Fox Cottage,

“A remarkable prospect in the Dorset National Landscape”

Fox Cottage presents itself as a wonderful opportunity for contemporary living in the Dorset countryside. There are plans in place to transform the existing house, which sits surrounded by private gardens, into a decidedly modern space rooted in its restorative surrounding landscape. It will have three separate but interconnected volumes, all with a sustained visual connection to the outdoors. Some of Dorset's best-loved towns are close by, including Lyme Regis and Bridport, while the fossil-strewn expanse of the Jurassic Coast is a short drive away.

Planning permission is in place to complete the design; details can be seen here.

The Tour

The house will take a lateral, mid-century-inspired form. Its long, low-lying silhouette and green roof will allow it to truly embed into its green plot. Proposed building materials have been chosen to reference the local vernacular, with flint stone walls used alongside timber cladding to maintain a naturalistic feel.

There will be an area to park cars at the front of the house. Entry will be through a sheltered porch to a generous entrance hallway lit by skylights. From here will be a utility, a WC, and an atmospheric study tucked behind sliding doors.

On the right, the kitchen and dining room will unfold. Occupying the majority of the central ‘volume’, it will have a spacious modern kitchen, with a large island that will keep the sections of the space open to one another. There will be a substantial pantry for storing dried goods. Opposite will be space for a large dining table in front of sliding doors to a terrace - a spectacular setting for seasonal feasts.

A glazed link will connect to the living room, contained within a separate volume. Double-aspect glazing will anchor the space in its surroundings. On one wall, exposed stonework will lend texture, balancing the smoothness of the floors here.

The third volume, in the east of the plot, will also be accessed via a glazed link. Four bedrooms will unfold here; two, including the primary suite, will have en suites, while all will have sliding doors to the garden. Each will be picked out in a serene colour pallette.

Outdoor Space

A landscaping scheme, to be developed further during the process, will see a positive impact on the site’s biodiversity. The grounds will be designed to sit in harmony with the design of the building itself, and will be visible from each aspect.

The Area

Fox Cottage lies in a remarkably tranquil location. Within the Dorset National Landscape, it is in reach of near endless walks, hikes and cycling routes. Nearby is the Jurassic Coast, a hugely diverse and beautiful landscape underpinned by an incredible geology of global significance. In 2001, it was designated as a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site for the outstanding value of its rocks, fossils and landforms. It remains England’s only natural World Heritage Site. The Jurassic Coast begins at Orcombe Point in Exmouth, Devon, and continues for 95 miles to Old Harry Rocks, near Swanage, Dorset.

Lyme Regis is around 15 minutes’ drive away. It has a great selection of independent shops, includingLyme Book Shop, a stellar fishmonger near the harbour, Papa Luca Vintage and Ryder and Hope. There is also a museum and a theatre for music, theatre, comedy and National Theatre Live screenings; it is also host to the Lyme Regis Film Society. Tom’s Lyme Regis is a restaurant on the seafront specialising in local produce and is great for a morning coffee with a sea view.

Bridport, a beautiful market town, is around 20 minutes’ drive away. It has plenty of locally stocked grocers, cafés (includingSoulshine), pubs and a post office, the town is thriving with independent antique sellers and specialist bookshops, as well as an impressive family-runart deco cinema. Many of these amenities are located on South Street, which is transformed twice weekly for the historic Bridport market. The Bridport Art Centre is on the doorstep, presenting a year-round programme of visual arts, theatre, dance, comedy, music, spoken word and films and screenings.

Axminster station is around 13 minutes drive away; it runs a direct service to London Waterloo in just over two and a half hours. There are also stellar road connections along the south coast.

Council Tax Band: D