糖心传媒

鈥淭o live in a courtyard that鈥檚 enclosed has been fantastic鈥�, says the owner, Jeanie Falconer, who with her husband and three children, moved from Paris into Paunton Court in 2005. 鈥淲e were looking for somewhere to live in the West Country because my husband is from around here and I largely grew up in Devon,鈥� she explains. 

Architectural styles and spaces 

The house itself is a quirky mix of architectural styles and spaces. The original structure with its timber frame dates to the 16th century, with subsequent additions ranging from the 18th century to the present day. The floor plan is a distinctive 鈥楬鈥� shape, with different wings extending outwards. There are eight bedrooms, multiple sitting rooms and studies, as well as a handsome dining room. The quintessential country kitchen boasts a substantial range and breakfast table. Meanwhile, the family cat rotates between cosy spots in front of the working fireplaces. 

The property鈥檚 centrepiece is a grand hall with a first-floor gallery, which has become the focal point for family gatherings and entertaining. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had a lot of great parties and concerts here,鈥� Jeanie says. The Falconers also expanded the house when they moved in, adding a new wing by connecting the neighbouring hop kiln to the rest of the property through a two-storey gallery with tall windows that overlook the garden.

Frome Valley Vineyard 

Alongside 50 acres of land comprising woodlands, pasture, a mature orchard with more than 20 different fruit trees and an expansive vegetable garden 鈥� 鈥渄uring the summer we more or less live off what we grow,鈥� says Jeanie 鈥� Paunton Court is also home to Frome Valley Vineyard, a winery that was established in the 1990s and which Jeanie has run since moving in. 

鈥淲e grow six varieties, most of which are now classed as heritage grapes鈥�, she explains. These include rarities like Huxelrebe, Reichensteiner and Madeleine Angevine 鈥� some of the earliest, medieval-era grape varieties to be grown in the UK. 鈥淚t depends on the weather, but normally we make somewhere between 4,000 and 7,000 bottles a year.鈥� 

With vines and vegetables alike to attend to, alongside the property鈥檚 acreage of land, the Falconers have created their own rural idyll; a bustling family home where opportunities to connect with nature are never very far away. 

Happy times at Paunton Court 

鈥淭he house has a lovely character 鈥� it feels like a lot of happy people have lived here over the years,鈥� Jeanie reflects. She鈥檒l be sad to leave, though the Falconers plan to stay in the local area. 

鈥淎nother thing I really enjoy about being here is that it鈥檚 so peaceful 鈥� the property is banded by the river on one side and by country lanes on the other. We are self-contained, seemingly in the middle of the countryside, but you can reach Ledbury, Malvern or Hereford in 20 minutes,鈥� she adds. 鈥淗erefordshire is the most beautiful county, but still quite unknown as well.鈥� 

Paunton Court has now been sold