Shillingstone Lane, Okeford Fitzpaine, Blandford Forum, DT11

A CHARMING AND BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED DETACHED COTTAGE SURROUNDED BY A WONDERFUL GARDEN Downs Cottage is a picturesque grade II listed property that has been much improved over the years and is now a charming and extremely comfortable home with great character and some fine original features. The exposed cruck beams and beautifully carved oak bressummer above the inglenook suggest the cottage could date way back to the early 16th century. Downs Cottage has been home to our clients for more than 20 years and in that time they have comprehensively restored and cleverly extended the cottage so it now offers over 2,200 sq ft of well organised and attractively presented accommodation which comprises a large main reception room with inglenook fireplace off which there is an entrance lobby, a study and the dining room with a passage leading through to the most recent extension which is a superb family kitchen breakfast room. A separate utility room and cloakroom/shower room complete the ground floor and upstairs there are 3 good double bedrooms and 2 bathrooms (1 ensuite). The cottage has been extremely well maintained and upgraded over the years, the heating and wiring are all less than 20 years old, and the thatch has been well cared for, it was re roofed about 16 years ago and re ridged in 2019. And as we always mention, Okeford Fitzpaine is one of the few villages in this part of Dorset to benefit from all mains services, so gas central heating and no septic tank, which all go to make this charming cottage with its beautiful garden, a very practical and easy home to manage. Our clients have shown great skill and worked tirelessly over the years to create a wonderful garden which we know will add enormously to the pleasure of owning Downs Cottage. The centre piece to the garden is a series of rambling traditionally stocked borders which provide a fabulous display of colour throughout the year. Adjacent to this part of the garden and immediately behind the cottage is a stone terrace in front of the kitchen and the day to day entrance to the cottage. From here paths lead round to the front garden which has a neat lawn and more traditional rose beds and in the other direction onto a gravel courtyard and parking area in front of an impressive Oak framed outbuilding which is currently divided to form a glasshouse/conservatory, secure workshop/store with access to the attic and a double carport. With some imagination and the appropriate planning consent it may be possible to convert this outbuilding into a separate annexe. The garden extends to about ¼ of an acre and on two sides there are additional areas of ground (small grass paddocks with fruit trees and a vegetable garden) totalling about ½ an acre, which have for many years been leased for a modest rent. The Estate Trustees have indicated that they would be happy for this lease to continue. Downs Cottage is nicely positioned on the edge of Okeford Fitzpaine, a popular and thriving village surrounded by some of the prettiest countryside in this part of the south of England. The village has a busy shop and post office, a pub (The Royal Oak) a primary school, active church and village hall. More local facilities are nearby in Sturminster Newton, and it is only a short drive into Blandford Forum with its Georgian market square, an M&S Food Hall, Tesco and Lidl superstores, or in the other direction to Sherborne with its pretty shopping streets and Waitrose. Nearby Gillingham station has a regular train service to London Waterloo (about 2 hours) and the A303 lies about 17 miles to the north bringing London within reasonable driving distance via the A303/M3. This part of the West Country has become well known for its highly rated schools at all levels, and as well as the primary school in the village, Sturminster Newton and Gillingham both have good state secondary schools, and independent schools in the area include Bryanston, Milton Abbey, Clayesmore and Sherborne as well as Sandroyd, Hanford, Knighton House and Port Regis prep schools. There are good opportunities for walking, cycling and riding in the lovely countryside around the village and the coast at Poole Harbour, Studland Bay and along Dorset's renowned Jurassic coastline is under an hour's drive away to the south. All mains services are available at the property. Gas fired central heating (new boiler 2022). Good Broadband.