A COMFORTABLE 1950’S HOUSE AND A PERFECT PROJECT, WITH ABOUT 5 ACRES OF MATURE WOODED GARDEN AND ITS OWN SMALL ARBORETUM

In a quiet and private setting on the edge of the village, Lawsbrook is a comfortable brick built house dating from the 1950’s. It is surrounded by over 5 acres of lovely mature gardens and grounds, including a small arboretum, and it has been home to our client’s family for well over 60 years. The house was solidly constructed, and in its day would have been of the best quality, but it is now beginning to show its age and although it has been very well maintained it would benefit from some simple cosmetic updating and refurbishment, work that might include knocking through some of the rooms and fitting a new kitchen and bathrooms. In its current form the accommodation extends to about 2,600 sq/ft (incl. adjoining garage) and comprises a central hall with three reception rooms along the front of the house and at the back a generous kitchen/breakfast room and family room overlooking the garden. A cloak room and downstairs bathroom complete the ground floor and upstairs there are four bedrooms and a shower room. Lawsbrook does have the benefit of double glazing and gas fired central heating and it is a very adequate house just as it is, but the layout and all the surrounding space means there is enormous potential to extend (subject to the usual consents) and put a more substantial property in its place, which is why we describe this as a perfect project.

Turning in from the lane there is a wide gravel drive next to the house and in front of the detached single garage. From here the garden spreads out around the house with a series of large sweeping lawns without too much apparent formal planting. However, the green sand soil supports a variety of azaleas and camellias, and the structured tree planting across nearly four acres has created a wonderful arboretum with lovely walks through glades of seasonal bluebells, wild garlic and in the Autumn the striking colour change. A very lovely setting for the house.

Lawsbrook is discreetly situated off a quiet lane on the outskirts of Shillingstone, a thriving and sought-after village with a Co-op convenience store, a petrol station, a pub (The Ox), a visiting post office in the church centre and a successful Primary School. More local amenities are nearby in Sturminster Newton, and for a wider range of shops and services it is only a short drive into Blandford Forum where there is an M&S Food Hall, Tesco & Lidl superstores. On the other side of the village, off the playing field (with cricket ground) there is direct access on to the Dorset Trailway which makes it very easy to enjoy the walking and cycling in the lovely countryside around the village. In addition to that the coast is generally under an hours’ drive away at Poole Harbour, Studland Bay or along Dorset’s renowned Jurassic Coastline, and there are many other good opportunities for sport and recreation in the area. Gillingham is the nearest train station (London Waterloo around 2 hours) and the A303 is about 20 miles to the North bringing London within reasonable driving distance via the M3. This part of Dorset has become well known for its wide choice of schools at all levels and as well as the village Primary School, Blandford, Sturminster Newton and Gillingham all have good state secondary schools. Independent schools nearby include Bryanston, Milton Abbey, Sherborne, Canford and Clayesmore as well as Hanford, Bryanston Prep, Sandroyd and Port Regis prep schools.

Mains water, electricity and gas are available at the property. Private drainage (septic tank – non-compliant). Gas fired central heating. Good Broadband (Wessex Internet available)