Bridgwater mansion on sale for £4m was former sanatorium

Quantock Lodge, in Aley, Over Stowey, near Bridgwater, was built as a summer residence for Henry Labouchere in the 1860s — an MP and the first Baron of Taunton. In 1919, it became a Sanitorium after being auctioned to Somerset County Council to clear the family’s debts.

The grade II listed Gothic revival property, set in 23 acres of parkland and gardens, functioned as the Quantock Sanatorium until 1961. It treated tuberculosis patients away from the bustle of Bridgwater, until antibiotic treatment became widespread.

The interior of Quantock Lodge, which boasts more than 20 reception rooms (Image: Strutt & Parker)The Library at Quantock Lodge (Image: Strutt & Parker)

From 1964 until 1998 it became Quantock School, with the patio block, sports hall block, and swimming pool complex added. The property is currently used as a youth summer camp and a centre for recreation and banqueting.

The estate, being marketed by Strutt & Parker, is available to buy as a whole or in two lots totalling £7million.

The first lot, £4million, includes the main house, surrounding buildings, and 19.18 acres. Lot two, on the market for £3million, is a 4.4-acre plot with the sports hall block, the swimming pool and changing complex, and a three-bedroom flat.

The property is currently being used as a summer camp (Image: Strutt & Parker)

A wood-panelled reception room in Quantock Lodge (Image: Strutt & Parker)

Prospective buyers could continue using the 18-bathroom lodge as a summer camp, “reopen a school, or convert the property back to a stunning manorial estate”, the agent writes.

The properties are approximately 77,000 sq ft in total, with original features in the Lodge including “stained glass in Lord Taunton's Room, original wood panelling and feature fireplaces.”

The swimming pool complex was added after the property became a school in 1964 (Image: Strutt & Parker)

Quantock Lodge is in the Quantock Hills area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Image: Strutt & Parker)

Strutt & Parker writes: “Quantock Lodge is located in the hamlet of Over Stowey in the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in West Somerset, surrounded by a wealth of local footpaths and bridleways leading to superb moorland, woodland walking and riding on the Quantock Hills, within easy distance of the West Somerset coast.

“The nearby village of Nether Stowey offers a good selection of day-to-day amenities including a general store, Post Office, butcher, GP surgery, library, hairdresser, popular primary school and local public houses.”