Feature: Cricket Court, Cricket Lane, Cricket Malherbie, Somerset, TA19 0PW

Alice Temperley’s Historic and Eclectic Somerset Home

Overview

Tucked into the Somerset countryside, Cricket Court is a creative and historically significant residence. Designer Alice Temperley describes herself as the current custodian of the extraordinary property, whose foundations date back to before the Norman Conquest. Over centuries the building evolved from a castle into a grand country residence, later owned by Lord Beaverbrook. “It has the most amazing history,” Alice explains. The property is surprisingly discreet despite being tucked away close to the borders of Somerset, Devon, and Dorset. Alice often describes it as resembling “an inside out wedding cake,” featuring rooms that have surprising and quirky dimensions.

Homeowner

Alice Temperley

Location

Somerset, England

Services

Full Feature on YouTube

Presented by

Alice Temperley

Elegant hallway with classical columns, ornate mirrors, and a decorative wooden console. A saddle with riding gear is placed against the wall, adding a rustic touch.

Hallway with mirrored table and chair, zebra print rug, and floral arrangement. Sunlit path leads to a piano room with vibrant decor, creating an elegant ambiance.

The Grand Entrance Hall

The arrival at Cricket Court gives a great impression on visitors. A dramatic double-height hallway opens up to a painted dome and a row of classical columns which defines the general tone for the rest of the house straight away. The intricate detailing continues into cupboards, arches and corners throughout the space. “Even if you open cupboards or look around corners, the decoration and detail is completely bananas,” Alice says.

Personal pieces, including a Western saddle and mirrored furniture, introduce her love of collected objects and decorative drama.

Bright kitchen with red cabinets, black countertop, and light green tile backsplash. Sunlight streams through a large window, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere.

A vibrant kitchen with red cabinets and a marble island, adorned with ingredients and kitchenware, radiates warmth and coziness. Bold wall art decorates the space.

A Cosy Somerset-Based Kitchen

In contrast to the grand architecture elsewhere, the kitchen is purposefully cosy and personal. Painted in a deep oxblood red, Alice’s favourite colour, the room centres around a traditional AGA that brings comfort during colder months. “This is our cosy kitchen,” Alice explains. “Smaller rooms in winter are definitely advisable in a house like this.”

Marble counters sourced locally sit alongside vintage diner chairs and French finds, while wallpaper and fabrics from Alice’s collaboration with Romo appear throughout the space.

Richly decorated living room with leopard print sofas, green walls, and ornate gold frames. A white mantel holds a model ship and red flowers.

A grand piano with sheet music sits elegantly in a sunlit room. A colorful bench and floral curtains add warmth. The mood is serene and inviting.

Collected Interiors in the Sitting Rooms

Alice’s layered design approach is evident in the main sitting area, which flows from the piano room. Rugs designed locally in Axminster sit alongside French chandeliers, leopard wallpaper and velvet sofas upholstered in fabrics from her Romo collection. “My house is not designed as such,” she explains. “It’s just full of things I’ve collected from everywhere.” Large windows flood the room with light, and in summer the doors open onto the terrace, creating a natural space for entertaining.

A Dining Room Made for Gatherings

Entertaining is central to life at Cricket Court, particularly in the dining room where large Sunday lunches are common. “There’s never three or four people,” Alice laughs. “It’s normally about 25 because I’ve got a big family.” At the centre stands a heavy table once used in Wells Cathedral, chosen for its durability after a previous table collapsed during an enthusiastic celebration. Around it is collected pieces including French mirrors, pottery by Somerset makers and a mural painted by one of Alice’s close friends.

Curved wooden staircase with white railings in a bright room. Red shoes rest on a step. The setting is elegant and warmly inviting.

Elegant white ceiling with intricate molding, featuring an oval skylight and a classic chandelier. Pink flowers below add a touch of color and warmth.

Layers and Interesting Architectural Details

Upstairs reveals the house’s distinctive structure. A sweeping staircase curves around a circular banister, illuminated by a lightwell that travels through the building’s multiple levels. The shifting floors and curved doors highlight Alice’s description of the house earlier as an inside out wedding cake. “The layers and the detail are really beautiful,” she says, noting the intricate plasterwork that frames each arch and corridor.

Elegant library room with wooden shelves filled with books surrounding a large window. Two patterned sofas face each other, creating an inviting, cozy atmosphere.

Cozy library with wooden bookshelves, blue armchairs, and a well-lit desk area. Large windows offer a green, serene view, creating a calm ambiance.

The Circular Room with Extraordinary Light

One room stands out above all others. With its dramatic circular ceiling and tall windows overlooking the Blackdown Hills, the space fills with golden light each afternoon. Alice is certain of its beauty. “This is without a doubt the most beautiful room in England,” she says. A cleverly designed fireplace sits beneath the window, with its flue hidden behind the bookcases. In winter, the fire glows beside Alice’s desk as she works within the room.

Bedroom with a large bed featuring leopard print and floral cushions, flanked by two blue lamps. Union Jack flags and "ER" adorn pale pink walls.

A cosy, vintage bedroom with pink walls, large windows, and sheer curtains overlooking a sunny garden. Soft lighting and pastel decor create a serene atmosphere.

Luxurious bathroom with vintage decor; a silver clawfoot tub on a platform, leopard-print walls, round mirrors, pink accents, and plush textiles.

Elegant bathroom with a mosaic-tiled clawfoot tub, lit candles, and plush decor. Cozy and inviting ambiance with soft pink and blue tones.

A Personal Bedroom and Bathroom

Alice’s bedroom continues the layered aesthetic found throughout the house. A large custom bed upholstered in leopard fabric sits beneath an original ceiling, surrounded by vintage rugs, lace curtains and heirloom embroidery. The adjoining bathroom embraces a more playful mood, with flocked leopard wallpaper and a mirrored bathtub created during a late-night project with a friend. “It’s not for everybody,” Alice admits. “But it’s my bathroom.”

Scenic countryside view with rolling hills under a bright blue sky. A stone patio features a fire pit, string lights, and a stack of logs, evoking a tranquil vibe.

A fluffy black cat sits on a stone ledge by blooming shrubs in a lush garden. The scene is calm and serene, with a green landscape in the background.

Terraces, Views and an Unexpected Past

Beyond the grand front façade, the rear terraces overlook sweeping countryside views and host summer gatherings around long outdoor tables. Beneath the terrace lies one of the property’s most unusual features. “Underneath here is the last remaining bear pit in England,” Alice explains, referring to a centuries old arena once used for bear baiting. It is another surprising layer in a house already full of stories.

A Home That Is Reflective of Its Owner

For Alice, Cricket Court is less about perfect design and more about personality. Every room holds objects gathered through travel, friendships and decades of creative work. “It might not be for everybody,” she says. “But it’s definitely my home.” Hence, the house feels incredibly intimate, influenced by both its past and the life that is currently taking place within.