South Gorley, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6

Formerly the studio of the artist Haywood Sumner, an interesting 3-bedroom single storey dwelling nestled in a sylvan setting on the hillside at Cuckoo Hill with direct forest access.

A rare opportunity to acquire an interesting single storey property nestled amongst the trees at Cuckoo Hill that began life as the studio of the artist Heywood Sumner. The property was significantly extended, modified and improved by the current owners approximately 10 years ago who have created a unique family home in a wonderful setting, with direct access to the forest commonland behind. The property offers privacy and seclusion yet is not isolated and stands at the upper end of an extensive L-shaped garden plot, within which is a double car port with workshop area, a hay barn and a partially built mobile cabin. On the hillside above the property is a further area of light woodland extending to approximately 0.39 acre.

Heywood Sumner
George Heywood Maunoir Sumner (1853 – 1940), known as Heywood Sumner, was a renowned painter, illustrator and craftsman and an important figure in the Arts and Crafts movement.

After bringing his family to Cuckoo Hill, near South Gorley, he spent the rest of his life researching and recording the archaeology, geology and folklore of the New Forest.

Heywood Sumner designed and built his ideal family house at Cuckoo Hill and lived there from 1904. Six years later he published The Book of Gorley, a journal of his new rural way of life. The book included anecdotes and illustrations of local characters and the history of the New Forest and its nearby commons. His Guide to the New Forest, published in 1923, is considered to be one of the best guides written about the woods of the New Forest.

Heywood Sumner enjoyed 36 years at his beloved Cuckoo Hill. He died there in 1940 at the age of 87. The house still exists and is now a care home.

The property is discreetly located on the hillside of Cuckoo Hill, adjoning Heywood Sumner House and enjoys direct access to the open common land of the New Forest behind. The pretty village of South Gorley lies on the western edge of the New Forest National Park between the Avonside towns of Fordingbridge and Ringwood. Both can be conveniently accessed via the near-by A338 and offer a range of independent shopping and recreational facilities. South Gorley itself is home to Hockeys Farm, which offers a well stocked local farm shop and a cafe, and there is a popular public house - The Royal Oak - at neighbouring North Gorley. Educational needs are well met by a number of primary and secondary schools within the area, as well as Forres Sandle Manor on the outskirts of Fordingbridge and Moyles Court.

For those seeking a balance between a 'work-from-home' and office-based environment, communications in the area are excellent. The local road network, including the A338, draws the regional centres of Salisbury, Bournemouth and Southampton within striking distance. There are mainline rail services from Salisbury and Southampton Parkway (90 minutes and 71 minutes respectively) to London Waterloo and international airports at Southampton and Bournemouth.

Those seeking outdoor pursuits will undoubtedly be satisfied by the wonderful location and the glorious walking, riding and cycling countryside virtually on the door step. There is a choice of local golf and angling clubs in the vicinity and sailing opportunities abound on the South Coast and at Spinnaker Sailing Club at Blashford Lakes, near Ringwood.

The property is approached via a set of wrought iron gates that open to a long gravel driveway that leads to and culminates in a generous parking and turning area and the detached, 2-bay CAR PORT with internal WORKSHOP space. Alongside is a timber HAY BARN and the driveway passes a partially built MOBILE CABIN.

From the parking area a stone and brick pathway traverses the hillside and leads up to the property. The pathway is flanked by lawn to either side with an established tree and hedge line on either boundary including numerous oaks. A gate in the rear boundary fence provides direct forest access as well as access to a separate, fenced area of woodland that extends to approximately 0.39 acre. The property and gardens are extremely private yet not secluded.

New Forest District Council. Tax Band B.

Mains water and electric. Private drainage.
Electric radiator and night storage heaters.

Leave Fordingbridge travelling in a southerly direction on the A338. After approximately 2 miles turn left onto Lawrence Lane and continue to the T - junction. Turn right and follow the road into South Gorley. Upon reaching the village green turn immediately left and left again, following the Ogdens Road. Turn right onto the track at The Coach House Day Nursery and the entrance to The Studio will be located after a short distance on the right hand side.

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(Please note this marks the entrance gates to The Studio).