West Stafford, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2

Splendid late Victorian country house with an excellent range of outbuildings, attractive mature gardens and paddocks.



Description

Talbothays Lodge is a most handsome detached, listed Grade II country house with brick elevations under a slate roof. With spacious accommodation arranged over three floors, the house is set back from the lane in mature, level landscaped gardens extending to just over five acres. The house is thought to have been constructed in 1893 with additions in the 1900’s then latterly a splendid conservatory being added in 2008. A substantial front door with decorative tiles above leads to a vestibule and cloakroom, beyond which is the reception hall with stripped wood floor. An archway draws the eye through to the sitting room and garden beyond. From the hall an elegant staircase leads to the first floor. From the hall is access to the dining room with bay window and fireplace with marble surround and a light filled sitting room also with bay window, door to outside and a fireplace with wood burning stove. An inner hallway leads to an office (the old kitchen) and the china room. Next is the well fitted kitchen with stone floor and AGA cooker, opening into a fabulous conservatory filling the kitchen with light and offering lovely views of the garden. A passageway beyond offers access to a utility room, larder, boot room and outside. On the first floor is a good size landing, principal bedroom with double aspect and bay window and a second double bedroom with bay window. There are three further bedrooms on this floor, a bathroom, shower room and separate wc.

Outside
The house is set well back from the lane and accessed through brick pillars and a white painted gate, which matches the gate at Max Gate, from where a gravel drive sweeps round to the front of the house providing ample parking and continuing to a garage and the outbuildings. At the front of the house are level areas of lawn and a mature hedge runs along the boundary with the lane. Several mature trees provide colour and privacy. To the east of the house are the outbuildings which are formed around a courtyard now doubling up as a sheltered stone terrace and provide storage spaces, potting shed and greenhouse together with the original coach house and stable complete with the old stalls and cobbled floor. Part of the building has been used as an annexe, with accommodation over two storeys, but would now require refurbishment.

On the eastern flank is the kitchen garden and fruit cages. A large level lawn spans the rear of the house interspersed with shrubs and herbaceous borders. A mature hedge divides the garden from the land. Immediately outside the sitting room and conservatory is an attractive Par Terre with gravel paths and seating area facing south. The land which extends to just over five acres wraps around the garden from north east to south, in two blocks, divided into five separate enclosures. There is independent access to the land from the lane via a five bar gate. At the bottom of the garden is the railway line.

Historical Note
Talbothays Lodge is one of only two known surviving houses designed by Thomas Hardy, a trained architect, the other being his own home Max Gate now in the ownership of the National Trust. It was built around 1890 by his brother, Henry, a builder and owner of Broadmayne Brickworks, as a home for himself and their two sisters, Mary and Kate. Talbothays Lodge retains features shared by the two properties. Kate Hardy’s diary records life at the Lodge, including the commissioning of the sun dial, the building of the summer houses and Thomas’s regular Sunday visits. His affection for the house may be why it is one of the few local place names not changed in his novels. Talbothays Dairy is central to the plot of Tess of the D’Urbervilles, giving a fictional place a physical reality.

Location

The property is situated just under ½ mile from the attractive village of West Stafford which comprises a collection of mainly period properties, together with a popular public house and historic church.

The county town of Dorchester, about 3.8 miles to the west, has an excellent range of shops, schools and restaurants enhanced by the recent development at Brewery Square, a mixed use development of shops, cinema, restaurants and apartments and the King’s Poundbury Development.

There is also the county hospital, a mainline railway station to London Waterloo and services to Bath and Bristol as well.

There are excellent schools in Dorchester and the surrounding area including Sunninghill Nursery and Prep School, Thomas Hardye and St Osmunds, the Sherborne schools, Leweston, Bryanston, Milton Abbey and Canford, all within easy driving distance.

Other towns within reach include the coastal resort of Weymouth, the Georgian market towns of Bridport and Blandford Forum, Sherborne with its fine Abbey and the larger conurbations of Bournemouth and Poole.

There are good sporting and recreational facilities with golf at Dorchester (Came Down), Yeovil and Sherborne.

Weymouth has a marina and is nationally renowned for its sailing facilities, together with its lovely sandy beach and safe swimming and the charming old harbour.

Square Footage: 3,961 sq ft


Acreage: 5.25 Acres

Directions

From Dorchester, follow the signs to the A352 (Wareham). At the roundabout on the edge of town, take the left turn to West Stafford and Crossways. Take the next left to the village. Proceed through the village, passing the Wise Man public House. After a third of a mile Talbothays Lodge will be located on the right hand side.

Additional Info

Council Tax Band G

Mains water and electricity and drainage. Oil fired central heating. Please note that the working condition of any of the services or kitchen appliances have not been checked by the agents but at the time of taking particulars we were informed they were all in working order.