Tarrant Keyneston, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11

Price Guide: £550,000 - £575,000 Freehold. The property is in the heart of the Tarrant Valley, 4 miles from both Wimborne town centre and Blandford Forum. Keepers Cottage dates back to the 19th century and has been occupied by the present owners since 1971.

The cottage has great potential to refurbish and restore the house. The property is not listed or in the conservation area.

Tarrant Keyneston is a popular village and Keepers Cottage sits on a slightly elevated site with some lovely views over the surrounding countryside from the first floor. The property is connected to mains electricity and water. There is no gas supply. The cottage has a private drainage system and oil fired central heating.

The property extends to just over 2,300 square feet of living space, arranged on two floors. There are three impressive reception rooms on the ground floor and six first floor bedrooms.

Traditionally built, the property has elevations of brick and flint with colourwashed render, with the original part of the building being of solid construction, all under a small, plain tiled roof with two matching chimneys.

Outside, the site extends to about 0.25 of an acre, there is a garaging, excellent parking and the gardens are a feature of the property. The cottage has the advantage of two separate vehicular driveways, one having a double garage and one having an integral single garage/workshop.

The property will appeal to purchasers seeking a period home, in a popular village, in need of updating and refurbishment.

Large veranda entrance with brick rendered pillars, high gabled roof and part quarry tiled floor. A wide half glazed door leads to a lovely reception hallway with a brick open fireplace, woodblock flooring, understairs cloaks cupboard and stairs to first floor. Spacious split level sitting room. To the lower area, there is an open fireplace with a timber surround and a large picture window overlooks the gardens. Two steps lead to the upper area which has a double aspect. Separate dining room with woodblock flooring, wall light points, feature brickette fireplace with tiled arch and raised hearth. The dining room is a double aspect room with two windows overlooking the front garden. The large galley kitchen/breakfast room has a stainless steel sink, worktops, base cupboards, drawers, fitted bookshelves, fitted oven, fridge, space for dishwasher, built-in larder, space for table and chairs. Utility with sink unit, space for white goods and ground floor cloakroom.

A straight staircase leads from the reception hall to the large ‘L’ shaped split level landing. Bedroom one is a large ‘L’ shaped bedroom with glazed double doors. En suite bathroom with a modern panelled bath, pedestal basin, WC and half tiled walls. Bedroom two has two built-in double wardrobe cupboards. Bedroom three is a smaller double bedroom. Bedroom four is a double size room with a built-in wardrobe cupboard and a view over the garden. Bedroom five is currently used as a small sitting room and has a built-in cupboard. Bedroom six is a single size bedroom with built-in wardrobe cupboards. The family bathroom has a cast bath, pedestal basin, WC and partly tiled walls. Separate WC.

Outside, the property is approached from the highway by two separate driveways. The lower driveway has a concrete hardstanding area, 5-bar gate on brick piers, and a detached double garage with asbestos gabled roof. There is parking for 3-4 vehicles. The second driveway has ledged and braced gates that lead to a paved driveway providing parking for several vehicles and leads to a single garage and workshop with an up-and-over door. Adjacent garden workshop.

The garden lies mainly to the east side of the cottage and is private. The main garden area comprises of a large rectangular flat lawn, enclosed by brick capped walling and close boarded fencing with mixed hedgerows. Two apple trees. Large shrub bed with a wealth of specimen trees and shrubs. The lower garden has stone steps, leads to an upper lawn which is smaller with a prunus, fruit trees, roses, and paved pathways. The gardens are a feature of the cottage.

The picturesque market town of Wimborne Minster is centred around a charming town square and boasts a lively shopping area featuring both independent shops and national chain stores, a good range of pubs and restaurants, the Tivoli theatre/cinema and the historic Minster church. There are state schools for all ages, and the surrounding area is well served by both grammar and independent schools. There is easy access by road to the coastal towns of Poole and Bournemouth, both of which have mainline rail links to London Waterloo. Beautiful countryside surrounds the town and Dorset’s stunning beaches are within easy reach.