White Pit Lane, East Melbury, Shaftesbury, SP7

THE PROPERTY
Situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the centre of its grounds overlooking the National Trust's Spreadeagle Hill, Winterfield is a fabulously stylish and substantial family home. Built in 1921 by the acclaimed architect, Edward Turner Powell, this is a classic example of the Arts and Crafts movement, constructed using the finest locally quarried sandstone for the walls, Delabole slate for the roofs and chestnut guttering.

The property has been sympathetically refurbished with upgraded wiring and plumbing and underfloor heating to the majroity of the ground floor rooms. Of particular note is the drawing room with an impressive stone fireplace and wooden over matel, the entrance hall with full length stained glass and the galleried landing. Other works have included the erection of the garage building, with ancillary accommodation over, in 2007/8 and the building of the swimming pool in 2010 with external stonewortk matching the original and with folding doors and terraces to both the East and West taking full advantage of the outstanding outlook. The building has an oak frame and American hardwood decking. In the same year, the gym was built with hardwood floors and underfloor heating. This could be put to a variety of alternative uses subject to the usual planning consents.

Included in the sale is Burnbeck Cottage, built in the early 1980s with brick elevations under a tiled roof and screened from the main drive by beech hedging.

OUTSIDE
Winterfield is approached off White Pit Lane through electric gates onto a gravel drive leading to a circular car parking and turning area, adjoining which is an area of hardstanding with triple garage and ancillary accommodation above. A spur leads off the drive to the gym, a modern barn and the floodlit tennis court.

GARDENS
These are a particular feature and comprise a mixture of formal and informal gardens. At the front of the house there is a large expanse of lawn with an area of wild garden, flanked by box hedging and trees. The curren towners have opened up the vistas with a belt of mature specimen trees offering protection from the East.

To the west and rear of the property there is a delightful partly walled garden with a variety of stone outbuildings, a lawned area flanked by colourful flower and shrub boarders and a terrace from which there are magnificent views over the lakes.

THE LAND
Winterfield sits in the centre of its land. To the north there is a flat paddock of approximately 8 acres with a field gate onto the lane, while to the south there are rolling paddocks with spring fed ponds flanked by a protective shelter belt of mature trees.

There is a footpath on the northern boundary of the property.

In all approximately 35 acres.

AT A GLANCE
Ground floor:
reception hall
drawing room with doors onto the loggia
dining room
study
open plan kitchen / breakfast room
family room opening to the garden
cloakroom and WC
domestic offices
wine cellar

First floor:
galleried landing
master bedroom with a large ensuite bathroom / dressing room
four further bedroom suites, each with dressing area and bathrooms

Second floor:
two further bedrooms with their own bathrooms
sitting room / library

Outside: formal gardens, produce area and paddocks totalling circa thirty four acres.

SERVICES
Private supply and mains water, private treatment plant, mains electricity, oil fired central heating
Tenure: Freehold
Winterfield EPC Band E
Burnbeck Cottage EPC Band D
Winterfield: North Dorset District Council Band H

Agents Note: photographs were taken in 2021

Viewing strictly by appointment

Location:
SITUATION
Situated to the south of Melbury Abbas, Winterfield is on the western fringe of the Cranborne Chase, Shaftesbury, a Saxon hilltop town which dates back to the times of Alfred the Great, has a good range of facilities including cafes, restaurants, niche retailers, a boutique hotel, banks, supermarkets, small hospital, library, health centre and an arts centre. More comprehensive facilities can be found in Salisbury to the East, the Georgian spa town of Bath to the north and Sherborne to the east. Mainline railway stations are at both Gillingham and Tisbury (London-Waterloo) and the A303 lies some 7 miles to the north, giving access to the south west and London via the M3. There are international airports at Bournemouth, Bristol and Southampton (about 27, 44 and 48 miles respectively).

SCHOOLING
Schooling in the area is excellent in both the state and private sectors with Clayesmore, Hanford and Sherborne Prep nearby and for older students, Bryanston, Clayesmore, Sherborne (for both boys and for girls) plus King's Bruton.

RECREATION
There is magnificent walking, riding and cycling over the Cranborne Chase and the Blackmore Vale. There is racing at Wincanton, Salisbury and Bath. Golf at Rushmore, Sherborne and Ashley Wood (Blandford). Theatres can be found at Salisbury, Poole, Bournemouth and Bath and watersports on the south coast.

Directions:
SP7 0DS

Approaching from the A303 take the A350 south to Shaftesbury. Reaching Shaftesbury head east on the A30 for a short distance and then turn right on to the B3081 south signed Cann Common and Melbury Abbas. Turn left onto the B3081 and then, after about 1/2 mile, right down White Pit Lane; continue down the lane and Winterfield will be seen on the right hand side.