5 bedroom detached house

Most handsome former Mill House with glorious landscaped gardens and river frontage in the sought after Piddle Valley.



Description

Lackington Mill was once a water driven Corn Mill, likely to have originally been built in the 18th century and constructed over three storeys with part brick and flint, part rendered elevations under a slate roof. The house is situated in a glorious rural position within a most private, mature, landscaped garden setting. The house retains some nice period features including flag stone floors, sash windows, open fireplaces and exposed timbers. The house has been extended since its original construction, part of which now provides a spacious family kitchen with Mark Wilkinson units and an AGA range cooker. On the eastern side is an oak framed reception room with vaulted ceiling and fireplace with wood burning stove. Also on the ground floor is a reception hall with elegant staircase, south facing drawing room with French windows to a stone terrace and an open fireplace, a lovely dining room also with fireplace, a snug and a study. On the first floor is a principal bedroom suite with lovely views over the garden and a newly refurbished en suite shower room with marble fittings, three further bedrooms, bathroom and shower room and on the second floor is a further double bedroom with vaulted ceiling and exposed timbers and cloakroom..

OUTSIDE
Lackington Mill is accessed from a no through lane via timber gates onto a tree lined gravelled private drive which splits leading to a courtyard with oak framed threshing style barn and garaging for six cars and to a parking area at the front of the property. The gardens at Lackington are outstanding and thoughtfully landscaped to provide colour and interest throughout the year in what is a glorious setting between open farmland to the west and the free flowing chalk river Piddle in the east. Immediately to the rear of the house on the south side is a stone terrace with a flint wall and flower border. Steps lead up to a level lawn where there is a fine Copper Beech tree and tall mature hedging. The garden to the south east is divided into enclosures, with a charming walled swimming pool area and pool building, leading into a walled kitchen garden and orchard and from there into an Italian style garden with mature hedging, gravelled paths and a raised circular brick pond. A wooden gate from here opens to a wonderful framed view of the topiary Yew hedging, drawing the eye towards the southern boundary. This part of the garden provides a hard tennis court, a Pleached Lime ‘walk’ and a copse with mature trees. The River Piddle runs from North to south though the property with part single, part double bank access, with a wooden bridge to cross. To the north the garden is awash with mature trees including Cedar, Silver Birch, Cherry and Walnut, to name but a few.

Location

Lackington Mill is located on the edge of the quiet hamlet of White Lackington in the sought after Piddle Valley where the River Piddle runs through to Poole Harbour.

The hamlet resides between Piddlehinton and the larger village of Piddletrenthide which has a village store and a well regarded primary school.

The Thimble Inn public house is within walking distance of the house.

Buckland Newton and Cerne Abbas, home of the famous chalk giant, also provide amenities.

The county town of Dorchester is just seven miles and has an excellent variety of shopping, educational and recreational facilities.

The Abbey town of Sherborne and coastal resort of Weymouth are within easy driving distance.

Railway stations are conveniently situated at Sherborne and Dorchester, both of which provide a mainline service to London Waterloo.

Sporting facilities in the area include golf at Sherborne, Yeovil, Blandford and Dorchester.

Horse racing at Wincanton, Exeter and Bath and water sports can be enjoyed along the Jurassic coastline to the south at Poole Harbour and Weymouth Bay.

There is walking and riding in the surrounding countryside with its numerous footpaths and bridleways.

The area is noted for its excellent independent schools including Sherborne School for Boys, Sherborne School for Girls, Sherborne Preparatory School, Sunninghill Preparatory Dorchester, Leweston, Hazlegrove, Port Regis and Perrott Hill. State schools include Thomas Hardye in Dorchester and The Piddle Valley First School in Piddletrenthide.

Square Footage: 4,232 sq ft



Directions

From Dorchester head north on the B3143 into the Piddle Valley. Proceed past the Thimble Inn public house and after about ½ mile turn left (there is a dead end sign). Continue down the slope and around the left hand bend. The gates for Lackington Mill will be straight ahead.