Avalon Manor
Upton Scudamore, Wiltshire, UK
In Upton Scudamore's storybook setting where Constable's brushstrokes meet Jefferies' prose, Avalon unfolds as a chronicle of English country living, offering a grand stage for gatherings a stone's throw from the Georgian city of Bath. Nestled in the heart of Wiltshire, this historic manor serves as a gateway for exploring the region's beautiful landscapes and cultural treasures.
Introduction
Behind decorous iron gates, a 14th-century Grade II listed home unfolds, its weathered stone façade and acre of meticulously tended gardens offering more than simply a place to stay. Avalon Manor is an immersion into the layered narratives of English rural life, where medieval bones, softened through centuries of habitation, now cradle contemporary comforts with grace. The estate elegantly embodies the passage of time, evolving organically as each generation leaves its mark while respecting what came before. The result is neither a museum piece nor a facsimile of the past, but a family home that invites exploration and repose in equal measure.
Inside
A treasure map of cosy nooks and stately spaces, here, muddy wellies and velvet slippers coexist without contradiction. In the grand hall, ancestral portraits seem to wink conspiratorially at guests, while leather-bound tomes and modern page-turners engage in silent conversation in the library. Upstairs, four-poster beds and clawfoot baths capture the gardens' ever-changing tableau. The Aga stands as a culinary altar, inviting gatherings around simmering pots of Wiltshire ham served with spicy watercress from the Wylie Valley's chalk streams. As night falls, the hall transforms into a stage for revelry, where laughter flows as freely as wine from local vineyards.
Outside
Capability Brown might have exchanged design ideas with the gardener of Alice's Wonderland. Formal terraces yield to wild copses and pools adorned with water lilies, where whimsy and youthful imagination find fertile ground. A treehouse, more aerie than playground, offers a bird's-eye view of the estate. Meanwhile, a cedar hot tub and wood-fired pizza oven stand as unexpected yet welcome additions, bringing a touch of Italianate leisure to this quintessential pocket. Come dusk, the sun-kissed walls of the Provence-inspired courtyard emit a gentle warmth, creating an alfresco living space where the line between indoors and outdoors blurs.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 12 guests (+ 2 children)
From £3,695 per week, £2,795 per short break
Day hire options are available - Alternative group optionUp to 6 guests
- Bedrooms and bathroomsOn the first floor are three double bedrooms, two of which have king-size beds, one with an en suite bathroom and one with an en suite shower room with rainfall shower, and a twin bedroom. There is also a family bathroom on this floor with a roll-top bath with handheld shower attachment. On the second floor is one further double bedroom and one twin bedroom, which each share the second floor family bathroom with bath and handheld shower attachment. Two camp beds and bedding are available for an additional charge, please enquire for further details.
View bedrooms - FeaturesGames room, mini gym and tree house for children, cedar hot tub, outdoor woodfired BBQ and pizza oven.
- PetsOne well-behaved dog is welcome (aged two and above)
Pets are charged at £60 per week or part thereof - Arrivals and departuresArrival Time: 5pmDeparture Time: 9.30am
- FamilyYes, children are very welcome. Two cots and one highchair are available.
- PracticalitiesThere is parking for up to four cars. A well-equipped kitchen and utility room is on the ground floor. Please note the property is situated along a small village road, a short distance from the main road. Weather dependent, the gardener may be on-site to tend to the grounds, however will endeavour to be discreet.
- Homestay includesMulti-gym with free weights, roulette wheel with cloth, football goal, darts, table tennis, HiFi system, Freesat cable TV and recorder, DVD player, WiFi internet (with fast fibre-optic broadband), outdoor woodfired barbecue, pizza oven, linen, towels, logs and kindling to get you started.House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more
- Private cateringSeeking a celebratory dinner or fully catered escape? Our recommended caterers will work with you to create personalised menus for your stay. Details are shared through our house book on confirming your booking.
- RestrictionsParties considered on prior permission from the owner, no fireworks are to be set off from within the grounds
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questions
Prices & Availability
Upton Scudamore
Sitting peacefully in rural Wiltshire near the World Heritage city of Bath, Upton Scudamore is a scenic village idyllically placed between Wiltshire´s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Salisbury Plain´s chalky plateaus.
Getting there
On the Map This luxury Wiltshire manor house an hour from Bristol, 30 minutes from Bath and five minutes from Warminster in Upton Scudamore. By Car Avalon Manor is a two hour drive from London. By Train The nearest train station is Westbury (London Line). By Air Bristol Airport is an hour's drive away.
From the owner
“Avalon Manor is quite simply exquisite; from the sumptuous furnishings and stunning gardens, to the quirky interior touches and flourishes of flamboyant style.”
The Grade-II listed Avalon Manor was originally built in 1350 and is one of a small number of medieval properties in the area. After some searching we acquired Avalon Manor in 2007; once we walked into the 14th century hall we knew it was the home for us. In the Middle Ages, the house was let by the Hungerfords to the Parks family. The Seaman family then inhabited the house for several hundred years, adding the gabled side wings, the stone entrance arch and porch at the west end of the hall. Future inhabitants included the daughter of the Bishop of Bath and Wells and the war office during the second half of this last century, before being restored in the 1980s by two local antique dealers. We've tried to furnish the house to emphasise its historic integrity and to give people a sense of its past, whilst staying true to its character and charm. We often enjoy looking around the hall and imagining what stories must have unfolded in the house during its 700-year history. We hope you love it just as much as we do.
The Charles Family
Owner recommendations
Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Upton Scudamore with an insider’s perspective.
To Do
Bath Spa
In the World Heritage city of Bath, you can enjoy Britain´s only natural thermal waters as the Celts and Romans did over 2000 years ago. Bathe in the mineral-rich waters and choose from spa treatments to soothe body and mind.
To See
Botany and Butterflies
Discover a unique way to view Salisbury’s diverse wildlife and take a Wiltshire bird tour. Dominated by its chalk hills and the vast Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire provides a unique habitat for all things birds, botany and butterfly.
To Do
On Your Bike
Head off-piste and cycle through Salisbury’s grasslands and chalky terrain. Spend a day cycling with the whole family; follow the Avon River via Stonehenge or through Wylye Valley into Warminster market town for an unforgettable day.
To Eat
The Olive Tree, Bath
One of Bath’s longest-established independent restaurants, the 3 AA Rosette Olive Tree is under the protective wing of award-winning Head Chef, Chris Cleghorn, and serves a combination of classical flavours with modern techniques.
Guest Testimonials
Read reviews on TrustPilot and Google
We had a lovely stay at Avalon Manor. We had booked the house previously and had to cancel due to COVID in August of 2020 and were excited to have the opportunity to book the house again. The house and facilities were lovely and we really appreciated how child-friendly the property was (gated property, treehouse, games room, tv room). We would absolutely book again.
We have had the most wonderful time at Avalon manor, it is a beautiful property with everything you could possibly need. My family and I had a fantastic time and enjoyed everything that Avalon Manor had to offer, from the stunning gardens to the comfortable and elegant interiors. We really could not have asked for more. Thank you.
We are just back having spent a wonderful long weekend in your beautiful home celebrating my Birthday. Our whole party thought the house and grounds were a delight. Time was spent sitting around the dining table catching up and quiet times in the many other areas of the house and outside thanks to the weather. Exploring included a few walks, lunch at The Angle, shopping in Frome and a visit to Westcombe dairy.
We needed something very special, large enough for 12, with open fires but still a real air of modern luxury - and that´s exactly what we got with Avalon Manor. We loved the property, it was absolutely perfect for our girls weekend.
It was possibly one of the best weekends I have ever shared with my family and friends. It was so hard to tear ourselves away. Everyone had such an amazing time and we plan to do the same again next year. Thank you so much to all of you.
Celebrating a special friendship could not have been done in a more fantastic way than going to this special place in England. Visiting Bath, Wells and all the nearby stately homes, and then returning to "our own" stately home.
We were warmly welcomed into the house and shown around. Inside with all its splendour, the manor has a very lovely homely feel to it. We could not have wished for anything better.
Arriving at Avalon Manor, even after having seen all the beautiful pictures, was still a wonderful surprise. The manor is located beautifully in a picturesque little village.
The property was absolutely stunning. I have visited many self-catered places in my personal and professional capacities and this was certainly one of the best Ive been to.
We were all blown away by how fabulous the manor was. The housekeeper who met us on arrival was lovely, she had made us all wedding favours for our rooms. Please pass on our compliments to the owners on such a fabulous house and stunning gardens that we made full use of.
Press
Below are a selection of features in which Avalon Manor and Unique Homestays has appeared. If you would like to feature the property in an editorial capacity, please contact the marketing team on +44 (0)1637 882014.
complete an image bank request
Cool Cottages in Wiltshire
The Guardian
October 2013Snow white
Country Homes & Interiors
December 2024The UK´s cosiest boltholes for Christmas
The Times
December 2024Natural beauty
25 Beautiful Homes
December 202425 of the best autumn getaways
The Times
November 2024Good manors
Condé Nast Traveller
November 2024Ways to improve your life—from our experts
The Times
October 2024The UK´s most relaxing riverside stays
The Times
October 2024
Collections > Alternative Group Option > UK > Wiltshire > Upton Scudamore > Avalon Manor
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Disclaimer: These particulars, whilst believed to be accurate, are set as a guideline so should not be relied upon as a statement of fact. The photographs show aspects of the property at the time they were taken and it should not be assumed that the property remains precisely as displayed. If there are points of particular importance that need clarifying before you book, please contact us.
