Bessells, Shroton, Blandford Forum, DT11

Built in the early 1800s and then extended in the 1970s, Bessells Cottage is an attractive, well maintained semi-detached thatched cottage in need of updating. It has been successfully enlarged in recent years to make the most of its lovely views of both Hambledon Hill and the surrounding countryside. The accommodation is sensibly configured and offers considerable scope to extend further as has been done next door at both ground and first floor levels. As well as good reception space, there is a ground floor bedroom with en-suite shower room and two further bedrooms with a family bathroom at first floor level. Subject to the necessary consents there is space for a further bath/shower room adjoining the family bathroom. There would be scope, subject to planning, to increase the size of the cottage appreciably. The ridge was replaced in 2019 and the thatch inspected for insurance purposes in 2022. Other attributes include a large inglenook fireplace with a bread oven in the downstairs bedroom.

The property is approached off a quiet lane onto a car parking area for several cars adjoining which is a single garage with up-and-over door with power and water and a garden shed. There is a small area of garden to the front bordering the lane with a picket fence. Approached from the car parking area, there is a path leading to the breakfast room with a delightful area of garden. This comprises lawn, an wildlife pond, apple trees and shrubs. The majority of the garden is to the side and to the rear and provides a delightful backdrop to the cottage. A terrace extends the full width of the rear facade, connecting to a secluded courtyard. There are steps up to the rear garden, with established and well-maintained herbaceous borders and lawns.

Services: Mains water, electricity and drainage. Oil fired central heating.
Council Tax: Band E
EPC: Band D
Local Authorities: dorsetcouncil.co.uk

Bessells Cottage is situated on the northern outskirts of Shroton, which lies midway between Shaftesbury and Blandford Forum. It is a pretty and popular village with The Cricketers pub, a cricket ground, a large village green and a children’s playground. The neighbouring village of Iwerne Minster has a good range of everyday facilities, including an excellent post office/village store, a pub, a children’s playground and an excellent café (The Writers Block) at Clayesmore School. For a wider range of facilities there is the Saxon hilltop town of Shaftesbury to the north, and the Georgian town of Blandford Forum to the south. Both Blandford Forum and Shaftesbury have a wide range of shops including supermarkets, delicatessens, cafes, doctors and dental surgeries, libraries, an arts centre, veterinary surgeries, small hospitals and schools. There are mainline railway stations in both Tisbury and Gillingham (London Waterloo) and the A303 lies some 13 miles to the north giving access to the south west and London, via the M3.