History

The Saxon boundary dividing the King's land from that of the Abbess of Shaftesbury runs along the side of our farm and certain names probably survive from that time.  Hicols' Homestead (hicol means woodpecker) was here and we believe the name Cools Farm has derived from this.  We also have an Abbott's Pond and a field originally called Church Close, even though we are 3 miles from the nearest church!

Our house was built probably just before the Civil War in the 1620's, certainly by 1646 when it was occupied by a William Young.  We like to think that Sir Christopher Wren , who was born in East Knoyle in 1632, might have come to see a new house being built in the area!  Originally thatched but replaced by a wooden roof in the 1950's, the subsequent history of the house needs researching, though we believe it has been a working farm throughout the years.  In 2004, the house underwent a major restoration including a new roof.  We found a large smoking chamber behind the wall in the Edwards bedroom big enough to smoke whole carcasses. Four stone mullioned windows had been blocked in perhaps to save money from the 1700's window tax.  Putting these back and opening up the interior of this historic house has transformed it from a 1950's farmhouse into a very comfortable and spacious family home.

The owners, Quentin and Maggie Edwards, have recently retired from the independent education sector and have taken up farming with a herd of pedigree Red Poll cattle and plan to stock the lake with trout.

If you would like to stay in our beautiful house for Bed and Breakfast or in the Old Piggery on a self catering basis, please contact us on 01747 830720 or email stay@coolsfarm.co.uk