Marl Lane, Fordingbridge, Hampshire, SP6

Something of a hidden gem, an elegant, 4 bedroom detached period house tucked away on the edge of Fordingbridge within walking distance of town and country.

Believed to date originally back to the 19th Century, Rosebank is a most handsome, double-fronted period house. Presenting a traditional red-brick elevation with a classic frontage incorporating a portico entrance, the house has been sympathetically extended on several occasions, most recently under the terms of a 2009 planning consent which saw the addition of a two-storey side extension and erection of a replacement garage. As one might expect from such a facade, there is a great deal of character within the house, with functioning original fire places, exposed floor boards, some lovely panelled internal doors and large 16-pane sash windows. The extended, beautifully presented accommodation offers versatility, with three reception rooms and four generous double bedrooms accessed via two staircases. Externally, there is an ample front driveway, garage and private, tiered garden that rises behind the house.

The house occupies an attractive semi-rural setting at the bottom end of Marl Lane, an unmade bridle way that runs in a westerly direction from the fringes of the Avonside town of Fordingbridge towards the village of Sandleheath. The position offers the convenience of proximity to the town's amenities coupled with immediate access to local footpaths and countryside in an extremely peaceful setting. Fordingbridge has a range of services for most everyday needs, including shops, a building society, an excellent medical centre, state and private sector schooling (Forres Sandle Manor is virtually on the doorstep), and sports facilities.

Communications in the area are excellent, with access to the main regional centres of Salisbury, Bournemouth and Southampton, all of which provide mainline rail links to London Waterloo. There are international airports at Bournemouth and Southampton. The outdoor enthusiast has the choice between the open heath and woodland of the New Forest National Park to the east and the rolling Downland countryside of the Cranborne Chase AONB to the west, both of which provide ideal walking, cycling and riding country. The area also hosts a number of thriving cultural events, including The Chalke Valley History Festival, the Larmer Tree Festival and Salisbury International Arts Festival.

A five bar wooden gate from Marl Lane opens to a generous gravel parking and turning area to the front of the house. Access to the detached timber-framed GARAGE (17ft x 17ft) with light and power connected, electric roller door and personal door. Behind the garage is a further parking area with a secondary gated entrance onto Marl Lane.

The attractively landscaped GARDEN is principally located to the rear of the house, where it immediately rises behind a brick retaining wall to an established lawn with colourful, well-stocked shrub and flower beds and trees. Immediately adjoining the rear of the house is a private gravelled courtyard and there is a garden shed in the topmost corner. The garden is enclosed by a combination of fencing and hedging.

New Forest District Council. Tax Band: F.

Mains water, gas and electricity are connected. Gas fired central heating. Private drainage.

Leave Fordingbridge High Street travelling in the signposted direction of Sandleheath and Damerham. Opposite the fire station turn right into Normandy Way and first left onto the Marl Lane track. Rosebank is the first house on the right. Please use the second gated entrance onto the principal driveway.