3 bedroom detached house

An enchanting, detached period cottage with generous garage and parking, constructed of coursed rubble stone under a thatched roof, which was completely re-thatched 7 years ago. The cottage is thought to date back to the mid-18th century, with later sympathetic additions and wholly earns its Grade II listing as a place of Architectural and Historical importance, with many period features retained, such as exposed timbers and beams, a fine Inglenook fireplace with bread oven, deep cills, and shelved niches.

Once owned by the village carpenter/wheelwright, the cottage has immense character and charm, and provides all the requisite ‘nooks and crannies’ expected of a property of this age. To ensure the property is fit for the demands of modern-day living, the owners, during their tenure, have carried out a programme of significant improvements. A downstairs shower room/cloakroom with under floor heating has been added, next to the study/bedroom three, which could provide en-suite facilities if required, subject to the necessary planning permissions. The sunroom/dining room, with double French doors to the kitchen and the paved terrace, perfect for al fresco dining, has been extended and is now a lovely, convivial space for family gatherings and ideal for entertaining. On the first floor, a spiral staircase was added, providing access to a useful loft room with exposed beams and A frames.

The good size kitchen/breakfast room, which is double aspect, has exposed ceiling beams, an Italian ceramic tiled floor and a good range of pitch pine base and wall units with maple worktops, and integrated under counter Bosch dishwasher, space and connection for a refrigerator. There’s even a cream 2 oven (oil) Aga to keep you warm! A part glazed door gives access to the front garden.

Accessed via a thatched entrance porch is the charming and good-size double aspect sitting room with exposed ceiling timbers and beams plus an impressive inglenook fireplace with bread oven (sealed) and inset multi-fuel stove and bressummer beam over, providing a focal point and ensuring a cosy atmosphere. Beside the fireplace is the enclosed cottage style staircase to the first floor.

Stairs rise to the first-floor landing with rear aspect window with window seat and access to the main bedroom with front aspect and fitted wardrobes. Following on is bedroom two with deep cill and recessed fitted wardrobes. Also on this floor is the family bathroom. A useful and generous loft room with exposed ceiling beams, A frames and panelled walls is accessed from the landing via a spiral staircase.

The property is approached from the village lane to a parking area for two cars, and the good-sized garage with up and over door. From here, steps lead to a timber bin and log store, beyond which is the entrance gate to the front of the cottage. The gardens which lie primarily to the front and side of the property are completely enclosed by stone walling, with a lime tree hedge, further evergreen hedging and close boarded fencing providing a good degree of privacy and seclusion.

Lovingly nurtured over the years, the glorious gardens are an undoubted feature of the property and are a real delight, providing an oasis of peace and calm, the perfect place to while away the afternoon.

The front garden is mainly paved with a beautifully planted parterre with low box hedging with an ornamental pond and a selection of colourful plants and shrubs, including established scented climbing roses and jasmine which adorn the front of the cottage. Paved pathways and stone steps lead to hidden ‘rooms’ of substantial areas of lawn dotted with numerous, cleverly sculpted topiary and box balls, providing interest and form.

Immediately abutting the side of the house and accessed from the dining room via double French doors is a sheltered and private terrace, perfect for alfresco dining and evening drinks. Steps lead to a further paved walkway with an abundance of stone edged raised beds planted with a dazzling array of mature shrubs and richly stocked flower beds. The planting, which is diverse and colourful include, amongst many others, roses, clematis, hellebores, peonies, hebes, echinops, as well as further vivid, mixed borders providing colour and cover, the natural beauty of which can be enjoyed all year round.

There is also a good selection of carefully curated trees including a number of fruit trees – plum, apple and a weeping pear, as well as Judas, snowdrop, winter flowering cherry, amelanchier and cornus, amongst others.

In the garden to the rear of the garage is a stone workshop with power and light, and planning permission in place to extend it to form a sizeable workshop or studio.

The lasting impression of this property, is of a charming historic cottage, set in magical gardens within a very sought-after village.

Stourton Caundle lies in the heart of the Blackmore Vale and is a pretty village tucked away from main roads. This wonderful landscape, which has changed little for centuries, comprises mainly dairy farms and thus the area is predominantly grassland, broken up with hedges and small woodland coverts. This gently undulating landscape is well known for its beauty and was immortalised by Thomas Hardy in his Wessex novels, since which time it has remained unspoilt. To the south, the Dorset Downs rise up with the majestic heights of Bulbarrow and High Stoy in the distance.

The heart of the village, which is a Conservation Area, comprises mainly period stone houses and cottages and has a public house. The nearest shops are in the small town of Stalbridge, which is just three miles away, or the post office/stores at Bishops Caundle (2 miles). Which also has a primary school.

The pretty town of Sherborne, renowned for its Abbey, schools and two castles, is approximately 6 miles away and offers a range of traditional shops, boutiques and supermarkets. Other accessible towns in the area include Blandford, Sturminster Newton, Shaftesbury, Yeovil and Dorchester.

Communications to this part of the world have improved markedly in recent years with the upgrading of the A303, to the M3 and London. To the north of the village, the A30 gives access to Shaftesbury and Salisbury and there are main line railway stations in Sherborne and Templecombe, serving London Waterloo in a little over two hours.