Berkley House

Berkley House is a country house built in the mid-18th century, likely designed and constructed by Nathaniel Ireson of Wincanton. The house is made of ashlar Doulting stone and features hipped slate roofs. It has a basement, two storeys, and an attic, with a symmetrical facade that includes seven windows arranged in a 2:3:2 pattern. Above the central section is a dentilled pediment supported by Ionic pilasters, with a Venetian window in the tympanum. The central stone doorcase features a pediment and entablature on two engaged Tuscan columns, a rusticated door opening, a fanlight, and a panelled door. There are keyed, semi-circular headed windows on each side of the door. The side sections have cornices and plain parapets, with sash windows that include glazing bars and internal shutters set in moulded keyed architraves. The building is accented by rusticated end pilasters and a basement storey. A flight of five steps leads to the door, with urns positioned at the corners. The return elevations have five windows, with first-floor windows featuring iron balconettes.

At the rear, there is a three-storey domestic range, probably from the 17th century, constructed of rubble Doulting stone and slate roofs. This section has wooden casement windows set in plain keyed architraves and heavy lead rainwater goods with scalloped edge decoration, as well as cast square box section pipes that match those of the main building.

Although the interior has not been seen, it is reported to contain a fine hall and a balustraded staircase arranged around a square, open well, featuring interesting paintings, including a portrait once thought to be of John Wood of Bath, but now believed to be of Thomas Prowse. The frames of the paintings exhibit carved rococo decoration from around 1750. The house was owned by the Prowse family in the 18th century and was occupied for a time by Thomas Prowse, who was elected five times as Member of Parliament for Somerset and declined the Speakership in 1761. Thomas Prowse is also known for designing Hatch Court near Taunton.