Western Daily Press (Saturday)
WEST’S SMALLEST HOUSE FOR SALE
AFORMER tollhouse that is thought to be the smallest detached property in the West Country has gone on the market for £140,000.
The Round House, in the Somerset village of Stanton Drew, measures just 11ft 10in by 11ft 10in – making it smaller than a Tube carriage.
Despite its size, the 18th century property was once home to a family of eight.
It is now being marketed by Debbie Fortune estate agents, who believe it could even be the smallest detached home in England.
Last year, a property in Derbyshire measuring 11ft 10in by 10ft 3in went on the market claiming to be the smallest detached house in Britain.
But, because of its unusual shape, the Round House can claim to be slightly smaller in terms of floor space.
A spokesman for Debbie Fortune said the property was used only as a tollhouse for nearly 100 years until it became a residential dwelling in 1870.
He said: “The property really is quite quaint and totals at just 285 square feet, which is in fact smaller than your average school bus or Tube carriage.
“Being such a well-known building within the Chew Valley, the Round House boasts many a tale about its history. We have heard stories about a family of eight living among the building with the children having their bunk beds built among the roof rafters, which are, in fact, still present in the property today.
“Now the Round House is looking for its new custodian who can add further to the property’s history.”
The picture-postcard cottage appears circular from a distance, but is in fact hexagonal.
It comprises an open-plan kitchen and living area as well a modern downstairs shower room.
A twisting staircase to one side of the building leads to a large bedroom, which boasts vaulted ceilings with exposed beams and enjoys a superb countryside view.
A number of features still survive from the building’s days as a tollhouse, such as an iron hook, located above the door, into which coachmen, sitting high up on their carriages, would deposit their road tolls.
Distinctive church-like windows offer superb views of the Somerset countryside, including the Druid’s Stones, believed to be 600 years older than Stonehenge.
With Stanton Drew Court, built by the wealthy Coates family, nearby, it is conceivable that the original function of the tollhouse was as a lookout point.
Also of interest are an Edward VII letterbox, which is still in use today, and a straw cockerel perched atop the roof.