5 bedroom detached house

Dating back to the early 17th century and built of local stone and mellow red brick under a thatched roof, Ridouts Farmhouse is a charming and typical example of a large Dorset farmhouse of the period. It is named after the Ridout family from nearby Okeford Fitzpaine who were an established local family that included Roger Ridout (1736 – 1811), who was the local miller and led a highly successful and notorious gang of smugglers. The property has been the family home of its current owners for the past 23 years and has been updated and refurbished throughout that period including being fitted with a new roof in 1996, which was subsequently re-thatched only two years ago. It is Grade II listed and has retained many original architectural features including lovely inglenook fireplaces in the drawing and sitting rooms, exposed roof timbers, window seats and several beams (some of which might impede someone of above average height). The house has a south-west/north-east axis with the front looking out onto a quiet, country lane with unspoilt countryside beyond. Behind the house looks out towards the imposing feature of Bulbarrow Hill. There are three reception rooms on the ground floor. The sitting room is adjacent to the kitchen/breakfast room forming a family friendly hub and faces south-west, it has an oak parquet floor and is fitted with a woodburning stove. The kitchen is a good size with ample room for dining and is fitted with a range of units under timber work surfaces and a 2 oven AGA with a generously sized pantry/laundry room next door. It also has windows on two sides allowing in ample natural light with views out across the drive and paddocks towards Bulbarrow Hill. A wide staircase rises from the front entrance hall to the first floor landing, off which are two double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, two further double bedrooms both with vaulted ceilings, a single bedroom and the family bathroom.

Ridouts Farmhouse is approached by a sweeping drive to a large, gravelled parking area behind the house. To one side is a 1930's brick-built double garage which currently serves as a workshop and store. Beyond the annexe are a small vegetable garden and a stable block incorporating two loose boxes and a tack room. The garden extends around two sides of the farmhouse with a level lawn fringed with shrubs and studded with several fruit trees. Extending out from one end of the house is a large, paved terrace for outside entertaining. Beyond the garden are two fenced paddocks with mains-supplied water. In all about 8.94 acres (3.62 hectares). Agent's Note: Current planning consent (Ref: 2/2020/0486/HOUSE dated 22 July 2020) exists to rebuild the existing garage and to add an adjacent family room connected to the house by a glazed link.

Annexe
Set well apart from the main house is a brick-built, single storey barn with two later extensions on one end. This was converted about ten years ago creating a self-contained annexe with electric underfloor heating and comprising a fully fitted kitchen/breakfast room, large living room with a vaulted ceiling, windows on two sides and ample space for separate seating and dining areas, two double bedrooms (one with double doors providing wide access) and a bathroom. The building has consent for use as an annexe and has also been let successfully for holiday accommodation.

Hazelbury Bryan 1.5 miles, Sturminster Newton 6.3 miles, Blandford Forum 10 miles, Sherborne 11.5 miles (Waterloo 2.25 hours,) Dorchester 15 miles, Bournemouth Airport 28 miles. (Distances and time approximate.

Ridouts Farmhouse sits in a lovely position on the edge of the Blackmore Vale, set against the western side of Bulbarrow Hill as a backdrop. It is within the widespread hamlet of Stoke Wake and about a five minute drive to the thriving village of Hazelbury Bryan which has a primary school, village shop, pub, hall and cricket club. More extensive local amenities are available in the nearby small town of Sturminster Newton with the larger towns of Sherborne, Blandford Forum and Dorchester all within easy driving distance. For transport links, the property is within easy reach of the A357 to the north and the A354 to the south, both major east/west roads linking to the major road network. There are regular direct rail services from Sherborne to Waterloo. Bournemouth Airport is under an hour's drive and Exeter International Airport is about 90 minutes away. The area also offers a wide choice of good schools from both the state and independent sectors with Milton Abbey, Hanford, Knighton House, Bryanston, Leweston, Clayesmore and the Sherborne schools all within accessible reach.