Sutton Poyntz, Weymouth, Dorset

There is something wonderfully intriguing about Blue Shutters. Dating from the 17th century, this characterful Grade II Listed thatched cottage has evolved over the centuries into a home that feels both wonderfully individual and remarkably easy to live in. Behind its blue shutters lies an unexpected sense of space, with four double bedrooms, two inviting reception rooms and no fewer than three staircases winding their way through the house. Exposed stone, old timbers and curious architectural details reveal themselves as you explore, while thoughtful additions have introduced light and practicality without losing sight of the cottage’s origins. Its careful restoration was previously recognised with a commendation from Weymouth Civic Society.

Step through the front door and the SITTING ROOM immediately sets the tone. Generously proportioned yet wonderfully cosy, its centrepiece is an impressive stone inglenook fireplace with wood-burning stove and original bread oven tucked alongside. Fitted carpet and ceiling beams add to the room's warmth and character, while one of the cottage's staircases rises from here to a wonderfully private fourth bedroom above.

The accommodation flows onwards into the SNUG before an archway leads through to the DINING ROOM, a relaxed and sociable space with plenty of room to gather around a large table. Windows bring in views towards the garden and a stable door opens directly outside, while the open connection with the adjoining KITCHEN makes these two rooms feel very much like the heart of the home.

Painted cabinetry sits comfortably alongside exposed stone in the KITCHEN, where a Belfast-style sink beneath the window and substantial RANGEMASTER™ cooker reinforce the cottage character. Warm work surfaces and stone-effect flooring complete the look, while the open arrangement allows conversation to continue easily between kitchen and dining table.

Returning through the archway, the SNUG offers somewhere altogether cosier to retreat. Its substantial stone fireplace houses a second wood-burning stove, creating an inviting room for quieter evenings. A contemporary BATHROOM, with bath and shower over, completes the ground-floor accommodation.

The cottage's wonderfully individual layout continues upstairs. The main staircase rises to the PRINCIPAL BEDROOM and two further double bedrooms, with built-in storage and glimpses of exposed stone and timber continuing the character found below. A separate SHOWER ROOM serves this floor.

Meanwhile, reached independently from the SITTING ROOM, BEDROOM 4 occupies its own private upper level. Generous in size and removed from the remaining bedrooms, it makes a particularly appealing guest room or retreat for older children.

Outside
The gardens surrounding Blue Shutters feel every bit as enchanting as the cottage itself. Predominantly enclosed by old stone walls, they unfold across different levels, with winding paved pathways, pockets of lawn and established planting creating a wonderfully private setting. Mature shrubs and flowering plants mingle with APPLE and FIG trees, while palms and other architectural planting lend an unexpectedly exotic touch amongst the traditional Dorset stone.

Several tucked-away areas invite you to follow the sun throughout the day, including a sheltered terrace with a hot tub. The substantial glazed SUMMER HOUSE provides another lovely place to retreat, bringing the garden in beneath its glass roof and exposed stone wall.

A separate timber OFFICE offers valuable space for working from home, hobbies or creative pursuits, while a collection of useful stone and timber outbuildings provides further storage and practical garden space. Together, these characterful additions make the garden feel almost like a series of little rooms of its own. Somewhere to entertain, potter, work or simply disappear with a book for an hour.

Location
Sutton Poyntz is one of Dorset's most picturesque villages, and Silver Street must surely be one of its prettiest corners. From the village duck pond, where weeping willows frame the water, a stream that once turned the old mill wheel winds alongside a peaceful pathway towards Blue Shutters. With little more than the sound of running water and birdsong, the approach has an almost timeless quality.

The village sits within a Conservation Area, surrounded by beautiful countryside with walks unfolding almost from the doorstep. Local amenities can be found nearby in Preston, while Weymouth offers a wider choice of shops, restaurants, schools and leisure facilities, together with a mainline railway station providing direct services to London Waterloo. The county town of Dorchester is also within convenient reach, offering further amenities and rail connections.

For all that convenience, it is the immediate setting that makes Blue Shutters so memorable: tucked amongst the old stone houses and thatched cottages of historic Sutton Poyntz, in a place that feels delightfully removed from the everyday.

Directions
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