A former South West country house hotel is under new ownership for the fourth time in 15 years having been acquired by a hospitality firm based in the region.

The new owners of Grade II-listed The Mount Somerset near Taunton have promised to return the Georgian property to its original splendour as an upmarket hotel.

PM Hospitality, which also runs Coombe Lodge in Bristol, Rockbeare Manor in Devon and Priston Mill in Bath, will also reinstate its original name, Henlade House.

Having originally been built between 1805 and 1815 as a private residence, the quintessential English Regency mansion became a the 19-room hotel in the 1990s, going on to become one of the first to join the then fast-growing Bristol-headquartered Von Essen group.

When Von Essen, which went on to buy Thornbury Castle, Ston Easton Park and the Royal Crescent in Bath, collapsed with debts of nearly £300m in 2011, The Mount Somerset was acquired by The Eden Collection, which today owns The Greenway Hotel and Spa near Cheltenham and Bovey Castle in Devon.

Having been part of Warwickshire-based Eden's portfolio for eight years, it was offloaded in 2020 to a private owner as a lockdown renovation project.

Following an extensive overhaul of the ground floor and external features, and having re-opened it as a restaurant with rooms, the owner decided to concentrate on other projects and has sold it to PM Hospitality.

The firm's directors Andrew and Aimee Carveth, who have more than 20 years' experience running exclusive hire venues, have decided to restore the mansion to its original glory.

Andrew said the couple were thrilled to have come across The Mount Somerset.

"It's a striking period property that has been restored thoughtfully, but we still have the opportunity to complete the renovations that were started, and make our mark on this unique location," he added.

"The property compliments our other venues in the South West, which are popular locations for weddings and corporate events.

"We're looking forward to bringing The Mount Somerset back to the market as a place for people to celebrate their special occasions."

Ed Jefferson of Colliers specialist Hotels team, which handled the sale, added: "Large period properties like The Mount Somerset are beautiful projects and it's exciting to hear about Andrew and Aimee's plans to continue the renovations so that it can join their portfolio of stunning locations for events and celebrations in the South West."

Financial details of the deal have not been disclposed.

Von Essen's 28 properties also included Clivedon in Berkshire - the luxury hotel which played a key role in the 1960s Porfumo scandal.

Hospitality group snaps up Grade II-listed luxury hotel in latest change of ownership - South West