Newton, Sturminster Newton

A great opportunity to purchase a piece of English Heritage with this Grade II listed property - boasting in excess of 3416 sq. ft (317 sq. m) of accommodation with three double sized bedrooms, two reception rooms and two, two bedroom holiday cottages - all sitting in just over half an acre. The history of the property is as important as that of the accommodation as the next lucky owner will become custodian of its legacy.

This charming home is situated on the edge of the conservation area of the town and is, quite literally, crammed to the rafters with character features. The cottage is thought to date back to the 15th century when was a traditional hall house and there are many exposed ceiling beams and timber frameworks, cottage windows with deep sills, window seats and two inglenook fireplaces, one with the salt cupboard plus a further fireplace with the original bread oven. Some of the internal walls still retain the original linen fabrication, as well as exposed plank and muntin panelling. Also exhibited is an exposed part of a former external wall showing the wattle and daub construction. There are many other delightful historic details, such as little display alcoves, and a passage linking the sitting room and kitchen.

Outside, the property benefits from one of the former outbuildings being sympathetically converted to two holiday cottages, which have been successfully providing a yearly turnover of between £20,000 and £25,000 pa. There is the option for the next owner to continue with this or equally, they could be used to house dependent relatives, needing a helping hand now and again or maybe for an older child not yet ready to fly the nest. Subject to the necessary permissions, there is a further outbuilding that could be developed into extra accommodation or work from home space, if required.

The whole property must be explored to truly appreciate all that it has to offer.

The Property -

Accommodation -

Inside - Ground Floor
Living at the property you would enter via the stable door to the rear of the cottage. This opens into a large combined kitchen and dining room that retains many character features. There are exposed ceiling beams and wood framework, fireplace with the original bread oven and flagstone hearth and interesting details such as the display alcoves. The kitchen area is fitted with a range of modern Shaker style units consisting of floor cupboards some with drawers. plenty of work surfaces with a tiled splash back and stainless steel sink and drainer with a swan neck mixer tap. There is space and plumbing for a dishwasher, fridge/freezer and range cooker - these may be bought by separate negotiation. There is a door that opens into the sitting room and a passage by the side of the chimney breast that also provides access to the sitting room.

The sitting room again is full of character features with ceiling beams and wood framework as well as a super inglenook fireplace with Bressummer beam, the old salt upboard and the passage into the kitchen. From the sitting room there is a door to an inner hall with a feature exposed wattle and daub wall, utility area and doors leading off to the wet room, store room and the guest laundry/boot room. Also from the sitting room, an original style door opens into the formal entrance hall with doors to the front and rear of the property and stairs rising to the first floor. On the other side of the hall is a further reception room offering flexible usage and fitted with book/storage shelves. It too has character features, including an impressive inglenook fireplace.

First Floor
The landing provides access to all three double bedrooms and the bathroom. There is also a built-in cupboard, access to the eaves and more historic detail, including plank and muntin panels and internal walls made from linen. Bedroom one has a pitched ceiling and a view to the rear, and two large built-in cupboards. Bedroom two has a front aspect and two large built-in cupboards and bedroom three, also has a pitched ceiling with exposed timbers with a view to the side and one large eaves cupboard. The bathroom is fitted with a modern suite consisting of Victorian style bath with mixer tap and telephone style shower attachment, shower cubicle with electric shower, low level WC and a wall mounted wash hand basin.

Outside - Parking, Workshop and Garage
The property is approached from the road onto a block paved pull in where a metal gate opens to the parking. There is plenty of room for multiple vehicles, including boats, caravans or motor homes. There is a small storage/potting shed, workshop attached to the holiday lets and detached garage, which offers the potential to develop into another holiday cottage, subject to the necessary permissions.

Gardens
The main garden lies to the side of the drive, mostly laid to lawn with borders planted with a variety of cottage plants. There is a working well, pergola walk and vegetable patch with greenhouse. There is another part to the garden, accessed through the trees into a clearing, which offers a hideaway quiet place to relax in the summerhouse. At the back of the cottage and holiday lets there is more lawned garden plus a seating area with some of the original flagstones. In total the plot extends to 0.57 of an acre.

The Holiday Cottages -

Jasmine and Rose - The Holiday Cottages
The two cottages provide the same accommodation as each other. There is a double bedroom and single bedroom, modern shower room plus an open plan living space with kitchen area that is fitted with cupboards, work surfaces with tiled splash back and sink and includes a built in electric oven and hob plus a fridge. The cottages are heated via electric wall mounted panel heaters.
The potential turnover is in the region of £20,000 to £25,000 per annum.

Useful Information -

Energy Efficiency Rating ' Exempt' - Grade II Listed
Council Tax Band F
Original Cottage Windows - nearly all with secondary glazing
Gas Fired Central Heating from a Combination Boiler - main residence and Electric Heating - holiday lets
Mains Drainage
Freehold

The Location -

Sturminster Newton - The property is situated on the fringe of the market town of Sturminster Newton. Steeped in history and tradition, the town still has a Monday Market and offers a combination of country and town living with easy access to some fabulous walking tracks, including the Trailway and nearby is the famous water mill. There is a range of independent shops and chain stores, doctor and dentist surgeries, schooling for all ages and a variety of entertainment venues. Further facilities which are all about 10 miles away, may be found at Blandford, Shaftesbury, Sherborne and Gillingham both of, which have mainline train stations, serving London Waterloo and Exeter St. David's.

Directions -

From Sturminster Newton - Leave Sturminster via Bridge Street. At the traffic lights proceed over the bridge and turn right onto the A357 heading towards Sherborne. The property will be found a short distance on the right hand side before the turning to Stalbridge Lane. Postcode DT10 2DQ