Higher Woodrow, Bishops Caundle, Sherborne, DT9

Holtwood Cottage is a charming, unlisted five bedroom stone built house, under a tiled roof that has formed part of a farm since William the Conqueror’s time and was even mentioned in the Dooms Day Book. It was purchased by the current owners as three very run down cottages in 1982 and converted into one residence, before an additional single storey annex was subsequently created in 1994. There is now an exciting opportunity for some general modernisation throughout to take full advantage of this fantastic setting. Set in circa an acre of land with some excellent outbuildings, providing further potential for a holiday cottage, substantial office and/or a party barn (subject to the necessary planning consents), this is a fabulous house in an idyllic spot.

The ground floor comprises of a study, a 29’4 ft sitting room with conservatory, opening out to the pretty gardens, providing an excellent space for both indoor/outdoor entertaining. There is an open fireplace with stone surround and original wooden panelling, adding to the charm and character of this property. The kitchen/dining room is traditionally fitted with a range of wooden base and wall units, an electric range oven (green), space and connection for a second oven, dishwasher and fridge/freezer. There is a large area for table and chairs and the pantry and utility room conveniently lie just off the kitchen. There are five bedrooms on the first floor, four of which face south overlooking the gardens and allowing the sunlight to stream in. There is a separate family bathroom and the principal bedroom has an ensuite bathroom and walk-in wardrobe.

In addition, attached to the house downstairs, there is a single storey, one bedroom self-contained annexe with sitting room, kitchen and bathroom, perfect for elderly relatives, guests or indeed it could easily be incorporated back into the main house.

GARDENS AND OUTBUILDINGS
A real feature of this property are its beautiful gardens and surroundings. The house is approached through wooden gates via a long driveway which leads up to the house through open fields. The large stone barn, workshop, summerhouse and greenhouse offer versatile outbuildings; the potential is endless.

The gardens are well stocked with a variety of shrubs and plants including a selection of roses, iris, lupins, delphiniums, day lilies, fritillaries and a Banksia climbing rose that entwines itself along the property. The small kitchen garden is ideal for those who would like to grow their own fruit and vegetables and the mature gardens are a pleasure and have been planted with a variety of trees which include sycamore, maple, apple and cherry.

Holtwood Cottage holds an enormous amount of charm and character and would make the ideal family home, striking the perfect balance between rural setting and convenient location, with all the amenities of Sherborne close by.

LOCATION
The location of Holtwood Cottage lies amidst some of the most unspoilt and lovely Blackmore Vale countryside, as the gently undulating pastureland gives way to the more rugged heights of Dogbury, Nettlecombe and Bulbarrow. Unsurprisingly this is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and little has changed over the centuries, remaining much as it was when Thomas Hardy immortalised it as the ‘Vale of the Little Dairies’ in his Wessex novels. Quiet lanes gently wind their way through this rural idyll with pretty villages comprising mainly period houses and cottages breaking up the lightly wooded landscape. Bishops Caundle has a Post Office/shop, public house, garage, church, and village hall.
The pretty town of Sherborne, renowned for its Abbey, schools and two castles, is approximately 6 miles away and offers a range of traditional shops, boutiques and supermarkets. Other accessible towns in the area include Blandford, Sturminster Newton, Shaftesbury, Yeovil and Dorchester.

Communications to this part of the world have improved markedly in recent years with the upgrading of the A303, to the M3 and London. To the north of the village, the A30 gives access to Shaftesbury and Salisbury and there are mainline railway stations in Sherborne and Templecombe, serving London Waterloo in a little over two hours and Exeter to the West.

SPORTING AND RECREATION
There are numerous golf courses within easy motoring distance including Sherborne and Yeovil. Racing at Wincanton, Salisbury, Bath and Exeter. Water sports on the Dorset coast (about 30 miles) or on Sutton Bingham Reservoir near Yeovil. The area is well known for its beauty and there is an extensive network of bridleways and footpaths. Theatres at Bath, Taunton, Salisbury, and Bournemouth. The Newt Country Estate and Hauser & Wirth, in Bruton, provide further cultural opportunities.

EDUCATION
The area is particularly noted for the high quality of its schools for children of all ages including independent schools such as Sherborne School for Boys, Sherborne School for Girls, Sherborne Preparatory School, Hazelgrove, Port Regis, Leweston and Bruton Schools as well as Bryanston School in Blandford Forum. The C of E Primary School, All Saints, is within the village and the highly regarded Gryphon and Gillingham Secondary Schools are easily accessible.