Mill Orchard, Fovant, SP3

High Birds is a house with so much to offer, not least its extraordinary setting. With almost 3,000 sq ft of living space, large, light-filled rooms, a wonderfully individual layout and views across its own lakes and grounds, this is a home with all the ingredients to become something very special. Add a large principal bedroom suite, a separate one-bedroom annexe, approximately eight acres of beautiful grounds and a location right in the heart of Fovant village, and the possibilities are really exciting.

The house has been designed and extended over the years to make the most of its surroundings. Large windows frame the views across the lakes, while an impressive double-height galleried reception room, a double-sided log burner and a conservatory with an indoor koi pond give the house a personality all of its own. The bedrooms are equally adaptable, with rooms currently used as a home cinema, study and occasional guest accommodation.

The interiors would now benefit from updating, but the space, layout and outlook provide an excellent starting point for someone who wants to create a home in an incredible setting. Approximately eight acres of gardens, lakes, ponds and wildlife-rich grounds, with the Fovant Brook running through the property, offer a degree of privacy and natural beauty that is remarkable for a house within walking distance of a village shop, pub and doctor's surgery!

Inside the House

The accommodation is arranged over two floors, with a layout that offers plenty of flexibility for family life, entertaining or working from home.

At one end of the house is an impressive double-height galleried reception room, where full-height glazing draws your eye straight out towards the lakes and gardens. A spiral staircase leads up to the galleried landing above, and a double-sided log burner separates this room from the adjoining sitting room.

The adjoining conservatory, complete with an indoor koi pond, provides another place to sit and enjoy the surroundings, with views across the gardens and lakes.

The kitchen has plenty of workspace and storage, with a breakfast bar and a serving hatch connecting it to the dining room. There is also a separate utility room and two ground floor cloakrooms, one accessed from the main entrance hall and another adjoining the utility room.

Upstairs, the large principal bedroom suite has wonderful views across the grounds and has fitted wardrobes, a separate dressing room and an en suite bathroom.

The remaining bedrooms offer plenty of flexibility. One of the double bedrooms is currently fitted out as a home cinema, another is used as an occasional guest bedroom, and the single bedroom serves as a study. These rooms could easily be returned to more traditional bedroom use, depending on the needs of the next owners. There is also a refitted shower room and separate WC.

The house has an interesting layout, good-sized rooms and some lovely architectural features. There is considerable scope to update and rework the accommodation to create a contemporary country home that makes the most of the exceptional setting.

The Annexe and Outbuildings

A particularly useful addition is the self-contained one-bedroom annexe above the double garage, currently used as staff accommodation. With its own living space, kitchen, bedroom and balcony overlooking the grounds, it offers excellent flexibility for visiting family and friends, accommodation for a live-in member of staff or Airbnb potential.

There is also a workshop, carport, stores, separate utility space and log storage, together with plenty of driveway parking.

The main house has LPG central heating and 16 solar panels, while the annexe has electric heating.

The Lakes and Grounds

The grounds are what make High Birds so unusual. Extending to approximately eight acres, they have been carefully landscaped and managed by the current owners over more than 40 years, creating a wonderful combination of open water, mature gardens, woodland, orchard areas and natural wildlife habitats.

The main lake extends to approximately 3.5 acres and includes a small island, while several additional ponds cover around half an acre. The Fovant Brook, a tributary of the River Nadder, runs through the property for approximately 800 metres.

Originally part of former watercress beds, the lakes were created by the current owners and were previously used for trout fishing. They now support a variety of coarse fish, including carp weighing up to 30lbs, pike up to 20lbs, tench, perch, roach and rudd. The main lake reaches depths of approximately 12–13 feet and is deep enough for boating.

The water, trees and natural planting have created a haven for wildlife. Kingfishers, herons, little egrets, barn owls and numerous other birds can be seen around the grounds, alongside roe deer, otters, water voles and even beavers. In spring and summer, the gardens come alive with wildflowers, butterflies and birdsong, while autumn brings wonderful colour to the mature trees reflected in the lakes.

There are numerous places to enjoy the surroundings, from gravelled seating areas and waterside spots to the orchard and its stone circle. The south-facing aspect brings sunshine throughout the day, while mature trees provide welcome shade in warmer weather.

Despite the size of the grounds, the property feels wonderfully connected to the landscape, with views across the water from many of the principal rooms. It is a setting that changes constantly with the seasons, offering something different throughout the year.

High Birds also sits within the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs National Landscape, a designated International Dark Sky Reserve, where the absence of significant light pollution makes for spectacular night skies.

Location – Fovant and the Nadder Valley

One of the most remarkable things about High Birds is its location. Despite the privacy and peaceful surroundings, the property sits right in the heart of Fovant, a friendly and active village in the beautiful Nadder Valley.

Fovant has a village shop and post office, doctor's surgery, pub, church, village hall and recreation ground, all within easy reach. There is a strong sense of community, with plenty of local activities and events throughout the year.

The surrounding countryside offers wonderful walking and cycling, with footpaths and bridleways providing access to the beautiful Wiltshire landscape. The nearby villages of Tisbury, Hindon and Broad Chalke offer further amenities, pubs and independent shops.

Tisbury railway station provides direct services to London Waterloo and Exeter, while Salisbury is within easy driving distance for a wider choice of shopping, restaurants, schools and cultural attractions. Full fibre broadband is also available in the village through Wessex Internet.

A Home with Exciting Possibilities

High Birds offers a rare combination of space, privacy, flexibility and a truly remarkable setting. The house would undoubtedly benefit from modernisation, but its large rooms, interesting architecture and wonderful outlook provide an excellent starting point.

For someone looking to create their own country home, with fishing, boating, wildlife and beautiful grounds quite literally on the doorstep, all within the heart of a thriving village, this is a very special opportunity.