Fishpond Bottom

A very attractive former farmhouse with extensive gardens and grounds occupying a secluded and peaceful setting with stunning views

The Property - Guppys Lodge is a very attractive and highly individual, detached, former farmhouse with extensive gardens and grounds, occupying a peaceful setting with stunning views over the rolling countryside to the sea beyond. The house has a very interesting history, it was originally a shelter for pilgrims bound for nearby Whitchurch Canonicorum. The oldest part of the farmhouse is believed to date back from the 16th century (a Beer stone pilgrim can still be seen carved into the original inglenook). Over the years it has been subject to enlargement and alterations, allegedly earning its keep as a blanket factory, a goat sanctuary and, more recently, as a hobby farm and smallholding.

Under the previous ownership it was saved from near dereliction and renovated and extended to include a stunning timber extension in 2000. This extension is built of larch with Pilkington thermal glass panels and designed by the leading timber building specialist Roderick James. During the current ownership, since 2014, a whole number of further improvements have been carried out including upgrading of the bathroom and shower rooms.

The many impressive features include oil-fired central heating, limestone floor tiles, bespoke Devol solid wood painted kitchen with oak worktops, oil-fired Aga and attractive quality sanitaryware.

The host of character features include exposed beams, exposed stone and beamed fireplace, window seats, vaulted beamed and panelled ceilings, cottage doors, colour-washed stone and a rolltop bath.

All the principal rooms are mainly south-facing, enjoying the wonderful views to the sea.

Briefly, the accommodation extends to:

Ground floor - Reception hall, utility, cloakroom, playroom, study, open-plan kitchen/dining room, living room with floor to ceiling windows and doors plus vaulted beamed ceiling etc.
First floor - Landing, principal bedroom with access to balcony, four further bedrooms (or three bedrooms plus study), bathroom/shower room, shower room.

Outside - The lovely extensive gardens and grounds are a further feature.

The gardens have been featured in gardening books and magazines under the previous ownership. The ponds and dry riverbed were designed and built by an RHS gold medal winning team. The south-facing deck runs the entire length of the house. There is woodland, orchard meadow and paddock.

Guppys Lodge is approached off a quiet country lane via a long driveway. At the end of the drive is a stone-built period barn providing garaging for one car and incorporating a mezzanine storage area. The barn has potential for conversion, subject to any necessary planning consents.

There is extensive parking and behind the barn is a large timber garden store.

Situation - Fishpond Bottom is a rural hamlet in the heart of the Marshwood Vale and within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Although enjoying a wonderful, peaceful country setting, it is far from isolated, being within easy reach of Charmouth and the Jurassic Coast, the historic coastal resort of Lyme Regis, the market town of Axminster (with a mainline rail service to London) and the thriving market town of Bridport. There is an excellent choice of junior and senior schools nearby.

Services - Mains water and electricity. Private sewage treatment plant. Oil-fired central heating/underfloor heating to limestone floors , Oil Aga.

Broadband - Standard up to 0.4Mbps and Ultrafast up to 220Mbps, FTTH available.
Mobile phone service providers available are EE, O2 and Vodafone for voice and data services inside and outside.
(Broadband and mobile phone information taken from Ofcom website Results are predictions and not a guarantee. Actual services available may be different from results and may be affected by network outages).

Viewings - Strictly by appointment with Stags Bridport.

Directions - From the A35 at the Hunters Lodge (just to the east of Axminster) join the Crewkerne road, signed Crewkerne. Continue on this road for some 3½ miles and turn right, signposted Fishpond. The entrance drive to Guppys Lodge is about ½ mile on the right.

Alternatively, leave the A35 at Morecombelake to Whitchurch Canonicorum. Proceed downhill into Whitchurch and go straight across at the crossroads. Follow the winding lane uphill and take the 1st turning right (signposted Abbotts Wootton). Following the winding lane uphill to a ‘T’ junction. At the ‘T’ junction turn right (signed Axminster), passing a house called Bracken (blue paintwork) on the left. Guppys Lodge is the next house on the left.