workshop space and a loft area, as well as a studio space. 

Beyond the stable yard, there is a walled kitchen garden with raised beds, an implement store and a log store. 

The property is being sold by estate agents Savills for a guide price of £3,250,000. 

Chris Clifford, head of Savills residential sales team in Devon, said: “One of the most historically important houses in the area, Montys Court is a magnificent country home set within extensive parkland, with not one, but two, excellent tennis courts, and quality equestrian facilities on its doorstep. 

“Restored to a high standard, the house has many fine period details, including remarkably ornate plasterwork within many of the ground floor reception rooms, which is something quite unique. 

“At over 14,000 square feet of living space and around 13.65 acres of gardens and grounds, Montys Court offers the opportunity to entertain on a grand scale, while a courtyard of traditional outbuildings offer further potential. 

“All within easy reach of some of the best independent schools in the South West, and no less than two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Montys Court is a rare opportunity within West Somerset.”