The Art of Escape is our way of exploring the stories behind the places that stay with you – and the people who bring them to life.
In this chapter, we spent time with Sian, who viewed a derelict Somerset farmhouse one rainy afternoon, took one look, and thought the poor people who buy this. Reader, she bought it. What’s followed has been part restoration, part love story – between her and the house, between the house and the Quantocks behind it, and, increasingly, between the strangers who arrive as guests and end up proposing in the meadow.
It was a really, really rainy, stormy June day, and I came up with my two children and husband, and we walked up the driveway, and I just thought the poor people that buy this! Because it was so derelict and there were just sheep everywhere. There was a ram in the sitting room and we couldn’t go upstairs because there was just a tree growing out. And then slowly but surely, it just grabbed me. It’s been a project ever since, bit of a a love story, really, between us.
The setting is very private. You can only see a chimney from a very small part of the lane up at the top. So you really are tucked away. And I think the stream at the bottom of the meadow is paramount actually in terms of setting because you can hear it.
We’re tucked below the Quantocks, which are absolutely beautiful. They’re a very feminine landscape. Wordsworth and Coleridge spent roughly about two years up on the Quantocks, and Dorothy Wordsworth. So there’s something really poetic about them and the fact that not many people know about them.
My favourite walk would be the woods, opposite Dead Woman’s Ditch. For me, they are so fairytale; they are ancient, ancient woodland. The dappled light in springtime – it’s like you’re underwater. I mean, they are stunning.
There’s an echo in here of what’s up on the hills. I really like to gather pictures from around the area. I don’t think I started off with a particular style in mind, but I really like simplicity and the plain color, I think, makes paintings and brown furniture particularly standout, and I I like that look.
What I believe the art of hosting involves is, first of all, I think you’ve just got to really want the people to be there and really wish them to have a lovely time. Having soft lighting, having really comfortable furniture, comfort is a really important factor of hosting. And for me to be comfortable with guests around and enjoy it, so I think you’ve got to fundamentally like people.
There was one review that said “I didn’t know I was looking for heaven, but I found it.” I thought that was so beautiful. I have been lucky with how lovely people have been about it and it means a lot actually. I don’t think they realise.
I was very pleased that some guests had a proposal here in the meadow. It was delightful actually. Because of the idea that this would be very special to them for so many years ahead. And a lot of people come here for their anniversary… oh, and a couple came for their honeymoon.
I think there’s a lot of love around. It seems to attract love.
If there was one word I could bottle as a feeling here, it would be peace. I would like to bottle peace.
Find peace, love and ponies in the Quantocks.
A house this loved tends to pass the feeling on. The meadow, the stream, the ponies on the hills behind – and the calm Sian’s built into every room over the years. All waiting for whoever checks in next.
