Fifehead Magdalen, Gillingham, SP8

Occupying a gorgeous edge of village position, the home is perfectly nestled within its third of an acre garden accompanied by a useful double garage and electric car charging point. This fine cottage has been lovingly restored and extended including the addition of a substantial reception room, that offers a wide variety of uses, with a large loft above. Great attention has been paid to retaining and promoting many of the original hallmarks of the traditional cottage and retaining much of the homes period charm. This deceptively spacious home offers a wealth of character and light throughout and is perfectly suited to families and couples alike. The beautifully appointed, versatile accommodation includes a recently updated kitchen with integrated quality appliances set amongst modern wall and base units under stylish work surfaces. Adjoining the kitchen is the wonderful dining room that has a feature inglenook fireplace. A rear lobby provides storage for coats and boots and leads out to the rear garden. The sitting room is a room of particular note and is a wonderful size with a warming fireplace with an inset log burner. Beyond is the more recent extension that is a generous secondary reception room with French doors opening out to the rear garden. Completing the ground floor accommodation is a shower room and a separate cloakroom. On the first floor there are two bedrooms, the principal bedroom of which is a wonderful size with dual aspect windows giving views across the gardens to the rear and open countryside to the front. The room benefits from an excellent range of built-in wardrobes. The second bedroom is a good size and has an en-suite shower room. The family bathroom is also located on this floor. Stairs rise to the second floor where there are a further two generous double bedrooms.

Outside

The home is perfectly positioned on the edge of this picturesque Dorset village. A wide gravel driveway is to one side providing parking for multiple vehicles and giving access to the detached double garage. The pretty front garden is set behind a stone wall and is predominantly laid to lawn with well stocked herbaceous borders and tailored topiary perfectly framing the quintessential front elevation.

The beautiful rear garden is a particular feature of the home which has been meticulously designed and created and then allowed to mature over many years. Winding pathways meander through the grounds interlinking the various stone terraces and ornamental pond. There is a huge variety of herbaceous and flowering shrubs that provide texture and colour all year round. Plants include abundant honeysuckle, jasmine and roses. The expansive lawns are interspersed with various fruit trees, including apple, plum, quince, damson and pear. In addition, there is a productive kitchen garden with vegetable and herb beds. There is a good-sized shed with double doors and a separate greenhouse, both with electricity.

Situation

Fifehead Magdalen is a picture perfect rural village perfectly positioned amongst glorious rolling Dorset countryside. Within the village there is a charming 13th Century church and village hall. The nearby village of Marnhull has shops and facilities for everyday needs. West Stour provides a good range of everyday amenities including a church, a village hall, local garage with mini supermarket and the popular Ship Inn public house and restaurant. East Stour has the award-winning Udder Farm Shop, while Gillingham, Shaftesbury and Sherborne are all within easy reach. Gillingham is a thriving North Dorset town offering an excellent range of amenities, including a bank, church, post office, doctor’s surgery/pharmacy, pubs, cafes and shops, as well as Waitrose, Asda, Lidl and Aldi supermarkets. The beautiful, hilltop town of Shaftesbury, famous for its thatched cottages, boutique shops and Gold Hill, is only six miles away, whilst the cathedral cities of Bath and Salisbury (both approx. 50 minutes) offer more extensive shopping facilities. There is a direct train service from Gillingham Railway Station to London Waterloo (approx. 2hrs), as well as Exeter and the South West. There are also superb road links with the A303 (4 miles) providing access to the South West and to London via the M3, whilst the A350 provides access to the South Coast as well as the M4. The local bus service connects with Salisbury, Shaftesbury and other villages.

The renowned National Trust property, Stourhead, is also nearby. There is fishing at the nearby River Stour with a licence obtained from private clubs and organisations.