Wareham, Dorset, BH20

Exquisite Arts & Crafts country house in a magical setting on the banks of Poole Harbour

Description

Situation
Bestwall Park occupies an extremely secluded setting, with no neighbouring properties, on an almost entirely private peninsula bounded by the rivers Frome and Piddle and Poole Harbour, yet is only one mile from the centre of Wareham. The house has the advantage of two drives. The first takes a long wood-lined route approaching from the West. The second is considerably more spectacular and approaches from the south, taking you through the wildlife-rich meadows that form so much of Bestwall Park, before skirting the private lake, offering glimpses of the magnificent, unlisted Arts and Crafts house through the stands of willow at the lake’s edge. The house enjoys dramatic, south-facing views across the nearly 7-acre lake, island and grounds and beyond to the Purbeck Hills and the western shore of Poole Harbour. There is a rich, archaeological history on the Bestwall peninsula, with a 13-year dig (from 1991-2004) producing Neolithic and Mezolithic remains, a Bronze Age trove (now in Dorchester Museum) and significant Roman and Civil War artefacts. Dating shows the Holme oaks surrounding the main house have been there for over 10,000 years. The bird life at Bestwall is renowned, with migratory birds joining rare wading species and waterfowl and the lake was designed based on advice from Slimbridge, the Wetlands Advisory Service, on providing a secure and varied habitat. Wareham is one of Dorset’s loveliest market towns and offers an excellent range of amenities including an intercity train service, with the journey to London (Waterloo) taking just over 2 hours. It is known as the Gateway to the Isle of Purbeck and is famous for its magnificent scenery and rugged coastline, now part of the World Heritage Jurassic Coast. Wareham has a 7-acre, 18-hole golf course, cinema and sports centre and there are wonderful bathing beaches at Studland, Swanage and Sandbanks. The larger towns of Poole (9 miles) and Bournemouth (13 miles) are within easy motoring distance. There are a number of excellent private and state schools within 30 minutes’ driving time.

Bestwall Park
Bestwall Park is an exquisite country house which was built to an exacting specification in 1911 with rendered elevations under a tiled roof. For many years, it was thought to have been the work of the highly regarded architect C F A Voysey (1857- 1941), but latterly it is considered more likely to have been designed by one of his former students. The house offers well-proportioned accommodation and has many attractive features, including stone mullion windows with leaded lights, parquet flooring and original door furniture, fireplaces and woodwork. Fireplaces have been opened up to allow wood fires and fire surrounds are specimen samples of local Purbeck stone, quarried by the grandson of the first stonemason who worked on the original house.

The house was purchased by the present owners in 2001 and has been the subject of a very sympathetic and extensive programme of restoration. Of particular note is the magnificent kitchen/family room which was formerly 4 rooms. It has a lovely expanse of polished Purbeck stone flooring and no fewer than 6 full height, shuttered, French windows looking across the stone terrace and garden to the lake. The bespoke, handmade kitchen has a comprehensive range of appliances including an Aga, with an attractive mix of Purbeck marble and American white oak work surfaces.
While the heart of the home is undoubtedly the kitchen, there are also a number of beautifully proportioned, south-facing reception rooms, perfect for formal gatherings as well as private family occasions, including a sitting room, drawing room and library. Of particular note is the charming loggia which leads off the kitchen and is a perfect place for a smaller dinner party or game of cards. On the first floor, the principle bedroom occupies the western end of the house, with separate dressing room and ensuite bathroom. There are a further five double bedrooms, all of which look south with views over the lake and parkland, and two further bathrooms. On the second floor, the vendors have begun work on creating a further two bedrooms and bathrooms, along with a very large, double-height reception room with a new, cedar ceiling. New, hardwood, dormer windows, and a steel roof frame have already been installed according to planning regulations, and the roof and floor have been insulated and soundproofed. With two staircases leading up to this space, it is envisaged that it will provide further guest bedrooms and an extra-large reception room or excellent staff accommodation.

On the northern side of the house is a large gravel parking and turning area allowing access for several cars. A pedestrian gate within a stone wall opens on to the main area of garden which lies to the south of the house. This is laid to lawn and runs down to a pontoon on the wonderful lake, providing access to the island and second pontoon. Immediately to the south of the house is an attractive Purbeck stone terrace enjoying outstanding views. To the east of the house is a sunken Moroccan-style, heated, open air, saltwater, swimming pool. This has a sliding, French designed canopy for year-round use and a delightful, tiled ‘Hammam’ shower and changing room with under-floor heating. A productive kitchen garden includes a fruit cage and espaliered fruit trees, a small greenhouse and tool shed/kennels. There are superb equestrian facilities with a stable block with 5 loose boxes, a separate reinforced tack room, and field shelter. Situated on the edge of this area, on the back drive, is a substantial building of brick and rendered elevations under a tiled roof measuring approximately 60’ x 15’. This is divided into 5 sections, including an old apple store with drawers, and is used as garaging and storage.

The Land
For 40 years, Bestwall Park formed part of the land bank for a quarry site. From 2001, the current owners have, through considerable effort, restored and maintained the property, returning it to its natural beauty. The house is delightfully situated in the middle of its grounds, overlooking the lake and island. Immediately to the south of the lawned area is an unfenced hay field leading to the 7-acre lake. On the western side of the land is a large (17 acres) and attractive field of permanent pasture, part of which has been drained and levelled for use as a polo field. To the east, near the stables, are a number of post and rail paddocks and southwards, beyond the lake is further pasture running down to a protecting belt of mature trees. The land to the north of Bestwall Park is bordered by the River Piddle and comprises ancient water meadows registered as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Similarly, the land to the south (not owned by Bestwall Park) is also SSSI and bordered by the River Frome. Together, the two SSSI’s border the estate, ensuring permanent protection from development. The water meadows on offer are used for grazing from April to October under a grazing licence and have a water supply, which is separately metered. As you would expect, Bestwall Park has been included in a Higher Tier Stewardship scheme, the details of which can be provided by the agent.

Sporting
The water meadows at Bestwall Park have been used for the purposes of duck flighting when in the season, and some incredibly sporting birds have been on offer. Both the River Piddle and Frome are renowned trout rivers and healthy numbers of wild, brown trout and other species thrive in both rivers. The fishing at Bestwall Park comprises of approximately one mile of single bank fishing and while the main species is trout, salmon are often seen.

Location

Planning Permission
Under Planning application 6/2019/0262 The new drive has been permitted. Under Planning application 6/2003/0164 which formed part of the application for the swimming pool and hammam which have been completed, and the top floor which is underway, permission was also granted for a large orangery off the western end of the drawing room and a large stable block and storage area immediately opposite the back door of the house.

Directions
Post Code: BH20 4HT
What 3 Words: muted.shrub.laminated

Method of Sale and Tenure
Bestwall Park is offered for sale by private treaty, as a whole. The property is freehold and is sold with vacant possession on completion.

Grant Schemes
The property is included in a Higher Tier Stewardship scheme which is due to expire December 2028.

Timber and Sporting Rights
As far as they are owned, these rights are included in the sale. Felled timber at the time of exchange of contracts is not included in the sale and will be sold by the Vendor.

Mineral Rights
The minerals are not included in the sale and are held by the E.C.C. Quarries Limited and are not included in the sale.

VAT
The property is not currently Opted to Tax for the purposes of VAT. Should any sale or any other part of the farm or any right attached to it become a chargeable supply for the purposes of VAT, such tax will be payable by the purchasers in addition to the contract price.

Services
Bestwall Park benefits from mains water, single phase electricity, private drainage and oil fired central heating.

Local Authority
Dorset Council

Council Tax
Bestwall House - Band G

Easements, Wayleaves and Rights of Way
The property is sold subject to and with benefit of all existing rights of way whether public or private, including rights of way, supply, drainage, water, electricity supplies and other rights, covenants, restrictions and obligations and all wayleaves whether referred to or not. Public rights of way that cross the sale area are shown on the sale plan.

Conservation
Part of the property lies within the Arne Reedbeds National Nature Reserve and Dorset National Landscape. North Bestwall Wood, Withy Bed and Water meadows are included with the Higher Tier Stewardship Scheme.

Fixtures and Fittings
All fixtures and fittings, curtains, carpets, ornamental and wall lights, garden ornaments, garden furniture, stone table, rowing boats, stone troughs and plant pots are specifically excluded from the sale of the freehold property.

Health and Safety
Given the potential hazards of a working rural farm, we would ask you to be as vigilant as possible for your own personal safety when making your own inspection.

Viewing
Strictly by appointment with the agents.




Acreage: 160 Acres

Additional Info

Private Mooring

Bestwall Park benefits from a private mooring on the River Frome which is available by separate negotiation. This mooring allows for direct access into Poole Harbour and the current owners have kept a 6.5m rib. As well as this established mooring (the only one on the east side of the Frome), there are a number of possible mooring sites on the River Piddle which are marked on the plan.