Pheonix Studios, Ilminster
Simply, ‘Somerset’ Style!
One of the best aspects of being a property buying agent is staying abreast of all that is new and interesting in my local areas. Last week I had the distinct pleasure of visiting the Phoenix Studios and Alice Temperley’s atelier which is now located in the centre of the ancient Somerset town of Ilminster.
What was once the site of a production facility for Gooch and Housego – a photonics engineering company (I kid you not!) the Phoenix Studios has now burst forth as a beacon of beauty, creativity and fun!
This stunning project was undertaken by Mark Cresswell and Alice Temperley during the lockdown of 2020 and what an inspiration it is. Whilst most of Britain was furloughed or locked down, during the best part of 2020, the aptly named ‘Phoenix Studios’ has risen into its full honey coloured stone glory, as the beating heart of this historic Somerset town.
Alongside the stunning atelier of ‘Temperley London’ – clothing which, it must be said, is so beautiful in its artistry that it hurts your eyes, there lies ‘The Somerset’, a café by day and cocktail bar by night, as well as the Market Bakery, where you can buy artisanal bread and delicious cakes. Market Bakery is run by Ben and Vanessa Crofton, of 28 Market Place in Somerton, a lovely restaurant that is gaining a wide and enthusiastic following.
‘The Somerset’ has a feeling of understated splendour, with comfortable corners and an interior of soft pinks and greens that are evocative of the apple orchards of Somerset. The cocktail list is delicious, my favourite being ‘Orchard Mist’ made with Burrow Hill apple juice, but if it’s just a straightforward drink you require then I can thoroughly recommend the 5-year-old Somerset Cider Brandy, take that Calvados! Should you require some sustenance then the Market Bakery is for you, so when you visit the Phoenix Studios you can literally have your cake and eat it too.
Please, don’t be daunted by the descriptions of eminent style and deliciousness’, I found the whole place to be friendly, fun and relaxed, take it from me, you need to visit and soon!