Winterborne Houghton, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11

A beautifully presented 4 bedroom, 3 reception room, 3 bathroom detached country house with lovely views across open countryside, in this delightful village in the picturesque Winterborne Valley.

Built in 1999 as one of 3 properties on the site of the village shop and bakehouse, the property has been well maintained, and has Karndean and solid French oak floors, oak-faced interior doors, plaster cornice ceilings, UPVC double glazing, alarm system, and oil fired central heating. The house has mains water and electricity, and shares with the 2 adjacent properties a Klargester drainage system which is maintained and serviced annually.

Winterborne Houghton, famed for its natural chalk stream, is set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which is part of the environmentally sensitive Wessex area. Its ancient woodland and downland are designated as an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) for their exceptional flora and fauna. The village has the historic St Andrews Church, and its former watercress farm is now a fish farm. The adjacent village of Winterborne Stickland has The Crown Inn pub/restaurant, and there are many scenic walks and bridleways. There is easy access to spectacular views at Bulbarrow Hill, to the picturesque Dorset village of Milton Abbas, and to the Georgian town of Blandford Forum, approximately 6 miles away, which offers a busy shopping area, supermarkets, schools and a wide range of amenities.

A covered entrance way and front door lead to an attractive reception hall with Karndean flooring, plaster cornice ceiling, under stairs cupboard and recess. There is a study with a solid French oak floor.

From the reception hall, double doors open onto a dining room with a solid French oak floor extending through to the nicely proportioned lounge which features a stone fireplace with an inset wood burning stove. French doors lead out to the rear garden.

The kitchen/breakfast room has an excellent range of Shaker style units, ample worktops, Britannia electric range cooker (with induction hob and double oven), cooker hood, Bosch integrated dishwasher, water softener, space and plumbing for washing machine and tumble dryer, space for American style fridge-freezer, and space for table and chairs. A door leads to a rear lobby with a side door to the garden, and a cloakroom with WC, wash basin and half tiled walls.

A staircase with turned spindles leads to the first floor landing which has loft access and an airing cupboard. Bedroom 1 has an excellent range of built-in wardrobes and an en suite shower room comprising WC, wash basin and shower cubicle, and a towel radiator.

Bedroom 2 has an en suite shower room with shower, wash basin, WC and towel radiator. Bedroom 3 is a double room with fine views across to open countryside, and bedroom 4 also enjoys delightful views. The family bathroom comprises bath, wash basin, WC and towel radiator.

The property is approached off a block paved private driveway serving 3 properties, and a 5-bar gate gives access to a gravelled driveway providing ample off road parking. There is a double garage with electric up-and-over door, a pitched roof providing ample eaves storage space, lighting, power points and a personal side door.

The front garden is predominantly lawned, with a selection of shrubs. The private drainage system is in an enclosed area to the rear of the garage.

There is access at either side of the house to the rear garden which features a paved terrace, water tap, brick and sleeper retaining walls, raised flower beds, external oil central heating boiler, and timber shed. The gardens are well maintained and adjoin open countryside.

From Blandford, proceed along Fairmile Road to Winterborne Stickland. Turn right to Winterborne Houghton. Proceed past Houghton Springs Fish Farm on the left, and the property can be found on the right hand side, opposite the bridlepath to Glebe Farm.