Avishays

Avishays is a large detached house with a complex history, incorporating elements from the 17th century, substantial alterations of 1745-1759, and 20th-century additions. The house is constructed of red brick in Flemish bond, with Ham stone ashlar dressings, and has Welsh slate roofs with stepped coped gables, some featuring ball finials, along with brick and stone chimney stacks. The double roof plan includes a north crosswing and a further extension to the north.

The east elevation, likely dating to the very late 17th century, is of five bays, with bays 2 to 4 projecting slightly. It features a plinth, rusticated quoins, a cornice band, and a shallow parapet. The windows are hollow-chamfered mullioned, with a wave-mould recess to the lower bay 2. All are three-light, except the upper bay 3, which is two-light, and all have rectangular leaded panes. A six-panel door is located in the lower bay 3, sheltered by a cambered-arched surround and timber shell hood. The north crosswing abuts bay 5 and has three bays, featuring two-light windows with plain beaded mullions and shallow architraves, rectangular-leaded with internal iron bars. A small timber bell turret sits on the ridge, along with a rainwater stackhead dated 1759. The south elevation has a double gable, with a plinth, cornice band, and rusticated quoins. Four 12-pane sash windows are present on each floor, set within stone architraves, with flat hoods above the ground floor windows. The west elevation is of seven bays, generally mirroring the south gables, with bays 3 to 5 projecting slightly under a pediment. Most bays have 12-pane sash windows, while lower bays 3 and 5 have deeper 18-pane windows. Lower bay 4 contains small-paned French doors within a plain recess, protected by an early 20th-century open porch with Ionic stone columns and an entablature with a segmental pediment. A further wing was added to the north, likely in the 19th century.

The interior, while inaccessible for inspection, is noted to include window shutters and panelled rooms of various dates. A fine baluster staircase, characteristic of the mid-18th century, is also present, and it is understood that some internal features originate from a house in Bath.

The property's history can be traced back to 1316, with the name Aveneleseigh. It passed through several owners, with the Browne family leasing it to the Sealy family, who purchased it in 1697, potentially the date of the east front’s construction. Descendants of the Sealy family held the property until its sale to Edward Clarke, a Chard solicitor, in 1859. Sarah Sealy, who married James Marwood (died 1767), was the owner in the mid-18th century.