Rockbourne, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6

A delightful Grade II listed cottage in wonderful gardens of approximately 0.5 acre in the picturesque Downland village of Rockbourne.

Reputedly one of the oldest dwellings in the village, Pennys Cottage is a wonderful, versatile period home displaying character and heritage in abundance behind a most attractive timber framed and render facade. The current owner has carefully sought to preserve and, where possible, enhance the history of the house and many principal rooms feature exposed ceiling and wall timbers and and magnificent fireplaces in the sitting and dining rooms. The house has evolved over the years and a later rear extension, currently used as a ground floor bedroom and well-fitted wet room, has added a degree of versatility to the accommodation. To the front of the cottage are two well-proportioned reception rooms including a generous sitting room featuring fireplaces at either end of the room. The first floor is home to two further double bedrooms, an en suite bathroom and the option of a dressing room or extra single bedroom. Externally, there is an excellent garage outbuilding with adjoining store or work-from-home office space and the cottage sits in well-stocked, landscaped gardens extending to approximately 0.5 acre that offer a high degree of privacy.

The sought after Downland village of Rockbourne sits amidst lovely rolling countryside, much of which is a designated Conservation Area. Rockbourne is home to a thriving community that benefits from a reputable primary school - which is within walking distance - a village hall, a church and popular, community-run public house, The Rose & Thistle.

The Avonside town of Fordingbridge (approx. 4 miles) provides a comprehensive range of day to day services, including schooling within both the state and private sector, a medical/health centre, a good range of local shops, a building society and a library. The excellent communications network allows ready access to the regional centres of Salisbury, Bournemouth and Southampton; all have mainline rail links to London Waterloo and there are airports at the latter two. A myriad of footpaths and bridleways exist in the surrounding area and there is magnificent out-riding to be had on near-by Whitsbury Downs; the contrasting moor, heath and woodland of the New Forest is approximately five miles to the East.

The cottage is approached via a small vehicular bridge that spans the village winter bourne, leading to a generous gravelled driveway that supplies ample parking and turning space for several vehicles. To the side of the driveway is the detached GARAGE with wooden doors and an adjoining STORE ROOM/OFFICE, with power and light connected and a separate personal door.

The cottage sits to the front of an expansive, delightful garden plot that extends to approximately 0.5 acre. From the driveway a yew arch opens to an expanse of well-tended lawn with deep, well-stocked flower and shrub borders, gravelled pathways and a pretty seating area under a mature oak whose canopy provides plentiful shade. A second arch leads through to a further section of garden laid to lawn and featuring flourishing fruit cages, all enclosed by a mature tree lined perimeter. A pathways winds its back down the side of the garden to the cottage, passing through a rose garden and arriving at a generous patio area that can be accessed from the kitchen/breakfast room. The gardens are notable for the high degree of privacy they offer.

New Forest District Council. Tax Band G.

Mains water and electricity. Private drainage. Oil fired central heating.

Leave Fordingbridge towards Sandleheath and Damerham on the B3078. On reaching Sandleheath, turn right at the crossroads sign posted to Rockbourne and proceed into the village. Pennys Cottage will be found as the last property on the right hand side shortly after the Rose and Thistle pub.