The Marsh, Breamore, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6

A rare opportunity to acquire a unique 2-bedroom single-storey cottage in need of renovation and set in approximately 0.4 acre overlooking Breamore Marsh SSSI.

Constructed in the early 1900s by the Hulse family of Breamore Estate as a commemoration to Charles Westrow Hulse, The Old Reading Room originally served the village as exactly that, before passing into private ownership and residential use. Of attractive brick and flint elevation under a clay tiled roof, the current Vendor has owned the property for more than 30 years, which now requires comprehensive modernisation and refurbishment. The property sits in a generous, linear plot of approximately 0.4 acre and faces principally south towards Breamore Marsh, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and one-time manorial green extending to 38 acres of wet meadows, ponds and streams that is home to a wealth of wild flowers, dragonflies and damselflies.

The Old Reading Room enjoys a privileged outlook to the south across Breamore Marsh, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and an important surviving manorial green on which goose and cattle grazing continues. Breamore itself is a sought after village of Breamore in the Avon Valley, just outside the New Forest National Park and to the east of the Cranborne Chase. Breamore has an active community based around a village Church, popular public house, primary school, and Hulse Hall, whilst neighbouring Woodgreen has a community shop/Post Office. The Avonside town of Fordingbridge (approx. 2 miles) has an excellent range of local shops, a building society, medical and health centres and reputable state and private schools.

Communications in the area are excellent. The local road network, including the A338 and A36, draws the regional centres of Salisbury, Bournemouth and Southampton within striking distance. There are mainline rail services from Salisbury and Southampton Parkway (90 minutes and 71 minutes respectively) to London Waterloo and international airports at Southampton and Bournemouth. A regular bus service (X3) to Fordingbridge, Ringwood, Downton and Salisbury stops nearby on Salisbury Road.

Those who enjoy outdoor pursuits will be satisfied by the glorious walking, riding and cycling opportunities offered by the surrounding countryside. There is a choice of local golf and angling clubs in the vicinity and sailing opportunities abound on the South Coast and at Spinnaker Sailing Club at Blashford Lakes, near Ringwood.

A driveway with off road parking leads to a SINGLE GARAGE with up and over door. A pathway leads through the garden to the property. Inset to the hedged front boundary, a pedestrian gate opens to a path leading to the front door. The garden surrunds the property on two elevations and is laid to lawn with a variety of mature shrubs and trees with a stream running to the rear.

New Forest District Council Band E.

Mains water and electricity. Oil fired central heating (boiler currently not working). Private drainage.

Leave Fordingbridge travelling in a Northerly direction on the A338 until entering the village of Breamore. Turn left into the small slip road oposite The Bat & Ball public house and follow the road in the direction of The Marsh. The Old Reading Room will be located after a short distance on the right hand side.