A 3 bed detached period former school house with substantial range of garaging and outbuildings with gardens and woodland, extending in all to just under an acre in rural village location

SITUATION: The property is located within the heart of the very rural village of Toller Porcorum which lies in the West Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is close to the Kingcombe Wildlife Centre and Powerstock Common. The cottage enjoys much peace and tranquillity and views to the south over the countryside. This is a haven for fauna and flora with easy access to enjoyable walks all around.

The village has an active community with a sub-Post Office and village hall whilst the close by larger village of Maiden Newton is about 2.5 miles distant and has a further range of facilities including a primary school, pub, village store with Post Office, newsagents, doctors' surgery, garage/filling station with a Spar shop, a takeaway and a railway station.

The County Town of Dorchester lies some 10 miles to the east, the historic town of Beaminster some 9.5 miles away to the north west, whilst the vibrant market town of Bridport lies approximately 8 miles to the south west with the Jurassic Coastline just a further 2 miles on.

THE PROPERTY was built in 1774 as the local School with adjoining Master's house. It comprises a detached Grade II Listed country residence with adjoining large gardens, extensive woodland glade, part of the former railway line, a meandering river in the basin of the grounds, garage and adjoining carport with additional parking. An ancient original single-storey building recently re-roofed extends to the rear providing two large workshops affording potential for further accommodation (subject to any necessary consents) and there is an extensive range of woodsheds and stores. An ideal home and grounds for those with small pets and wanting to enjoy "the good life".

The property has been occupied by the same family for over 35 years and on-going improvements have included re-wiring (2014), re-plumbing (approx 5 years ago) including a new oil-fired boiler with new oil tank and radiators throughout together with a replacement pressurised hot water cylinder, an Esse wood-burner, woodworm treatment, large hatch to the roof space with ladder fitted, some beautiful engineered oak flooring and some like-for-like windows are presently being fitted to the dining room and sitting room south elevations. However, the kitchen and sanitary fittings require updating together with general cosmetic improvement throughout.

There is much character to be enjoyed including arched internal heads to the front wooden windows (some of which have secondary glazing fitted), some with wooden seats fitted and all with deep window sills, fireplaces, some exposed beams and a galleried landing.

It is unusual to find a property steeped in history and with such versatility and scope and with grounds extending to just under an acre.

DIRECTIONS: From the roundabout on the east side of Bridport take the A35 towards Dorchester for approximately 3 miles and take the first left-hand turning to Askerswell. Proceed to the junction with the Loders road and bear right. Proceed for approximately 2 miles straight over Eggardon Hill and take the third turning right signposted to Toller Porcorum. Follow this road into the village and No 5 will be seen on the left adjoining the old railway bridge.

THE ACCOMMODATION affords:
Main front entrance porchway with old door in a stone surround opening to:
RECEPTION HALL with balustraded staircase rising to the first floor and storage niche under.
LIVING ROOM with two south-facing windows with window seats and a window to the west. Central fireplace opening fitted with a modern wood burner. Door to:
REAR LOBBY with door to rear garden and with STUDY and UTILITY/CLOAKROOM off.
DINING ROOM with windows to the south and east. Door to outside and door to:
GALLEY-STYLE KITCHEN well fitted with older-style wall-mounted and base cupboards and drawers with worksurfaces. Window to east and semi-glazed door opening to the rear single-storey extension which presently provides LARGE WORKSHOP AREA divided into two connecting rooms with the inner workshop having an outside door to the east and French doors to the west.
FIRST FLOOR
GALLERIED LANDING with windows to the north and south providing a study/reading area and large access trap to the roof space. Doors to:
3 LARGE DOUBLE BEDROOMS all of which have built-in wardrobes and one has a wash basin, and a FAMILY BATHROOM with cast-iron panelled bath with Mira shower unit over and screen, basin and WC, upright ladder radiator, shaver point and part obscure-glazed window.

OUTSIDE
There is a side gated driveway leading to the rear of the property and a side pedestrian gate opening to a patio pathway extending along the frontage with adjoining rose and herbaceous bed and giving access to the front door. There is a further side gateway to the east side of the property giving access directly into the side gardens.

Immediately to the rear is a sitting out area and a SUMMERHOUSE/CHALET adjoining the lawns and pleasure gardens which comprise well established bushes and spring bulbs and flowers and a very private, gravelled terrace for enjoying the southerly sunshine. The gardens are on the north side of the property but enjoy a great degree of sunshine all day long.

Adjoining the driveway is a large double wooden-doored GARAGE of concrete block construction with pitched slate roof and adjoining CARPORT. There are also TRAILER STORES and a GREENHOUSE with compost area and adjoining cold frames in an allotment area.

The woodland glade extends to the north-east side and has a large amount of tall trees including beech and ash and is mainly uncultivated but provides a further range of sheds for wood storage and has the river meandering through it. The owner has informed us that, occasionally, the gardens are liable to flooding.

Adjoining this area is a gravelled pathway extending from the east side of the property with arboured entrance and providing cultivated areas. There is also a protective shed housing the modern oil tank.

The grounds have part of the old railway line running through and embankments are now part of this property. The railway bridge in the grounds is owned by The British Railways Board who are responsible for its maintenance.

SERVICES: Mains water, drainage and electricity. Wood-burner in the sitting room. Oil fired central heating. Telephone connected and maintained by Open Reach/BT. Council tax band 'F'.

AGENT'S NOTE: Work, including some re-plastering, replacement windows and decor are on-going. Photos may therefore appear differently to actual.

TC/CC/KEA230030/2124

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3 bedroom detached house for sale