The Abbey, Ditcheat

The Abbey is a country house in Ditcheat with a two-storey L-shaped form, its frontage marked by four prominent gables and multiple chimneys rising from stone-tiled roofs. The building features stone construction with ashlar dressings and combines preserved medieval elements like coffered ceilings with additions from later periods.

The building was founded in 1473 by John Gunthorpe, Dean of Wells, and underwent major changes in 1667 under Christopher Coward. Victorian modifications in the 1860s added architectural details that define its appearance today.

The building demonstrates the architectural evolution from religious rectory to residential dwelling, incorporating both medieval and Victorian Gothic design elements throughout its structure.

The property is a Grade II* listed structure with protected status, and can be viewed from the public spaces surrounding it. Visitors should be aware this is private land with limited access to the interior.

The grounds include an 18th-century granary with timber framing and brick filling, topped by a distinctive pyramid roof covered in stone tiles. This separate building reflects the varied structures that once served the estate.