THE former home of literary genius Evelyn Waugh is on the market, with offers invited in excess of £5million.

The premises in Combe Florey, near Bishops Lydeard, date from the 17th Century and were home to the Brideshead Revisited author from 1956.

The Grade II manor house is approached by a long private drive and features a classical facade.

The reception hall is open to the stair hall with its 18th century newel staircase and flanked by the drawing room and the library.

The addition of a large orangery on the ground floor provides a central hub to the house and a connection between the formal reception rooms and the informal family rooms.

The drawing room, library and dining room form a trio of fine reception rooms complemented by the informal sitting room, family room, study and kitchen/breakfast room (with direct access to the family room and the boot room).

The kitchen has modern and traditional cabinets and cupboards with stainless steel and granite work surfaces. Appliances include a four oven Aga, Miele microwave, as well as a second oven, large fridge freezer, second fridge, two dishwashers and a larder cupboard.

The first floor provides two bedroom suites at the front. The principal suite overlooks the grounds and comprises a bedroom, ensuite bathroom and two dressing rooms.

The guest suite overlooks garden and parkland and provides a bedroom and ensuite bathroom. There is a second guest bedroom which incorporates a roll top bath and cloakroom.

In addition, there are two further bedrooms and a further bathroom and a shower room. The second floor is arranged as five bedrooms, two bathrooms and a cloakroom.

The basement features a spacious hall and boiler room, large laundry/utility room, two wine cellars and two store rooms.

The Keepers Cottage, garages, workshops and fuel stores replicate the appearance of a traditional range of ancillary country house buildings to include a coach house, stores and kennels around a central courtyard. The party barn and pool house were built at the same time but orientated to the swimming pool and tennis garden.

The property has 34.56 acres of land.

Oli Custance Baker, a director at selling agents Strutt & Parker, of Exeter, said: "A huge amount of work has been done to the property with the addition of outbuildings, a swimming pool, tennis court, garaging and potential stabling.

"It has everything you need, which is a rarity.

"Buyers from London and the South East are looking to be able to move west, with accessibility to Taunton Station making it an easy place to get to."