Charming Grade II listed village house privately set among its beautiful gardens and grounds with rolling countryside views

Description

Charlton Horethorne House is an exceptionally handsome Grade II listed country house towards the northern edge of this sought after village. The house sits in a private position overlooking its stunning six acres of gardens and grounds as well as the rolling Somerset and Dorset countryside beyond.

Built in the 17th century, with a major 19th century extension, the house is constructed of attractive local Hamstone with ashlar dressings. The roof is banded with fish scale tiles and large stone tiles make up the lowest courses.

Boasting substantial windows with leaded lights set in stone mullions, the house, even on a dull day, is bathed in light especially as it faces south and most of the principal rooms and bedrooms have dual aspects. Along with a number of elegant period features, including panelled window seats and handsome chimneypieces, this delightful property is brimming with character.

When the current owners purchased Charlton Horethorne House they undertook an extensive renovation, enhancing many of the building’s charming features whilst adapting the house to modern living, and have meticulously maintained the property since.

All the main rooms benefit from good proportions making it perfect for entertaining. Combined with a spacious family kitchen, with four-oven AGA, stone flooring with under-floor heating, direct access to the garden via two sets of French doors and triple aspects, Charlton Horethorne House is also a charming family home.

Arriving at a gated parking area, a garden path guides you through the walled garden to an attractive stone porch. An impressive ancient wooden front door leads you into an inviting drawing room where there is an easy flow of rooms through the dining room to the central hall and kitchen. A sitting room and cloakroom lead off the central hall.

There are two additional entrances: one to the kitchen, which conveniently has additional parking, and the other on Gunville Lane. The latter leads to the central hall via a characterful stairwell with stone steps and beautiful old wood panelling.

Essential for country living, there is a large utility room and also on the lower ground floor is a spacious pantry with slate shelves, as well as a fitted wine cellar with perfect storage conditions.

A central staircase with gracefully turned balustrades and a gorgeous floor to ceiling window on the first landing leads to seven bedrooms and four bathrooms; a study on the second floor landing; and a laundry room on the first floor.

The large principal bedroom and adjoining bathroom are of particular note with dual aspect and views over the gardens and the valley beyond.

Gardens and grounds

The exquisite gardens and grounds extend to approximately six acres providing all the pleasures of an English country garden and perfectly complement this fabulous house. The gardens are secluded and the grounds comprise an extensive combination of formal gardens with blue lias stone paths, herb garden, paddocks, parkland, woodland and tennis court.

The formal gardens, which are south-facing, are surrounded and segmented by attractive stone walls and have well-stocked and colourful herbaceous borders, terraced lawns, ornamental trees, sculptured box balls and a yew hedge. At the end of the formal garden is a terraced stone firepit area adjacent to the tennis court which is surrounded by a beech tree hedge.

The parkland has a large number of fine mature trees including copper beech, horse chestnut, silver birch, yew, walnut, tulip, holly, mulberry, holm oak and apple trees. This area has a historic pond, which could be reinstated, and is bordered by a beech tree copse and further woodland with a stream running through it.

On the western boundary there are two stock-proof fenced paddocks separated by an old stone wall offering exceptional views of Golden Valley.

Stables and outbuildings

Charlton Horethorne House is complemented by an array of attractive stone outbuildings which provide excellent storage, garaging and stabling as well as the opportunity for redevelopment (subject to planning consent).

These outbuildings include: Victorian coach house with stables, tack room, hay loft, storeroom and adjoining hen house; log barn with vaulted ceiling and large stone floor; and large barn currently used as a garage.

Location

Charlton Horethorne House is privately positioned towards the northern edge of this picturesque and popular village which is nestled within a beautiful valley on the Somerset/Dorset border.

The house and grounds have stunning views across the valley and are surrounded by a number of rural walks as well as being connected to the centre of the village with its pub and village shop via a private pathway.

The thriving village of Charlton Horethorne comprises an attractive mixture of old houses and cottages, and hosts the well-stocked Village Shop, primary school, parish church, active Village Hall and renowned public house and restaurant, the Kings Arms. The nearby towns of Sherborne, Wincanton and Yeovil offer a range of shops and supermarkets, and the regional centres of Bath and Bristol are around an hour's drive away offering a further extensive range of amenities.

Although situated amidst beautiful and unspoilt countryside, Charlton Horethorne House is readily accessible by road, rail and air. The property lies three miles from the A303, which provides a direct link via the M3 to London as well as to Devon and Cornwall, and from Templecombe (four miles) and Castle Cary (nine miles) there are regular fast trains to Waterloo and Paddington Stations. Bristol Airport is an hour’s drive away.

The area is known for its well-regarded schools including Bryanston School, Hazlegrove Preparatory School, Leweston School, Millfield School, Port Regis School and Sherborne Schools.

Square Footage: 5,166 sq ft


Acreage: 5.9 Acres

Directions

Directions

From London take the M3 west. Join the A303 and proceed as far as Wincanton. Leave the dual carriageway and follow the signs for the A357 towards Blandford. After approximately two miles turn right onto the B3145 towards Sherborne. After passing the village sign of Charlton Horethorne, take the first right into Water Lane and the next left into Gunville Lane. Charlton Horethorne House is the only house on the left.

Postcode: DT9 4NX

Additional Info

Broadband connection

Fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) broadband at an approximate speed of 54 Mbps (download) and six Mbps (upload). In the process of connecting fibre to the premises (FTTP) via Wessex Internet.

Nearby attractions

The Jurassic Coast in Dorset is 29 miles to the south.

The Newt in Somerset with its renowned gardens, museums and hospitality is within easy access as is the art gallery, restaurant and gardens of Hauser & Wirth, both of which are situated towards Bruton, eight miles to the north.