Melcombe Bingham, Dorchester, DT2.

Bingham's Melcombe has been in the same family for two generations and is a warm, welcoming family home with enormous charm and historical pedigree. It is undoubtedly one of Dorset's finest, undiscovered and untouched treasures, but at the same time is very much a family home. The house is approached over a dramatic entrance drive through a 14th Century Gate House, which serves as an entrance to the courtyard, and is one of the earliest complete surviving parts of the house. The reception hall, believed to be medieval, was extensively remodelled in the 18th century with the addition of an oriel and an arda stone stair. The interiors also boast a mix of 17th and 18th Century panelling, elaborate chimney pieces and original fireplaces. Notably, the sitting room features a mid 18th Century chimneypiece with 'Adam and Eve' figures and the east wing Contains an early 18th Century marble chimneypiece.

Gardens and Grounds
The gardens are largely attributed, in their present form, to Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe, who laid them out after the Second World War for Lord Southborough. They are mostly laid out to the north and west of the house, with further areas of informal pleasure grounds in the valley of the Devil's Brook to the east. The formal gardens are laid out in a series of terraces, the lowest terrace comprising the kitchen garden, bordered by neat gravelled paths, and with 2 greenhouses and a potting shed.
The middle lawn, also accessed by a stone flagged terrace by the west front, is the Bowling Green, a level rectangular lawn bordered to the north by a huge mature yew hedge and a mid 18th century Grade II listed brick wall which also encloses the south and west side of the kitchen garden. The upper terrace is divided into discreet garden areas with a summer house, tennis court and Grade II listed,17th century dovecote. To the north of the house is a charming knot garden and a romantic summer house within a high stone wall. A broad grass walk beyond the west garden wall leads to a mid 18th century Grade II listed stone bridge which crosses the Devil's Brook. Set away is a fine thatched stable block with 2 loose boxes and a garage block for 8 vehicles.

Parkland and Farmland
The park lies to the north and south of the manor, interspersed by mature parkland trees.

Further lots are available - please get in touch for more information.

Bingham Melcombe occupies its own hamlet, the only other bulding in the cluster of dwellings being the Church, one mile from the slightly larger village of Melcombe Bingham. The estate is surrounded by open farmland which forms an impressive backdrop on all sides.
The A354 is 6 miles to the south giving access to the A31 and A35 and Sherborne is 16 miles to the north with trains to Waterloo in 2.25 hours. Bournemouth Airport is a 45 minute drive.
For immediate needs, there is a good convenience store in Ansty (1 mile) while more comprehensive amenties can be found in Blandford, Dorchester or Sherborne.
The area offers a good selection of Prep Schools, such as Handford, Bryanston Prep, formerly Knighton House, Sandroyd and Sherborne with Public Schools, Bryanston, Canford, Milton Abbey and Sherborne boys and girls also close by.