Gussage All Saints, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21

A picturesque Grade II Listed mill house set in about 52 acres, with three cottages, guest accommodation, an award winning library and fishing on the River Allen.

Description

Stanbridge Mill is an attractive brick building under a clay tile roof, set on the River Allen, one of England’s finest chalk streams, with 1,066 yards of doublebank fishing for wild brown trout.

The house is entered via a large flagstone hall with oak panelling. To the right is a panelled coat room and cloakroom. To the left is the oakpanelled snug with an open fireplace. A concealed door leads to a viewing platform overlooking the turning mill wheel and there is an additional viewing window hidden within the panelling.

From the hall, a small flight of stairs leads to the dining room, which has a wooden floor, partly vaulted ceiling and windows to the west and north with views up a tributary of the River Allen.

The large rear kitchen is open plan with ample storage, an island, a fourdoor gas AGA and a door to the terrace. A china room leads to the breakfast room, which has windows on three sides and views up the tributary. This floor also includes a laundry room, rear lobby and boiler room.

On the first floor is a spectacular 42’ drawing room with vaulted ceiling, exposed beams, wooden floors, shutters and farreaching views north and south across the gardens, woodland and river. There is an open fireplace, a small balcony overlooking the front gardens and a door with steps down to the garden.

The landing has a bar area with two fridges, a freezer and a store cupboard concealed behind panelling. The principal bedroom has views over the southern gardens and an en suite bathroom with wood panelling, marble surrounds and walkin marble shower. A guest bedroom with an open fireplace, builtin cupboard and en suite shower room is also on this floor. Upstairs are bedroom three, a landing and a bathroom.

Ancillary Accommodation
To the southeast are three cottages set around a private courtyard, overlooking lawns and the River Allen, with a fenced children’s play area. Opposite is a single storey building (formerly stables) now housing an award winning library, study and reading room with adjoining kitchen, a guest bedroom with en suite shower room, and useful stores including a garden store, wine store, pool plant room and staff WC.

The cottages comprise:
• Guest Cottage – four guest suites and a kitchenette.
• Keepers Cottage – kitchen, living room, dining room, two bedrooms, bathroom and private front garden.
• Courtyard Cottage – entrance lobby, kitchen/breakfast room, sitting room, dining room, three bedrooms and a bathroom.
Swimming Pool & Pool House

To the east is a walled garden with pleached lime trees and espaliered apples. A pergola planted with white roses and lavender leads to the outdoor pool and pool house. The pool has an electric cover and is surrounded by terrace and lawn. The 1993 pool house contains a kitchen, changing area, shower room, marble sauna and circular seating beneath a domed ceiling.

A path from the pool leads to the kitchen garden, which produces fruit, vegetables and cut flowers. There is a potting shed, heated greenhouse and a 44ft garage/workshop.

Gardens and Grounds
The property is approached through electric gates along a long treelined drive through parkland. The first left leads to a parking area, with further parking beside the house.

The gardens, designed by Arabella Lennox Boyd, surround the mill and include wisteria on the front elevation, mature herbaceous borders, magnolia and cherry trees. A weeping willow sweeps down to the River Allen along the western end of the house.

To the north and northwest are water meadows, woodland rich in flora and fauna, a wisteria avenue and extensive parkland. A thatched summerhouse in the woodland offers shelter for fishermen or a peaceful spot for picnics and birdwatching.

Location

Stanbridge Mill is located approximately eight miles to the north of the pretty market town of Wimborne Minster which has an excellent variety of shopping, educational and recreational facilities including the Tivoli Theatre. Just three miles away is the prestigious Remedy Oak private golf course, a regional qualifying course for the 2013 Open Championship. Independent schools in the area include Canford, Castle Court, Dumpton, Bryanston, Clayesmore, Sherborne, Sandroyd, Milton Abbey, St Marys Shaftesbury and Port Regis.

The Mill is superbly positioned amongst unspoilt countryside yet connected with good road links to the A31, A303, M27 and the M3.

Stanbridge Mill and the surrounding area are well known for pheasant and partridge shooting and lie in the heart of The Portman Hunt country. Poole Harbour (27 miles) has sailing, water sports and moorings. In addition the south coast offers sea and freshwater fishing. Salisbury with its cultural heritage lies 19 miles away. The M27 is just over 20 miles from Stanbridge Mill via the A31, providing good access to the M3 and subsequently to London and the M25 ring road.

The best train services to London are from Bournemouth (12 miles) to London Waterloo from 110 minutes and Salisbury (19 miles) to London Waterloo from 88 minutes. The nearest airport is Bournemouth International, which is also suitable for private jets, approximately 13 miles distant. Southampton International Airport with an increasing variety of airlines and destinations is about 35 miles from the Mill. Stanbridge Mill is approximately 45 minutes from central London by helicopter.

Square Footage: 5,790 sq ft


Acreage: 52 Acres

Directions

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