Norden, Corfe, Wareham, Dorset, BH20

Outstanding and immaculately presented country house in stunning gardens surrounded by nationally important protected landscape

Description

The original Puddledock “Cottage” is believed to date back around 200 years, but the original building (now cleverly incorporated into the main house) is unrecognisable from the superb, architect designed state of the art property that now resides on the footprint. The property was updated and extended in the last fifteen years or so, but taken to another level of excellence by the current owners who have meticulously upgraded every element to ensure the highest quality of materials throughout, together with top quality infrastructure and services as well. The property benefits from underfloor heating throughout and enjoys impeccable eco-credentials, with an air-source heat pump, roof-mounted solar panels, and two EV charging points.

A spacious hall with Purbeck stone floor sets the tone as you enter the building with access to a quirky cloakroom with curved wall. The living area reveals itself from the hall, a stunning room with an exposed stone chimney rising through the double height ceiling, supported by an exposed oak frame and with a large expanse of glass framing the view to the enchanting gardens beyond. The living area leads through to a spacious and high-spec kitchen with dining area and island unit over a stunning polished Purbeck stone floor. The room is flooded with light from the bank of windows running down the north elevation. From the kitchen a staircase leads to two mezzanine spaces, one a TV/media room, with exposed timbers and stripped wood flooring. Beyond the kitchen is a utility area in the same style with a door to outside. The principal bedroom suite with dressing room and en suite bathroom has a spacious feel created in part by the vaulted ceiling with exposed timbers. A substantial glass double door and additional picture window frame the sylvan views in this eastern part of the garden. From the main hall a corridor with stripped wood flooring gives access to two other ground floor bedrooms which share an en suite. An oak staircase leads up to an additional first floor bedroom with en suite.

Outside
It is the setting that really stands this property out from the crowd, in a landscape that has changed little for centuries, with the Corfe Castle ruins in view from part of the garden. The house is approached from a quiet lane where an inconspicuous wooden gateway gives access to a long and winding private drive which extends graciously through the beautiful landscaped gardens, culminating in a gravelled parking area outside the house. From here there is access to three garages (one integral) and a gym. Cleverly designed to be as low-maintenance as possible, the gardens are simply stunning with wide expanses of lawn, dry stone walling and flower beds around the house, as well as two wildlife ponds and large borders, packed with colourful shrubs and plants.

To the south east is a terrace to enjoy the morning sun and a deck runs most of the length of the rear of the house providing outside seating and dining space. The gardens also have large areas of mature mixed woodland, with a wealth of native and specimen trees providing both privacy and amenity. A particularly special feature is the cleverly constructed floating timber path which meanders through a large part of the woodland alongside a stream. To the west of the plot is the kitchen garden, greenhouse, gardeners toilet, storage shed and barn.

Planning
Puddledock has planning permission to erect front and side extensions to the dining area, kitchen and utility room and to create a separate study and front porch Application number: P/VOC/2025/05774


Photos taken 2024.

Location

One of the finest spots in the Isle of Purbeck, Puddledock is in a glorious, rural location whilst less than a mile to the north of the charming and historic conservation village of Corfe Castle.

While close to local amenities, the property is entirely surrounded by countryside, much of which is owned by the National Trust with SSSI status and also justifiably falls within a designated National Landscape, for being of great beauty and importance.

Just two miles away is the Jurassic Coast, also designated, in this case a UNESCO World Heritage site and the RSPB nature reserve at Arne.

There are some useful amenities available at Corfe Castle including a village store, several pubs, a baker as well as the charming tourist facilities including the National Trust castle ruins and the charming old steam railway station with a line connecting Norden with Swanage.

More extensive shopping, educational and recreational facilities are available at Swanage, known for its sandy beach or the Saxon town of Wareham through which the river Frome flows giving access to Poole harbour.

Wareham has a mainline service between Weymouth and London Waterloo and the larger towns of Poole and Bournemouth provide a further variety of extra facilities, including a cross channel ferry and an international airport respectively.

Sporting amenities in the area include golf at the Isle of Purbeck and Wareham and water sports can be enjoyed along the coastline at Poole Harbour, Weymouth Bay and Studland.

State schooling at Corfe Castle Primary, senior at The Swanage School, private schools include Sherborne School, Sherborne Girls, Leweston, Bryanston, Canford, Milton Abbey and Clayesmore. Preparatory schooling at Bryanston, Sunninghill (Dorchester), Perrott Hill, Port Regis, Sandroyd and Sherborne.

Square Footage: 2,981 sq ft


Acreage: 7.06 Acres

Directions

What3Words – removal.wobbles.trucked

From Wareham take the A351 and after about five miles, you will reach the Norden roundabout before Corfe Castle. Take the first exit and then the next left signed Slepe & Arne. The entrance to Puddledock is on the right hand side after about 1 mile.

Additional Info

Services
Mains electricity. Private water and drainage. Air source heating with LPG backup. Please note that the working condition of any of the services or kitchen appliances has not been checked by the agents but at the time of taking particulars we were informed they were all in working order.

The property benefits from underfloor heating throughout and enjoys impeccable eco-credentials, with an air-source heat pump, roof-mounted solar panels, and two EV charging points.

Planning
Puddledock has planning permission to erect front and side extensions to the dining area, kitchen and utility room and to create a separate study and front porch Application number: P/VOC/2025/05774