Cattistock, Dorchester

A substantial Grade II Listed country house occupying an elevated private setting with cottage, swimming pool, tennis court, annex and extensive outbuildings set within 29.63
acres of pasture and gardens.. EPC F (Main house) EPC E (The Byre)

The Property - Higher Holway Farm is a distinguished Grade II Listed farmhouse, believed to date
from around 1760, occupying an elevated and private position within the Dorset
countryside. Approached via a private driveway of approximately half a mile through
its own paddocks, the property enjoys a strong sense of arrival and commands farreaching
views across its surrounding land and the wider landscape beyond.
Over the years, the house has been thoughtfully extended and carefully improved,
resulting in a substantial family home that successfully combines period character
with the requirements of modern living. The principal accommodation is arranged
around a series of well-proportioned reception rooms, many of which enjoy a dual
or triple aspect and outlooks across the gardens and countryside. A significant
proportion of the ground floor benefits from stone flooring with underfloor
heating, providing both practicality and comfort.

The drawing room is particularly impressive. Added as part of a later extension, its
triple-aspect design makes the most of the property's elevated setting, allowing
natural light to fill the room throughout the day while framing the surrounding
views. The reception hall, currently arranged as a family room, provides an equally
versatile space and is of a scale that would lend itself to a variety of uses.
Forming the heart of the house is the kitchen and breakfast room, an impressive
open-plan space with a vaulted trussed ceiling and direct access to the terrace
gardens. The kitchen is centred around a traditional six-oven Aga and substantial
wooden island with maple worktop, while a granite-topped breakfast bar subtly
separates the preparation area from the informal seating space beyond. There is
ample room for dining and relaxed family living, making this a natural gathering
place within the house.

The bedroom accommodation is arranged over the upper floors and provides
considerable flexibility. The principal suite occupies a private position on the first
floor and includes a mirrored dressing area, adjoining bathroom and a further
dressing room, which could equally serve as a nursery or study. At the opposite end
of the landing is a generous guest suite with its own bathroom and dressing room.
The second floor provides three further bedrooms, two bathrooms, one of which is
en suite, together with a spacious playroom.
A self-contained two-bedroom annexe is incorporated within the house and benefits
from its own independent access, providing excellent ancillary accommodation for
guests, extended family or staff.
In addition to the principal house is The Byre, a detached three-bedroom cottage
with separate access and parking. Adjoining the cottage is a useful office building
comprising two offices, creating an ideal environment for home working or the
operation of a small business.

Outside - The gardens and grounds have been carefully developed to complement both the
house and its setting. Extensive paved terraces wrap around three sides of the
property, interspersed with herbaceous borders and providing a variety of areas
for outdoor dining and entertaining. On the southern elevation, the terrace widens
to create a particularly attractive entertaining space overlooking the gardens and
surrounding countryside.

Beyond the house, a circular lawn extends towards a ha-ha, preserving
uninterrupted views across the paddocks beyond. Adjacent to the tennis court is a
formal parterre garden designed by Veronica Mackinnon, planted with roses and
ornamental shrubs, providing an attractive contrast to the wider landscape.
A sheltered courtyard garden accommodates an outdoor swimming pool, framed
by traditional stone and timber farm buildings. The pool is surrounded by generous
paved terraces, creating a private and sheltered setting for relaxation and
entertaining, while remaining entirely in keeping with the character of the wider
property.
Complementing the residential accommodation is an extensive range of traditional
barns, workshops and stabling, providing excellent ancillary facilities and offering
considerable flexibility for equestrian, agricultural, storage or leisure uses.
The gardens are enclosed by established hedgerows and merge seamlessly with
the surrounding pastureland, creating a notable sense of privacy and cohesion
throughout the holding. The paddocks are well suited to equestrian or amenity use
and surround the house on all sides, enhancing the property's rural character and
setting.
In all, Higher Holway Farm sits in 29.63 acres, comprising formal gardens,
paddocks and grazing land, and represents a rare opportunity to acquire a
substantial country house in an elevated and private setting within the Dorset
countryside.

Situation - Higher Holway Farm occupies a rural position on the edge of a valley, set amidst
rolling West Dorset countryside. The property is located in an Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty between the villages of Evershot and Cattistock. Evershot is an
attractive village with a church, public house, the Summer Lodge Hotel/Restaurant, a
village shop and a primary school. Other villages of note in the area include Halstock,
Rampisham and Maiden Newton, which have a variety of amenities. Towns in the
locality include the county town of Dorchester, the regional centre of Yeovil, as well
as Beaminster and Bridport, all of which provide an excellent variety of shopping,
educational and recreational facilities. Independent schools include Sherborne Prep
School, Sherborne School for Girls, Sherborne School for Boys, Milton Abbey,
Bryanston, Leweston and Perrot Hill.
Sporting facilities in the area include hunting with the Cattistock Hunt and golf at
Sherborne, Yeovil or Dorchester. Water sports are available along the Dorset
coastline at Weymouth Bay, West Bay and Lyme Regis. There is horse racing at
Wincanton, Exeter and Bath and league football at Yeovil. Communications in the area
include a branch line station at Maiden Newton and mainline stations at Dorchester
and Yeovil (to London Waterloo). For routes by car to London and Devon, the A303
is located to the North of Yeovil and the A31 can be joined at Bere Regis.

Services - Private spring water supply.
Domestic small sewage treatment system.
Oil-fired central heating and air source heat pump, open fire, and underfloor
heating. EV Charging
Broadband - Ultrafast speed available via Wessex Internet
Mobile - There is mobile coverage in the area, please refer to Ofcom’s website for
more details. (
Public rights of access – Bridleway DT|S12|14 crosses the land.
All of the property is in the Dorset National Landscape (formerly AONB)
The land is classified as Grade 3 on the Agricultural Land Classification Maps

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