Ammerdown House, Grade I listed country house in Kilmersdon, England
Ammerdown House is a symmetrical stone mansion in the Georgian style, set in Kilmersdon in Somerset, England. It sits within landscaped grounds that include formal gardens with gothic fountains, stable buildings, and stone statues placed throughout the parkland.
The house was designed in 1788 by architect James Wyatt for Thomas Samuel Jolliffe as a private country residence. It was expanded twice in the second half of the 19th century, reaching the scale it has today.
The name Ammerdown comes from the valley nearby, linking the house directly to the Somerset landscape around it. Today the house operates as a retreat and conference center, welcoming groups who gather there for reflection or discussion.
The property is run by a charitable organization and is primarily open to groups booking retreats or meetings, so it is worth contacting them in advance before planning a visit. The grounds and gardens are part of the residential setting, meaning access follows the rhythm of the center rather than that of a public site.
A tower roughly 45 meters tall, modeled on the Eddystone Lighthouse, stands in the park and was built in 1853 by the sons of the original owner. It serves no maritime purpose here and functions simply as a landmark rising above the open Somerset countryside.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
