Walton Elms, Marnhull, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10

Set well back in grounds of about three acres in a commanding position near the top of the hill from which it gets its name, Walton Elm House is an impressive country house with views across the beautiful Blackmore Vale to Duncliffe Wood, one of the largest ancient woodlands in North Dorset, and Cranborne Chase plateau in the distance. It is thought to date from the very late Georgian/early Victorian era and is a lovely, unlisted example of a large family house of the period. Built of local stone under a slate roof with deep eaves, the interior of house is designed so that the four principal reception rooms along with most of the bedrooms face northeast and/or southeast towards the wonderful view. As was typical of houses of this period the rooms are generously proportioned with high ceilings, which along with its setting and tall windows, ensures that the interior has a lovely light and airy feel to it. Today the house is immaculately presented and has clearly been well maintained and refurbished where necessary, with care being taken to retain original architectural fittings. These include fine joinery, several fireplaces, moulded coving and a lovely, earth-toned tiled floor in the hall. In addition to its four principal reception rooms the ground floor also encompasses a cosy cinema room, large boot and utility rooms and a delightful, fully fitted kitchen/breakfast room with a walk-in larder, central island and an electric AGA inset in a range fireplace. Upstairs there is ample accommodation that provides an exceptional level of flexibility. Currently the first floor incorporates five double bedrooms (one serving as a gym and sauna) and three bathrooms, two of which are ensuite plus a self-contained business suite encompassing a large meeting room, office and shower room. In addition, the attics incorporate two further double bedrooms and separately a self-contained suite with a sitting room and ensuite double bedroom.

Walton Elm House is approached via a driveway to an extensive gravelled parking area to one side of the house. The drive leads round behind the house to a further parking area beside a garage block providing workshop space plus garaging for up to six cars. Beside it are the pool plant room and a raised deck overlooking the heated swimming pool and its adjacent, paved seating area. Beyond the seating area is an attractive, stone-built cottage that has potential as a further self-contained annexe/home office or holiday cottage.

The garden extends around three sides of the house and consists of a series of level or gently sloping lawns fringed by beautiful mature trees, shrubs, colourful borders and a pretty parterre garden of clipped box beneath an Oregon cedar.

The garden at the front of the house is bounded on one side by a length of tall wall providing privacy from the neighbouring property. In one corner are a hard tennis court in need of renovation and a mixed orchard alongside a large fruit cage. Tucked away behind a line of evergreen trees is the property's small paddock which contains a summer house and field shelter.

Walton Elm House has an elevated setting overlooking unspoilt countryside on the edge of the hamlet of Walton Elms, about a mile south of the large village of Marnhull. Marnhull was created from a collection of conjoined hamlets and is an active community with excellent amenities including three churches, village hall, two primary schools, combined GP surgery and pharmacy, garage, two pubs and several local shops (see extensive shopping, business and recreational facilities are available nearby in Sturminster Newton, Gillingham and Shaftesbury, all of which have their own distinct character. There are direct rail services from Gillingham to Waterloo (2 hours) and from Castle Cary to Paddington (90 minutes), with Bristol, Bournemouth and Exeter airports all within a reasonable driving distance. Dorset, in particular the local area around Marnhull, is renowned for its wide choice of excellent schools from both the state and independent sectors. Gillingham School for secondary education is highly regarded and there are many independent schools nearby. Those within a 10 mile radius include Port Regis, Clayesmore, Hanford, the Sherborne schools, Knighton House and Bryanston.

Directions
From the crossroads where the B3092 crosses the A30 on the southern edge of East Stour, head south onto Scotchley Hill/B3092, signed to Marnhull. Drive for about three and a half miles along the B3092 to Marnhull. On reaching the sharp left-hand bend by St. Gregory's Church, continue along the B3092/Schoolhouse Lane for a further three quarters of a mile. The driveway entrance to the property will be found on the right just before the small junction at the top of Walton Elm Hill