This pretty Grade II-listed detached cottage is believed to date from the late-18th or early-19th century. Located in the heart of Fontmell Magna, opposite the village's beautiful church, the cottage is brilliantly placed for walks in Dorset's bucolic countryside. Well located, the village has its own shop and post office, and is a short drive from Gillingham, which has direct trains to London Waterloo station in under two hours. Dorset's exceptional coastline is also approximately 35 miles from the village. Surrounded by a lovely garden, the house has a sun-drenched south-facing terrace and far-reaching views over rolling countryside, including the rounded hill of Fontmell Down.

Setting the Scene

The cottage is constructed from stone, under a thatched roof. An Edwardian stable block, built using brick under clay roof tiles, was incorporated into the house in 1925. Over the years the cottage and its stables have had many lives, including as a shop (which gave the house its two unusually large windows,) a bicycle repair shop, and a garage. At one time, it was used as a clay pigeon shooting club.

A large tree, termed the Gossips - or Preacher's - tree by locals, sits outside on the small green and is central to the village. At one stage May Day celebrations were held around it; pilgrims making their way to Shaftesbury Abbey would stop to pray and take alms from the house opposite. This is where the unique name of this cottage – Gossips Tree Cottage – originates from.

The Grand Tour

A front door opens onto a generous glazed porch area, perfect for kicking off boots and hanging up coats. This leads to both a study, which sits at the front of the house, as well as a marvellous open-plan kitchen and dining room. With magnificently high ceilings and an abundance of glazing, this room is light and airy. This area features wooden floors underfoot; the smart kitchen includes bespoke cupboards painted in 'Scotch Grey' by Sanderson, set against wooden worktops. Characterful tongue and groove panelling clads one wall. One door opens to the garden, whilst another leads to a useful utility space – which, in turn, leads outside.

The sitting room is located in the oldest part of the cottage with a large inglenook now home to a warming multi-fuel stove. Windows are complete with window seats, with a further two sets of French doors leading out to the garden and terraced area. There is also a bathroom with freestanding bath on this floor.

The top floor is home to two good-sized double bedrooms, with lovely views over the village church and the garden respectively. The larger bedroom has an ensuite with bath and shower, whilst the other has its own basin.

The Great Outdoors 

The garden is full of shrubs and flowers which come to life in spring, including hardy geranium phaeums and aquilegias which burst into life in their multiple beautiful colours. Summer brings a swathe of white – initially on the wildflower bank due to the sweet-smelling meadowsweet, before various other white plants crop up amongst the borders.

The garden is punctuated by large topiary shapes, including the Taxus bacatta yew and tall Irish Yews; honeysuckle has been cloud-pruned and encloses part of the top garden.

Out and About

Fontmell Magna is a popular village in the middle of the Dorset countryside and on the edge of the Cranborne Chase AONB, which intersects Wiltshire, Hampshire, Dorset and Somerset. Its 380 square miles are home to a series of intersecting footpaths that cross the rare chalk grassland – ancient woodlands and chalk escarpments characterising this historic landscape.

The village is home to a highly regarded primary school, a delightful village shop/tea room, popular The Fontmell pub and a village hall. The acclaimed Springhead Trust is also located in the village – a place of education for all ages that demonstrates ways of experiencing and valuing the rural environment and educates on the sustainable use of natural resources, as well as how to conserve buildings and their gardens. Based in a beautiful mill house with springs in the gardens, it is now part of an environmental trust.

The nearby ancient Saxon hilltop town of Shaftesbury enjoys superb views over the surrounding countryside. It has a good range of facilities including schools, independent cafés and restaurants. The closeby Compton Abbas Airfield is also home to a new café, which was recently opened by acclaimed director Guy Ritchie.

Shaftesbury and the large village of Tisbury are both easily reached by car, playing host to regular Charter and Farmers’ Markets, book and vintage fairs, an annual food festival, and the occasional French market. The popular Beckford Arms and art centre Messums are both about 25 minutes away by car.

Bruton is 40 minutes by car; its excellent dining options include the Michelin-starred Osip, The Old Pharmacy, At the Chapel, The Newt and Roth Bar and Grill at the must-visit Hauser and Wirth gallery. Home chefs will be delighted by the fresh ingredients at Durslade Farm Shop. In the nearby village of Batcombe, Margot Henderson’s recently opened The Three Horseshoes adds to the excellent dining options in the area.

The A303 is easily accessed to the north giving access to the rest of the South West and to London. The cathedral city of Salisbury is approximately 22 miles and the Dorset Coast is approximately 35 miles distant.

Council Tax Band: E