3 bedroom detached house for sale

An attractive detached Grade II thatched cottage set in beautiful gardens amounting to approximately 0.4 acre with a most peaceful and private village setting. Wealth of charm and character with 3/4 bedrooms, shower and bathroom. Timber garage, separate workshop and range of outbuildings. LEASEHOLD 71 Years - With option to extend. No Onward Chain.

Monmouth Cottage is a marvellous detached cottage which seems to exude a unique personality of its very own. Originally built as a hall house in the 1640s and justifiably Grade II Listed, this exceptionally attractive property is infused with charm and character and features a romantically traditional cottage facade, reminiscent of chocolate boxes and picture postcards, which is complimented by much loved gardens and outbuildings. Originally the property was two cottages built as a hall house and used a one family dwelling. There followed, the next three centuries, and a number of Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and later improvements and modernisations. The most drastic improvement being the changing of the pitch on the rear elevation of the thatch roof, allowing for more bedroom accommodation. Among many of the previous owners, included the Swetmans who were the maternal grandparents to the author and poet Thomas Hardy. 
Internally the accommodation is spacious and versatile with opportunities throughout to adapt existing spaces to suit a range of needs. The ground floor accommodation is a particular example of this; in addition to the flagstone entrance hallway are 3 reception rooms, a utility room and a kitchen fitted with a range of traditional units and an electric double oven and oil fired Aga, there is a sizeable utility together with separate boot room, and allied with the ground floor WC this gives the opportunity for single storey living if required.
 A feature of the property is the dining room where a plethora of characterful attributes combine with more modern qualities to create a comfortable and endearing space. Exposed beams span the ceiling, together with Elm panelling separating the room, and the eye is drawn to the inglenook fireplace and bread oven. An equally attractive sitting room has a good degree of natural light with feature fireplace and wood burner, together with doorway to the original curved stairwell.  
A secondary set of stars also leads upstairs and the accommodation is well proportioned with three bedrooms with feature windows. The master bedroom, which can be reached by secondary staircase from the dining room, interlinks with the dressing room and shower room. There is also a family bathroom and study. With configuration, the first floor could be reconfigured to provide four bedrooms. 

Services and Outgoings
Mains electricity and water. Oil fired central heating. Septic tank which has been serviced and is in working order, compliant with general binding rules. Annual ground rent £440 p/a payable to Ilchester Estates
Thatch - The ridge and front elevation was tended to in 2023. Main body of thatched deemed to need rethatching in 10-12 years.
Council Tax Band G. Superfast broadband available in the area from 1st June with reported sppeds of 250Mbps download/125Mbps upload.

Agents Note
The property is offered with a lease length of 71 years. At the time of publication the freeholder, Ilchester Estates, have provided written confirmation of their willingness to extend the lease to 90 years for a charge of £55,000 plus administrative fees of £2,500. The lease extension is not mandatory, however the guide price reflects the future associated cost to the buyer.

A wonderful edge-of-village location compliments the country cottage aura of this splendid property, with nothing but peace and tranquillity. The plot is wonderfully secluded, making this a relaxing environment in which to unwind, and the property enjoys far-reaching countryside views to the rear, creating a sense of amiable isolation yet with the benefit of neighbouring properties and amenities within close proximity. This highly popular village is located within a picturesque rural valley with excellent access to local road networks, just off the Dorchester/Yeovil Road (A37). At the centre of the village lies the church of St Osmond with its active community centred around the village hall. There is also a children's recreation ground with play equipment, tennis court and boule court. Local facilities are available in the nearby village of Evershot. These include a popular primary school, general stores, post office and public house. Excellent schools in the area include Primary at Evershot and East Coker, Secondary at Gryphon School in Sherborne and others at Yeovil, Beaminster and Crewkerne.  Prep schools at Sherborne, Hazelgrove and North Perrott. Independent schools at Park School Yeovil, Sherborne and Leweston. Communication by rail to London Waterloo from Yeovil Junction. Regional airports at Bristol, Bournemouth and Exeter.

The care and attention that has been devoted outside is abundantly obvious. The gardens surround the property with a delightful gravelled cottage garden to the front where pathways wind between manicured flower and shrub beds, separated from the lane by a wall and hedging. The gravelled driveway leads to a generous area of parking and detached timber garage. There is also a wood store and separate workshop with power close by.  
The rear garden is also laid to lawn interspersed with well-tended flower beds and mature trees, stretching back to sections of the garden which are laden with fruit trees, a greenhouse and raised beds for growing vegetables. A particularly endearing element of this garden is the summerhouse, abutted by a sun terrace and walkway to the garden.
Monmouth Cottage also enjoys a range of  brick outbuildings; the former privy, garden store and potting shed.