Bettiscombe, Bridport, Dorset, DT6

Marshwood Manor is an attractive country house in the heart of the Marshwood Vale, set at the end of a long private drive and surrounded by farmland, woodland and open views. The property dates from the nineteenth century with later additions and has been improved to create a well presented family home with extensive ancillary accommodation. It offers a successful wedding venue and holiday cottage business, with strong income potential and excellent flexibility for private use or further development.

The house has appealing brick elevations and proportions typical of its period, with high ceilings and elegant reception rooms. A central entrance hall with fireplace leads to the principal rooms, all finished to a high standard. The kitchen and breakfast room look across the gardens and fields and include an AGA, parquet flooring and space for family dining. The adjoining dining room also has views over the countryside and opens to the garden. The double aspect drawing room is an impressive space with French doors leading to a stone terrace.

To the rear of the house is a secondary kitchen suited to preparation and entertaining, together with a utility room, boot room and access to extensive cellars.

A further reception room with French doors to the walled garden offers scope for enhancement and is complemented by a study or library, ideal for those who work from home.

The first floor includes eight generous bedrooms, five with en suite bath or shower rooms, and two additional bathrooms. The attic offers extensive unconverted space that may provide further accommodation, subject to the necessary consents.

The house is framed by established gardens with large lawns, mature planting and several terraces for outdoor dining. The walled garden and orchard create a sheltered setting, and beyond the gardens are the paddocks leading to woodland with pathways through it.

A central courtyard forms the heart of the ancillary accommodation. Five holiday cottages, created from former farm buildings, have been refurbished and interior designed to a high standard. They range from two to four bedrooms and each provides well proportioned accommodation with private outdoor space. The cottages have achieved strong occupancy and repeat business and contribute significantly to the estate’s income.

A further outbuilding on one side of the courtyard contains a bar and games room, while the adjacent party barn has glass doors opening to a covered terrace with views over the paddocks and woodland. These facilities support the wedding and events business and are presented to a high standard.

Behind the party barn are two large agricultural barns providing extensive storage. The land extends around the property and includes productive paddocks, woodland and open areas that enhance the sense of privacy and space.

Marshwood Manor represents a rare opportunity to acquire a well established rural estate with an attractive period house, high quality holiday cottages, excellent outbuildings and a proven events business in a peaceful and scenic West Dorset setting.

Marshwood Manor is set in the centre of the Marshwood Vale, one of West Dorset’s most unspoilt landscapes. The property enjoys a quiet position at the end of a long private drive with far reaching views over rolling fields, wooded hillsides and traditional farmland. The village of Marshwood is close by and offers everyday amenities including a primary school, shop and church.

Bridport lies about seven miles away and provides a wider selection of shops, supermarkets, restaurants and cultural facilities. The world famous Jurassic Coast is about five miles from the property and offers dramatic scenery, beaches and access to the South West Coast Path. The nearby seaside town of Lyme Regis is a popular destination with its beaches, harbour, independent shops and opportunities for sailing, sea fishing and water sports.

The surrounding countryside provides excellent walking, riding and cycling, with a network of footpaths and bridleways across the Vale. The area is also well known for good pubs, farm shops and local food producers.

Schooling in the wider region is strong, with highly regarded independent options including the Sherborne schools, Leweston, Canford, Millfield and King’s Bruton. To the west, Blundell’s, Exeter School, the Taunton schools and Perrott Hill offer further choice.

Transport links are accessible. The A303 lies about fourteen miles to the north and provides a direct route east towards London and west towards the South West. The M5 can be reached via Taunton or Exeter. Rail services to London Waterloo run from Axminster, with journey times from approximately two hours forty minutes. Exeter St David’s and Taunton provide services to London Paddington. Exeter Airport offers domestic and international flights.

The location combines rural tranquillity, strong local amenities and access to the coast, making Marshwood Manor well placed for both full time living and as a private estate with an established income stream.