East Knighton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2

This charming cottage is quintessential rural England, attractively thatched and surrounded by beautiful gardens and rolling countryside. Secluded and peaceful, it's the perfect option for those looking for a relaxing rural lifestyle.

Set down a private drive away from the road, this attractive Grade II listed property is a hidden gem.

Approached by a generous driveway set between a traditional red brick barn and flint outbuilding, the plot offers plenty of driveway space for off road parking.

The cottage itself is surrounded by manicured country gardens featuring neat lawns, topiary, mature shrubs and hedging, and patio spaces for relaxing and al fresco dining.

The front door is accessed via a gated side entrance and opens into a hallway with the kitchen immediately to the right. The kitchen has been recently rennovated, offering all modern conveniences whilst remaining sensitive to the character of the property. There are dove grey Shaker cupboards offering plenty of storage and space for a range of freestanding appliances. The bright and spacious room has double aspect views onto the garden and there is ample space to add a breakfast table for informal dining.

The kitchen leads directly into a good sized lounge which is full of character features including a large brick fireplace with overmantle antique wood beam and wood burning stove. There are exposed beams to the ceiling and built in storage recessed off the space. The adjacent dining room again benefits from character beams and a rustic original wooden panelled interconnecting door.

The family bathroom is also on the ground floor, fully modenised in stylish neutral tones with floor to ceiling tiling and laminatec wood flooring.

Upstairs there are three double bedrooms accessed from a central landing, two of which offer built in eaves storage.

The beautifully landscaped grounds offer full seclusion and encapsulate the idyllic countryside lifestyle that one would seek from a move to the area. The outbuildings provide flexibility depending on lifestyle - either the keeping of livestock, or offering the potential for conversion for a variety of uses.

East Knighton, combined with nearby Winfrith Newburgh cover over 4,000 acres, much of which is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village of East Knighton dates back to 1279 and is steeped in local history.

Additional shopping and amenities are available in Wareham and Dorchester. Transport links are excellent, with easy access to the A352, a direct rail service from Wool to Waterloo (2.5 hours), and proximity to Bournemouth and Southampton airports. Dorset also offers a variety of excellent schools, both state and independent.